Looking for a first laptop for around $750

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mattwnz

20180 posts

Uber Geek

#1326750 17-Jun-2015 18:46

gzt: Well you can get lucky but you have to be patient and watch the specials across many retailers for a few weeks. If you have time its the best way.

I also suspect there maybe some good deals with windows 10 is released, as retailers may want to get rid of old windows 8 models. But to get the best deal and best bag for buck, waiting to specials is the best idea, unless you need it now.

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#1326785 17-Jun-2015 20:00

Sort out you minimum specs, and then just troll the internet for prices. You should be able to get a fairly robust 15" for that price. Last 2 I purchased was an i3 with 750Gb HDD and 4Gb ram for $700. Son has happily been on-line gaming on that for a while. Just picked up an i7 1Tb and 8Gb HP machine for $920. Damn nice machine.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Thomas18b

13 posts

Geek

#1326816 17-Jun-2015 21:21

Would you recommend an i5 with 4+GB RAM and 750+GB strorage.

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#1326859 17-Jun-2015 22:15

Thomas18b: Would you recommend an i5 with 4+GB RAM and 750+GB strorage.

Should be enough for most computing needs and some light gaming. 8GB ram would be better, perhaps try to get them to upgrade as part of the deal?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Thomas18b

13 posts

Geek

#1326954 18-Jun-2015 07:06

Would anyone reccomend the Acer Travelmate 14" Business i5 8GB 500G Windows 8

SPECIFICATIONS -

* Operating System: Windows 8
* Screen: 14" 1366x768 LED LCD

* Processor: Intel Core i5-4200U 1.6GHz up to 2.6GHz 3MB cache
* Memory: 8GB DDR3 Memory (2 x 4Gb)

* HDD: 500GB 5400rpm
* Optical Drive: DVD-Super Multi DL drive

* Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4400 with 128 MB of dedicated system memory
* Ports: Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port

* External display: (VGA) port
* HDMI port with HDCP support

* USB 3.0 port
* Combo audio jack compatible with phone headsets

* Two USB 2.0 ports
* Network & Connectivity: Acer Nplify 802.11a/g/n + Bluetooth4.0 + WIDI

* Weight (incld battery): 2.1kg
* Battery Life: 4 cell lithiumion

* Dimensions: 342 (W) x 245 (D) x 14.4/25.3 (H) mm
* Brand New NZ Local Product, Comes with 12 Months Acer Official Warranty.

Sideface

9365 posts

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#1326965 18-Jun-2015 07:43

Thomas18b: Would anyone reccomend the Acer Travelmate 14" Business i5 8GB 500G Windows 8

Looks good value on paper, if you don't mind the screen resolution.
Don't buy blind - have a look at one before you buy.

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littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1327051 18-Jun-2015 09:27

It'll be perfectly fine for surfing, word processing, general day to day stuff. You'll be able to run middle-of-the-road games on it (Minecraft would run fine). There are loads of indie games that don't require masses of grunt in the graphics department. But if there's anything you particularly want to play that specifies a dedicated graphics card (as opposed to shared integrated graphics like the Intel HD on the above machine) then you might be disappointed. Both of those sets of minimum requirement specs you posted earlier specified dedicated graphics cards. You are going to struggle to find an i5 with 8GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card for your budget, so you might have to give up on the more graphics intensive games.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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