Racer's Lounge - Best laptop for my budget?

Hello! I need a laptop! My budget is around $5-600 (I'll pay more if needed). It needs a CD drive, memory card slot, USB drives, and HDMI Port. more than 600gb, and has to be a very quick computer which is nearly impossible to freeze. I don't care about it's applications, if it can do my work for me. But i need something for writing alot of essay's, etc. I can pay alot more than my budget, but i am one of those guys that don't like spending 1k in a damn computer.

You will most likely break $600. But plenty under $700 with those features.

Check out Best Buy. I like the Toshiba P745-S4320. Even has a Blu-Ray drive.

I almost got one before I decided to give in and buy my MacBook Pro last week. My first Apple since the IIe. I'm hooked. (I'll still be running Windows through the dual boot feature, I have to use software not available on Mac)

Here is a link:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+/+14%26%2334%3B+Display+/+6GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive+-+Platinum/3438674.p?id=1218402124372&skuId=3438674

How are you liking the pro? What kind of processor? How much did you pay for it? I went to apple and almost bought the i7 13.3 screen for $1500 today. I thought about it for 15 minutes then said i can always come back, let me do some research. I have the money to spend it, i just don't want to.

Lenovo in my opinion builds the best budget laptops on the market, not the flashiest but they topped the 2011 charts for reliability ratings, followed by Asus and then Apple. I repair laptops from 9-5 every week day and have the most issues out of HP's, but then again we only own Dell's and HP's.

Inb4 apple fan boys, OP said nothing about owning a sweater vest and making daily trips to starbucks, he won't fit in.

The iPad 2 also caught my eye. Sideways, i can type on it just as fast as i can type on a computer, it's light weight, sexy (to me), very easy to carry around and use while walking, comes with warranty for a year and additional for only 70 bucks, and was pretty damn fast when i used it. I also have a printer on network so that's a ++. Any body suggest one?? I can get one for 500 bucks.

Lenovo in my opinion builds the best budget laptops on the market, not the flashiest but they topped the 2011 charts for reliability ratings, followed by Asus and then Apple. I repair laptops from 9-5 every week day and have the most issues out of HP's, but then again we only own Dell's and HP's.

Inb4 apple fan boys, OP said nothing about owning a sweater vest and making daily trips to starbucks, he won't fit in.

My cousin has one of those and literally has 30 tabs running at the same time, and it never freezes. That's on my list too. I am in the market because of my stupid HP. I will never buy another one again..

I got the i5 13" model with absolutely no upgrades. The aluminum body is what sold me. I love it. The OS is simple to figure out. It is pretty intuitive. The thing is fast. Darn fast. I have no regret in buying it. I got it straight through Apple because they offer a $100 student discount, which was better than the $60 discount Best Buy offers online.

My old Toshiba is five and a half years old now and still works great, but it is showing its age.

I'm a cheap skate too and that is why I decided on the Mac. It will run windows pretty darn good and seems to have a really long lifespan.

I love my ASUS , they were making internal components for top brands long before making their own machines , hence not a big name but good bang for the buck , 2.5 years and I still love it BTW and i hope this doesnt jinx me but never been in for service....

hmm, i heard people couldn't stand the i5 processor. I never understood why, so i never bothered screwing around with one. I guess i'll be making another trip to apple tomorrow. How did you get the student discount??

I love my ASUS , they were making internal components for top brands long before making their own machines , hence not a big name but good bang for the buck , 2.5 years and I still love it BTW and i hope this doesnt jinx me but never been in for service....

What kind of ASUS? Memory card slot,hdmi port, cd drive, etc.?

hmm, i heard people couldn't stand the i5 processor. I never understood why, so i never bothered screwing around with one. I guess i'll be making another trip to apple tomorrow. How did you get the student discount??

I use i5 dual core processors in all my Honeywell Experion Station terminals with XP Pro OS. This proprietary system is extremely processor intensive and the i5 handles everything flawlessly. This is while running LabView and Matlab on them with the interface system at the same time and four monitors per terminal with VBScript heavy graphics.

As for the Macbook, I ordered it online at Apple's website directly. Not only did I get the discount, shipping was free.

I use i5 dual core processors in all my Honeywell Experion Station terminals with XP Pro OS. This proprietary system is extremely processor intensive and the i5 handles everything flawlessly. This is while running LabView and Matlab on them with the interface system at the same time and four monitors per terminal with VBScript heavy graphics.

As for the Macbook, I ordered it online at Apple's website directly. Not only did I get the discount, shipping was free.

Lmao, so all you had to do is say you were a student? No proof?

HP user over here. Best Buy is your best bet unless you have a MicroCenter by you too.

Lmao, so all you had to do is say you were a student? No proof?

None whatsoever. Just picked my school from the drop down list. But, for the record, I am a student. So, I didn't violate the terms agreement.

I'd say if you lived in a big city like LA, Miami, or New York you could find an awesome deal on almost new but used laptops on Craigslist.. I found a new Toshiba lap top of line for $400 just the other day.. In stores new this laptop sells for $800..

I personally like the Toshiba Satellite's. I really like the Sony's V's but those are bank.. Toshiba's are Affordable, reliable and user friendly.. I think you can get a new one for around $600.. Core duo and the works..

My old Toshiba is five and a half years old now and still works great, but it is showing its age.

Dan, mines 5 years old too and runs like a champ.. Upgraded the ram and hard drive a few years ago and it's still runs fast and efficient.. Had a problem with the power cord and that's it.. I live on this Toshiba too daily.. Never crashed, overheated or anything in 5 years!!!! I really abuse this thing too..

My buddy's Dells and others after 3 or 4 years are busting up internally.. I'm just rolling along with my Toshiba Sat...

I'm sold these are the best laptops on the market for the price.. I'm gonna buy a new Toshiba Sat again any day now and keep this old one as a back up..

TOSHIBA ROCKS!!!! I have other friends and family members with top of the line Macs and Sony Vios and those are the elite of laptops from what I've seen but also 3 times the price..

^ A friend of mine bought a Toshiba that crashed in less then a week, could've been a bad bash though, heard they're pretty good.

Dan, mines 5 years old too and runs like a champ.. Upgraded the ram and hard drive a few years ago and it's still runs fast and efficient.. Had a problem with the power cord and that's it.. I live on this Toshiba too daily..

My buddy's Dells and others after 3 or 4 years are busting up internally.. I'm just rolling along with my Toshiba Sat...

I'm sold these are the best laptops on the market for the price.. I'm gonna buy a new Toshiba Sat again any day now and keep this old one as a back up..

TOSHIBA ROCKS!!!! My buddies have top of the line Macs and Sony Vios and those are elite of laptops from what I've seen but also 3 times the price..

That's why I recommended one (the one in the link of my first post is pure sex for the money), I have had nothing but excellent experiences with them. I first got hooked on them when I first started working in industry over 15 years ago. Many of the laptops I used were Toshibas and they were just solid workhorses.

Like I said, mine is showing wear, but everything on it works great. Even faster than the better spec'd HP monster a friend of mine bought about 2 years ago. When we put them side by side and compared the two, the Toshiba consistently performed faster. Not to mention this Toshiba is running an AMD Turion against his Intel (can't remember model, Duo comes to mind for some reason).

Had I not broke down and fell into the Mac crowd (long story, but it has to do with the fact I'm tired of having to work to get Android, Windows, my network drives, etc. all synced together), I would have bought that Toshiba in the link. Good computer for a fair price.

^^ Yep I tried same year HP Pavilions, Dells and others and the Toshiba Sat is what I ended up sticking with..Glad I did!!!

I just hope the newer Toshiba's are built as good as the older ones.. I have no way to tell other then reading reviews off google.. I will stick with AMD processors and not the intel I5's too..

I'm trying to get this guy to give it up for $250...

It's not as stacked as the new one for $650 at best buys, actually $700 with tax.. However, I'd bet this AMD runs almost as fast as the I5 processor....

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/2751425717.html

Going to look at the first toshiba posted tomorrow. So right now on my list is:
Ipad 2
Toshiba - Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 14" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive - Platinum
Macbook pro
Lenovo

Keep the suggestions coming!! Thanks!!

Check out newegg...

Asus is probably your best bang for your dollar, do yourself a favor and don't buy anything Apple.

Check out newegg...

Asus is probably your best bang for your dollar, do yourself a favor and don't buy anything Apple.

You're not the first to tell me that...

You're not the first to tell me that...

Here check this one out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230130

That's exactly what i need. Still shopping though.

Asus U52F??

I have a Lenovo T420 issued by my work with Windows 7 Enterprise; it been great so far, no real complaints. It's not nearly as quick as my desktop (which is to be expected) and the screen is a bit small but it performs well and seems reliable. My desktop is an i5 760, 8gb ram, 560Ti, SSD, etc.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd.aspx one of the best

Asus U52F??

Either or man, with an Asus you cannot go wrong. They've been one of the top motherboard manufacturers for years. More often then not whatever you get will be a great product.

What kind of ASUS? Memory card slot,hdmi port, cd drive, etc.?

K601 , doesnt have hdmi but didnt know at the time I would want that , next machine will be another asus with hdmi , my wife & daughter both have hp's of similar vintage and they are turds - good thing we got black tie on my daughters for college at best buy , they have replaced it twice and been in for a week or more at least 4 times , she borrows mine so she can do her schoolwork whenever hers is in for service - if she was in this thread she would tell you to get an asus lol - got here an i pad for christmas with the understanding when she needs my laptop I get that at least ....

I am going to meet this guy on craigslist for a u52f, he is asking 350obo and said first come first serve. So i am hoping i can get it for around 200-250. That way, i have nothing to lose if i don't like the computer. It has a 15 inch screen, an Intel i5 processor, 4gb of DDR3 RAM, and a 640gb hard drive. What do you guys think??? Going to meet him at 12.

you know I bargain shop for about everything and do a lot purchasing off craigs list but am hesitant on a computer , not because its going to have an issue but more because of what it might have on it ....

god forbid you buy it and someone had kiddie porn on it and it becomes a legal issue for you somehow , maybe just paranoia on my part but I had a co worker that got railroaded into jail by a pissed off ex girlfriend due to content he claims she planted there to screw him and he is now a registerred sex offender for life yes due to content on his computer not actual sexual contact

I am going to meet this guy on craigslist for a u52f, he is asking 350obo and said first come first serve. So i am hoping i can get it for around 200-250. That way, i have nothing to lose if i don't like the computer. It has a 15 inch screen, an Intel i5 processor, 4gb of DDR3 RAM, and a 640gb hard drive. What do you guys think??? Going to meet him at 12.

You can't lose at that price...

Even if you end up hating the computer after the purchase you can always put it right back up for sale on craigslist and probably make $50 or $100 off it in the end.. Great way to test out computers and still make a few bucks..

You have to be aggressive and persistent with finding the great deal, then you have to be very patient with the sale to get full price and make a few bucks....

Just something to consider and think about.. Make sure you fully test out the computer first before handing over the cash too..

you know I bargain shop for about everything and do a lot purchasing off craigs list but am hesitant on a computer , not because its going to have an issue but more because of what it might have on it ....

god forbid you buy it and someone had kiddie porn on it and it becomes a legal issue for you somehow , maybe just paranoia on my part but I had a co worker that got railroaded into jail by a pissed off ex girlfriend due to content he claims she planted there to screw him and he is now a registerred sex offender for life yes due to content on his computer not actual sexual contact

Delete all files when you first get your used computer. Especially on the "C" drive.. Try system reset or restore from day one as well..

Save the ad too as a source of proof as to where and whom you bought the computer from if you are that paranoid...

Lastly it really takes alot for a law enforcement agency to execute a full search warrant to confiscate your personal computer just from word of mouth from an angry X.. Rumor of kiddy porn or murder videos probably isn't going to be enough to bring Sheriff John Brown down on your ass..

Relax..

Not to hijack the thread, but I think this is just a general question. What is considered the best processor on the market right now in laptops? I5, duo core, etc. I'm curious and I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject..

Not to hijack the thread, but I think this is just a general question. What is considered the best processor on the market right now in laptops? I5, duo core, etc. I'm curious and I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject..

i7 quad core (actually six core, the last two aren't enabled by intel....most likely for future upgrade)

god forbid you buy it and someone had kiddie porn on it and it becomes a legal issue for you somehow , maybe just paranoia on my part but I had a co worker that got railroaded into jail by a pissed off ex girlfriend due to content he claims she planted there to screw him and he is now a registerred sex offender for life yes due to content on his computer not actual sexual contact

huh? lmao. There are more than millions of kids that watch porn, why do you think there is such thing as Teen pregnancy?

Asus U50F here, not top of the line but 100% better then my last laptop which was a HP. 2 years and no problems other then a battery replacement.

Picked up a brand new iPad 2 64gb white for $500 bucks out of the door. If I can find something better I'll give this to my mom or my dad.

Very nice, congratulations.

Plan on getting a couple for my wife and myself in the next month or so.

Let me know, this guy I bought them from is a supplier and I told him I will want a few more soon.

Toshiba satellite. Love mine.

Picked up a brand new iPad 2 64gb white for $500 bucks out of the door. If I can find something better I'll give this to my mom or my dad.

This is rather upsetting to hear.

This is rather upsetting to hear.

Look at what they run for eBay, also look at how much apple has them for sale, and don't forget to add the tax, then tell me that's upsetting ;)

Look at what they run for eBay, also look at how much apple has them for sale, and don't forget to add the tax, then tell me that's upsetting ;)

The price is very good, but the product on the other-hand is equal to a $250 netbook.

The price is very good, but the product on the other-hand is equal to a $250 netbook.

Ah yes, but that netbook doesn't have an aluminum unibody and a picture of pre-eaten fruit on it, now does it? :D

Buy HP. Best laptops IMO and customer support is phenom.

Ah yes, but that netbook doesn't have an aluminum unibody and a picture of pre-eaten fruit on it, now does it? :D

Buy HP. Best laptops IMO and customer support is phenom.

Like I said before, my old hp is the reason why I am in the market for a new computer. I am not getting a hp, again. The iPad is perfect for entertainment purposes. I love it so far. I even got my dad thinking about buying one. If I don't like it I can sell it for 600. Apple has them for sale 700 without taxes.

I just got an ASUS X54C BBK5 after having 4 Dells's and so far I like this laptop and not a bad deal at $400.