I Need a Cheap Laptop

[FitnessBrat]

My MacBook is acting up, crashing, etc. I need to buy something else so that I can take the Mac in and have it looked at, but I can not be without a computer for days or weeks. My school and everything is all done online.

I like the idea of having a backup, and my son can use it as well. I'm just not sure what I should get. It doesn't need to have anything specific because I'll really just be using Word and the internet.

Any recommendations?

[Bouncer]

Could always go with a chromebook. It has all the basics for online and it's made for school and University. Cheap too at $150. Check out the reviews, people seem to love it. I've never used one though.

Amazon.com : Acer Chromebook, 11.6-Inch, CB3-111-C670 (Intel Celeron, 2GB, 16GB SSD, White) : Computers & Accessories

[FitnessBrat]

I looked into one before, but I think I'd rather have a "real" laptop instead. I also looked at that HP Stream, but a lot of people complain that the storage is so small it's hard to run. I wish I at least knew someone with one to get a trusted opinion.

[Bouncer]

If your worried about extra storage you can always easily buy a USB flash drive. You literally just plug in and it works.


http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Turbo-128G...sb+flash+drive

[Chadd77]

If you're only using it for a backup why not buy used? I bought a couple on craigslist for dirt cheap that lasted for many years.

[Bouncer]

I can't do used tech. Something wrong about it. lol

[BEAST]

Any PC laptop around 300-400 bucks with an Intel processor, 4-8 gig memory and 1tb hard drive will do more than anything you can throw at it.

[FitnessBrat]

I can't do used tech. Something wrong about it. lol

I can't do a used laptop :panic:

[AvidFisherman]

Can you do a refurbished? Dell refurbished has some good deals.

[Turbo3000]

Used Lenovo G50 AMD A8 Quad 16" Laptop for $156 + free shipping - 80E30181US

Used but cheap. I've never had a problem with used electronics. I would rather the original buyer take the depreciation hit.

[FitnessBrat]

After chatting with my engineer brother, I ended up just going with the HP Stream I mentioned above. It was cheap, had excellent reviews, and seemed fine for what I needed.

It came today. I had to get the purple because I didn't want to wait, and WOW, this thing is bright :laugh: I like the size (I got the 13.3 inch) and it's lightweight. It definitely is going to take some getting used to because I've been on a Mac the last 4 years. The track pad is annoying because certain areas you touch bring up different things and I keep accidentally doing that. I may need to switch to a mouse (I don't use one on my Mac). I'm also not familiar with Windows 8, but it came with a free year of Office365, and I really needed Word, etc.

Overall, I'm pleased so far. I'm still going to send in my Mac because EVERYthing is on there and I hope it still has life left.

[Turbo3000]

After chatting with my engineer brother, I ended up just going with the HP Stream I mentioned above. It was cheap, had excellent reviews, and seemed fine for what I needed.

It came today. I had to get the purple because I didn't want to wait, and WOW, this thing is bright :laugh: I like the size (I got the 13.3 inch) and it's lightweight. It definitely is going to take some getting used to because I've been on a Mac the last 4 years. The track pad is annoying because certain areas you touch bring up different things and I keep accidentally doing that. I may need to switch to a mouse (I don't use one on my Mac). I'm also not familiar with Windows 8, but it came with a free year of Office365, and I really needed Word, etc.

Overall, I'm pleased so far. I'm still going to send in my Mac because EVERYthing is on there and I hope it still has life left.

Nice.

Apple makes the best track pad in the business. I can't use track pad on other laptops.

[Bouncer]

Why the fuck didn't it come with Windows 10? 8 is universally agreed to be terrible.

[Bouncer]

Upgrade to 10 immediately. It's free via windows update.

[FitnessBrat]

Upgrade to 10 immediately. It's free via windows update.

It asked me, but I didn't do it yet. My brother thought 8 might be better coming from Apple? I don't know anything about either of them, so....:dunno: