I'm 67 years old, getting ready to retire, and my grandkids obviously know more about computers than I do. What I'm looking for is something simple to surf the Internet, watch games on line, and watch DVD's. I would like to keep it in the $300 price range. Your recommendations and insight are welcomed. Thanks in advance and Geaux Tigers.
I assume that you want at least a 15" screen and Windows OS? Stick with Intel, at least 4GB of memory and 2 50 GB HDD. Asus, Lenovo, (some) HP and (some) Acer are doing the best in the budget arena for laptops. Dell is okay, but I would only purchase equipment from their Enterprise-side of the house. It's made of much better materials and you get good support. I have always been a Toshiba fan, but I hesitate recommending them to just anyone because their Tech Support sets the bar for shitty Tech Support. That being said, here are a couple options (unless you're interested in a 11"-13" Chromebook): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15...90000050007_categoryid$abcat0502000&cp=1&lp=1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231656R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231545R http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...Code=as2&tag=to3wo-20&linkId=TS6UP5N5YLJ466ZV There are a few options out there with smaller screens, but touchscreen options of you think you might enjoy a tablet-feel sometimes... http://www.amazon.com/Asus-X200MA-11-6-inch-Touchscreen-Processor/dp/B00K2XOD8A/?tag=laptopninja-20 http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-Laptop-Celeron-Memory/dp/B00MLKEK2G/?tag=laptopninja-20 http://www.amazon.com/Acer-SW5-011-...ouchscreen/dp/B00K81O3K4/?tag=tabletninja1-20 If you increase your budget by $150, the difference in what you can get is pretty substantial. With Windows, $450 is the sweet spot. Also, I'm a big believer in Asus as you can probably tell. They make most of the components with which other companies build their laptops I am told.
There are probably used laptop stores in your area. You can get more bang for your buck and get something that has been reconditioned and has at least a 90 day guarantee. If you buy something at a big chain store they will pressure you to buy the extended warranty. Don't buy it. Its just money down the drain. Or you could look on Craigslist until you find somebody desperate enough to give you a great deal. Just make sure you meet the seller in a public place like a coffee shop not only for your own safety but so you can check out whether everything works. Coffee shops all have free wifi
Those laptops aren't really "used". People had them for a few days and then returned them. I would never recommend a used laptop to anyone, at least not without replacing the HDD. You don't want to be liable for whatever they downloaded.
Forget Windows. You get what you pay for with a cheap $300 computer. And DVDs are quickly going the way of the VHS. Online movies is what you will be watching in the future. Get a Macbook Air laptop. Small, powerful, and the computer does all the geek work, leaving the creative work to the user. Well built and made to last and once you use the Mac operating system you will never go back. http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/
and $1000, more than 3 times his asking price. Apple makes great stuff, but nowhere near as great as what you pay for it. Easily the biggest rip-off in technology today. Apple is the new Sony. Sure, it's great. The materials, the quality, etc. It's the best on the market. The question to ask is "Do I have to have the best?" No. No, I do not...
But I do. Reliability, ease of use, computing power, ruggedness, ergonomics and style are worth the money to me and a lot of folks. I don't buy cheap shoes, cheap trucks, or cheap computers. To each his own.
