Not today not tomorrow or the week after but looking to upgrade from a 2019 ASUS Chromebook in the next 2-3 months. This current machine lives mainly on corded power surprisingly battery health is around 73% and can do basic tasks off the charger and still provide decent battery life. YouTube videos will nibble away much sooner at the battery life. This machine still gets updates runs somewhat snappy, but have been noticing key stroke input, and it will bog down once in a while with a hiccup close programs out, and it will be fine. Was also wondering if maybe the physical keys on the keyboard were starting to show their age nothing was ever spilled on the machine. And it rarely goes outside the house so abuse is minimal. Thought about replacing it with another Chromebook but also given thought of a Windows 11 machine what brands would you all computer savvy folk recommend would like to be in the $3 to 400 ballpark. My main use is YouTube, web browsing and some stock stuff but that’s basically under the web browsing category. Current Chromebook is a 14” wouldn’t mind bumping up to a 15.6 for a full numerical key pad. ???
New laptop
- Thread starter DCDG
- Start date
What's your budget.
$3-400 new stuff is pretty much all trash.
If you’re moving to a windows system don’t buy anything with less than 16GB of RAM.
Go used… Ensure it has an NVMe SSD and is new enough to officially support windows 11.
If you don’t care too much about the quality of screen (the base option screens in most business grade laptops suck although nice ones are an option many businesses don’t pay for that) and speakers a used/refurb ThinkPad is often a nice route to go. eBay is a good source BUT inspect the condition carefully… often these are off lease business laptops that have been abused. But also plenty of really nice ones!
If screen and speakers matter a Mac is always a good choice but personally not my cup of tea. You’ll just have to look up reviews for what you’re considering.
If you can up your budget to get a good new system, maybe in the $750 range, check out Just Josh on YouTube. Excellent laptop reviews.
If you’re moving to a windows system don’t buy anything with less than 16GB of RAM.
Go used… Ensure it has an NVMe SSD and is new enough to officially support windows 11.
If you don’t care too much about the quality of screen (the base option screens in most business grade laptops suck although nice ones are an option many businesses don’t pay for that) and speakers a used/refurb ThinkPad is often a nice route to go. eBay is a good source BUT inspect the condition carefully… often these are off lease business laptops that have been abused. But also plenty of really nice ones!
If screen and speakers matter a Mac is always a good choice but personally not my cup of tea. You’ll just have to look up reviews for what you’re considering.
If you can up your budget to get a good new system, maybe in the $750 range, check out Just Josh on YouTube. Excellent laptop reviews.
is it longevity of updates etc. what will a $750 machine do over a $400 one for web browsing and watching some YouTube now and then. I could see leaning towards a refurb for these basic computing tasks.
I was looking at this machine but hear now stay away with machines under 16gb ram.. I remember yesteryear AMD were a decently ram hungry processor still any truth to that? Maybe my pocket and general use is more on the Chromebook level.
The upcoming Prime day before Black Friday is a good time to buy a Windows 11 budget laptop.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV5ZSR17?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1
A lot of laptops in the $3-400 range that aren't junk for the OP's need. Just keep it updated and you will be fine. I have lived for 2 years with a $ 300 unit I bought for $222 on Black Friday. Its been wonderful laptop with a real IPS screen, i3 Intel, 128gb storage with over half still free. I quit buying $6-700 laptops, they don't last any longer and full of stuff I don't need or want.. This is what I bought and its better than my Lenovo, with a much better screen. This is a lot more than I paid due to memory and import fees I guess. The 8gb RAM has caused no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV5ZSR17?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1
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Best Buy has a better 15.6 Lenovo Chromebook with a bit more resolution and an IPS panel on sale for $399 in store and online.
Take a look at Best Buy. They are selling a variety of refurbs laptops and Chromebooks for under 300. See if any suits your needs.
$300-400 will be “you get what you pay for” territory if you know what I mean. For web browser and YouTube duty, how about an iPad?
Even in 2019, that CPU was fairly weak, but OK for a Chromebook since low power consumption was key. It is ancient by today's standards.
I have a fire hd 10 (2021) release for those tasks when we travel and bedside use. I like the physical keyboard and computer experience when I am at my kitchen island.
