summaryrefslogtreecommitdiff
path: root/wired/published/cheap-laptops.txt
blob: f906eeeff8e2478487576c63f802d0ff872d2688 (plain)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
- action cams 
- portable coffee
- labor day sales
- REI sale update



Low end laptop round up notes

Acer Aspire 5 
Model Name: A515-54-51DJ Part Number: NX.HG5AA.001 $529.99:
    specs:
        Intel Core i5 i5-8265U 1.60 GHz quad core
        Intel UHD Graphics 620
        Screen Size 15.6" LCD IPS 1920 x 1080
        8 GB RAM
        Ports: ethernet, USB, USB-C, HDMI, headphones
    notes:
    - screen is lackluster, not super sharp
    - hard to open from front edge
    - edge is sharp on wrists in some situations
    - tends to be quiet, speakers are weak
    - plenty fast
    - no problems with windows

Acer Chromebook
    - keyboard is nice
    - same screen as Swift 3
    - Micro SD card is flush/recessed 
    - RAM was sufficient for chrome tasks
    - Android apps are still hit or miss, mostly miss
    - Linux on Chromebook works quite well and gives you access to tools you'd need for basic STEM-type courses, though not necessarily compiling software, probably not enough processing power.

Acer Swift 3

Lenovo Chromebook C330

one are the days when a decent laptop would cost you north of $1,000. In this market, manufacturers are inventing new ways to outsell each other, including aggressive price cutting. It's now possible to pick up a full-size or ultraportable Windows 10 notebook with a processor powerful enough for use at home, school, or work, for around $500 to $600. It's also easy to find full-featured Chromebooks and hybrid systems that give you both laptop and tablet functionality in one device for as little as $300.

You should be prepared to compromise, however. While it's certainly possible to find a powerful laptop with a 15-inch screen, you might have to make do with a flimsy keyboard and touchpad. Likewise, you could buy an impeccably made ultraportable that uses an underpowered CPU and a tiny hard drive to achieve its low price.