Best Laptop Circa $400

subywagon on 09/03/2017 - 22:59
Last edited 10/03/2017 - 09:48 by 1 other user

A friend wants a laptop for RuneScape and general web stuff.

What works be the best deal at the moment for around $400?

Thanks

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  hell0 on 09/03/2017 - 23:12

  I don't know but this interests me too. Add any answers below!

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  scrimshaw on 09/03/2017 - 23:13

  You'd be looking at perhaps a refurbished laptop. Probably a Thinkpad T430 if you want the CPU/GPU performance. Checking on ebay, that's around $299 ~ $350 delivered.

  Currently $400 would not get you a 'laptop' more like a laptop with netbook type specifications (Apollo Lake or Cherry Trail processor)

  For e.g Dell Inspiron 11 3000 series with Pentium N3710 (lowest price on Ozbargain: $319 dollars)

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  subywagon on 09/03/2017 - 23:20

  I think they could probably go to $450, maybe $500.

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  jasonbon818 on 09/03/2017 - 23:22

  best bargain you can get is the anything about $300 then upgrade with an ssd and extra ram for $100
  make sure it runs before u open up the laptop, cuz it mostly will void the warranty

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  Riczter on 10/03/2017 - 01:14

  Like scrimshaw said the Dell Inspiron 11 which comes up on sale for $319 quite often is going to be your best bet. has an SSD which is very rare for a budget laptop, and 4GB RAM, performance is very good for the price.

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  subywagon on 10/03/2017 - 07:54

  Thanks for the input guys. I've found this Lenovo Thinkpad T430 i5 3320M 2.6GHZ 8GB 240GB SSD DVDRW 14, for $364.98 delivered, or a Dell Inspiron 11.6" IPS Touch-Screen Tablet 128gb SSD 4Gb Ram Laptop Win10 for $314. Both are second hand.

  Which would be the best bang for buck?

  Thanks

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    sumoyoshi on 10/03/2017 - 09:26

    dont get a touchscreen

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      d1s34s3d on 10/03/2017 - 15:50

      Touchscreens are awesome. Got a tablet laptop combo (removable keyboard) a little while ago and would have to say the addition of a touchscreen is beyond useful.
      Can you provide any reasons why not to get one?

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        sumoyoshi on 10/03/2017 - 15:52

        less battery life, heavier screen, having to reach across the keyboard to touch anything, crappy viewing angles

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        scrimshaw on 10/03/2017 - 18:46

        @sumoyoshi:

        viewing angles are dependant on the type of display technology used for the LCD panel.

        If IPS it's not an issue, if it's a cheap Twisted Nematic panel then it'll be shitty and horrible.

        the heavier display is a given since there's more electronics and a glass layer for the digitizer, but in effect you are also paying an extra premium for said touchscreen, and if the laptop is a 'hybrid' convertible device or a detachable type, it may be not as powerful as a traditional clamshell notebook.

        The Inspiron 11 2-in-1 convertible for e.g is also not very powerful, and will struggle with anything heavier than normal web browsing, media streaming or basic everyday tasks. It's also fanless and will overheat if pushed to the limit.

        You'd buy something like this for studies/education for example, but maybe not if you want to play games on it.

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  d1s34s3d on 10/03/2017 - 15:59

  Battery life will be slightly impacted yes. Not greatly though. Never found them to be heavier. In fact my current one is the lightest laptop I've had. Reaching across a keyboard? I don't understand that point at all. Viewing angles will be the same regardless of touchscreen or not.

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  subywagon on 10/03/2017 - 16:10

  The Thinkpad has better specs though?

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    scrimshaw on 10/03/2017 - 17:10

    If your friend is worried about whether it runs Runescape, then yes, he should get the Thinkpad.

    otherwise, most modern Pentium proccessors (circa 2014) can handle web browsing and Office fine.

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  Switchblade88 on 16/03/2017 - 20:33

  Acer Chromebook R11 convertible for $440.

  Awesome? yes. 8hrs of battery? check. Runescape? Probably not.

  If Runescape > Chrome OS THEN [Listed alternative laptop above]

  ELSE Chromebook

  :D