Looking for a Laptop for the Kids - $500 - $700

LMaximumEffort777 on 03/12/2016 - 21:13

Hey folks,

Just looking for some opinions and/or recommendations on a laptop for our kids to share, meaning it's going to get a lot of use between the four of them. Gaming wise there won't be much of that outside of sites like Mathletics and Friv etc but there will no doubt be a heap of general web browsing and YouTube use so I want something that's going to do the job easily without heat being an issue but without going overboard on features not needed. Programs like Word will be used pretty heavily for school work as well so being able to switch between numerous tabs without the slowdown would be ideal.

I'm happy to upgrade the SSD and RAM myself later if I can pick up a laptop at the right price that doesn't have those things and while I know the Dell outlet has some nicely priced laptops pop up from time-to-time but being that it's going to be a Xmas present we don't want to give them a refurb/2nd hand laptop. So if anyone can point me in the right direction of specific laptops that will fit the bill it would be greatly appreciated.

Budget wise anything between $500-$700 would be ideal, obviously without skimping on quality and durability, the cheaper the better as long as it meets the needs.

Thanks in advance :)

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 03/12/2016 - 21:24
    +2

    but being that it's going to be a Xmas present we don't want to give them a refurb/2nd hand laptop

    You don't have to tell the kids it was a refurb. Actually, many dell refurbs come with nary a scratch and look as pristine as new laptops.

    If you want to get the shiny new feeling by walking into a retail store and picking the laptop up for the 'shopping experience' you're only going to pay the higher markup and profit margins, not to mention being being forced to take up the extended warranty option by crafty salespeople (like me!)

    that being said the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 series usually go for $319 during eBay specials and it comes pre-equipped with a 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM and a Pentium N3710 quad core processor (which is pretty decent). With your budget you could buy two and have change left over for a Office 365 subscription…

    The Thinkpad E560 has also been on clearance sale at least fourteen times in the last few months and they are frequently around $600~800.
    See also E460 (expired deal)

    • MaximumEffort777 on 03/12/2016 - 21:55

      You don't have to tell the kids it was a refurb. Actually, many dell refurbs come with nary a scratch and look as pristine as new laptops.

      Is there a way of knowing and/or seeing before buying though? I'd happily go a refurb if it still looked new.

      being forced to take up the extended warranty option by crafty salespeople (like me!)

      I say no to this before it's even offered so that's not an issue.

      With your budget you could buy two and have change left over for a Office 365 subscription…

      Well we certainly don't need two but it does seem like a very good price when discounted.

      The Thinkpad E560 has also been on clearance sale at least fourteen times

      I should have just grabbed this one the other day when I saw it for $699.

      I probably should have mentioned I'd prefer at least a 14" screen. Hopefully something pops up in the next week or so to get in before Xmas.

      Thanks for the reply scrimshaw, it's greatly appreciated.

      • scrimshaw on 03/12/2016 - 21:59

        forgot to add
        E560 is a 15 inch laptop
        e460 is a 14 inch laptop

        • MaximumEffort777 on 03/12/2016 - 22:01

          Cheers.

          Both would be suitable so it just depends on what comes up and when it comes up.

          Thanks again.

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