Looking for basic laptop, for writing/research/general use

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hey everyone. I'm going to be in the market for a new laptop in a couple months or so, and I was hoping to get some recommendations on what to look at. I'm looking to spend less than $500 or so. The bookstore at my college sells HP's, Dell's and Acer's, and due to my student discount, I'd like to try and keep it within those brands, but that isn't set in stone.</p>

<p>I don't need it for anything major...mainly just for writing papers and doing online research, as well as just using for general internet usage (facebook, message boards etc.). In another year or two, I'm going to be taking some computer based math and science classes though, so I will need it for writing algorithms and doing some basic java programming. Nothing too complex though. I'm not a gamer, so that's not a concern for me at all.</p>

<p>Do people prefer AMD or Intel CPU's these days? I haven't bought a computer in quite a while, so I'm out of the loop. In the little bit of research I've done though, I've seen some very good reviews of the newer AMD A-series CPU's.</p>

<p>I've only really looked at HP's so far...these are the two that caught my eye most...</p>

<p>HP</a> Pavilion g6z-2200 Notebook PC | HP Official Store</p>

<p>HP</a> Pavilion g6t-2200 Notebook PC | HP Official Store</p>

<p>They're essentially the same...but one has an AMD and the other Intel. My school sells Acer's, but are they even worth looking at? I've gathered that they're something of a generic brand. I've scoped out some of the Asus and Toshiba models as well...and I like some of those, but I can't get my student discount with those.</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)</p>

2

<p>I’m also looking at this one now…a little bit more than I was wanting to spend, but it’s still within the realm.</p>

<p>[HP</a> ENVY dv6z-7200 Notebook PC | HP Official Store](<a href=“http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/B5Y73AV?HP-ENVY-dv6z-7200-Notebook-PC]HP”>http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/B5Y73AV?HP-ENVY-dv6z-7200-Notebook-PC)</p>

<p>Oh, and I forgot to mention…I’m a double major in math and physics. With an intent to go on to astrophysics or particle physics eventually. Just for the record. :)</p>

3

<p>I just got my son the Dell Inspiron for just over $500 and he’s loving it. You could probably even get a used one for less. It handles all the school stuff and even some AutoCAD. I found it in a great article [Best</a> Student Laptops for School 2012](<a href=“http://www.squidoo.com/student-laptop]Best”>http://www.squidoo.com/student-laptop)</p>

4

<p>Hi, here is a list: [Best</a> ultrabook for college, moderate price, bright design and wide possibilities](<a href=“http://ultrabooksreview.com/best-3-ultrabook/best-3-ultrabooks-for-student/]Best”>http://ultrabooksreview.com/best-3-ultrabook/best-3-ultrabooks-for-student/)
Hope that helped you!</p>

5

<p>thecaptain- That Dell sounds solid…I’ve gotta admit that I’m kinda wary of Dell though. All of my computer nerd friends have told me that Dells are about the worst value out there…and I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about them. They do have some very appealing products though.</p>

<p>drughi-Thanks! I like the looks of that Samsung quite a bit. I’ve been looking at them more lately.</p>