Laptop under 600?

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DaniellaG

New Member
I have a dell inspirion which has a lot of problems so am looking for a new laptop. It will be used for internet and basic programs such as word. I don't play games or things like that. I would rather try a different brand then dell. Also something I could view at a store rather then buy off the net for around $600. Thank you for any advice
 
Will this laptop be primarily used as a desktop replacement, i.e., you keep it mostly at home intead of the need for mobility, or will this be something you will need to carry with you?

We don't know where you live but if you want to view them in person you could go to your local Staples, Office Depot, or Best Buy or a Microcenter if you have one nearby.

I also recommend, if you can, have a friend go with you that has a solid working knowledge of laptops to help you choose wisely. Too often a salesmen will attempt to sell you more than you need and too often they don't know what they speak of.
 
Thank you. I just came from best buy and did not have a good salesperson. Anyhow I saw an asus and a gateway. I liked the asus better. There was a dell too but I am concerned cause of how many problems I have had. I feel more confused now.The computer will be used at home mostly but if I went on vacation I would like to take it. I don't want a super small screen though. The asus was a 15.6 which is as small of a screen I would want.
 
The Newegg Gateway that daisymtc linked us to is a really nice deal. For some reason the Best Buy links did not work on directing me to the actual product.

@ DaniellaG - can you link us to what you were looking at in Best Buy?
 
Thank you both. I could not open those links either and don't know how to post them. There were 2 one is called asus core for 599 and the other is asus pentium 479. The gateway looks nice though. I just was not sure of the brand.
 
DaniellaG said:
Thank you both. I could not open those links either and don't know how to post them. There were 2 one is called asus core for 599 and the other is asus pentium 479. The gateway looks nice though. I just was not sure of the brand.
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If you can get the model number for both we can try to look them up ourselves on Best Buys website.

Also, check out Staples, etc. as well. They have sales every week.

By the way, my niece and five of her friends all had Ispirions and all six had failing harddrives within 2 years. Of course, since then Dellmay have corrected the issue.

Can you save up more $?
 
Thanks
The Best Buy models are K52F-BBR5 and K52F-BBR9
Then there was an asus that was suggested as a good buy and I saw it on the Newegg though they are out of it but it is item # N82E16834220790
I appreciate your help
 
DaniellaG said:
Thanks
The Best Buy models are K52F-BBR5 and K52F-BBR9
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The Asus model K52F-BBR9 is definitely the better of the two: i3 Processor, 4 gigs of DDR3 memory, large harddrive, and it comes with Windows 7 64-bit OS. The Windows 64-bit operating system is what you want and it will utilize the 4 gigs of memory which is good. I would say do a search for this particular model and see what the reviews say but keep in mind every make and model by every manufacture can have duds.

Now Best Buy is going to try to sell you service protection plans and other things from Geek Squad such as them installing other security software. It's your call but I and many others find it a waste of money especially the security software. Some may disagree about the service protection plans. There are all kinds of security software that are better than Norton and McAfee and some of those are free. Just don't drop your laptop. :D

Also, laptops that are sold in stores comes with what is called bloatware: unwanted, pre-installed software that is useless, annoying and takes up space and resources. Uninstall it but if you are not sure find a friend that knows what they are doing to do it properly.

If you get this laptop let us know what security software is installed.
 
DaniellaG said:
Thank you both. I could not open those links either and don't know how to post them. There were 2 one is called asus core for 599 and the other is asus pentium 479. The gateway looks nice though. I just was not sure of the brand.
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I have 2 gateway laptop about 5 year old and still running. just changed the hard drive as the original hard drives are too small for today's application and movies.
The i5 is a better processor than the i3, I will choose that over i3 anytime.
Best wishes.
 
Thank you both again. I could go up in price but just thought it would be a waste since I basically use it for internet/email and they seem to not last long. I can be flexible with the price though if need be. I just went to Office Depot and they had 2 HP Pavillions that looked nice. One was HP Pavillion DV6-3121NR and that was 599 or HP Pavillion DV6-3120US which was 499. Would HP be better brand or no the asus still from BB? If I get the asus I hope it comes in black. Sorry for some questions
 
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I would stay away from HP. Their laptops have a bad habit of overheating and causing Motherboard problems. Though the company will fox these when they occur, it is a pain to have your laptop gone for 4 days at a time. On top of that, they reimage the HDD every time you send it in for your repair.
Asus is a good brand, as is Toshiba. You may also want to look into the Lenovo laptops.
 
Don't be sorry for the questions. That is how anyone learns. I have to agree with wolfeking on staying away from the lower end HPs though there higher mid-range to elite series are very good.

I believe you will do fine with the Asus.
 
Thank you again. One more question. On the newegg site there is a asus
A52F-X3 item # N82E16834220790 is that a better or equal one to the Asus at Best Buy? If so would it be better to get that one since the extra year warranty is only 49.99? Does the extra warranty cover if the battery dies or no? I am confused with that. My dell laptop has needed a new battery yearly so why I am asking. I have narrowed it to the Asus brand from all of your suggestions. Thank you again
 
The differences are are follows:

Best Buy - Faster i3 processor at 2.4 as compared to 2.26

Best Buy - Larger harddrive at 500 gigs compared to Newegg at 320 gigs. Both are the same 54000 rpm.

* Otherwise all looks the same.

* Newegg is an excellent online retailer. Many of us buy computer parts from them. Contact them and ask if the extended warrenty is the year following the initial manufacture's year.
 
Thank you so much. You have been so helpful. On the site it says a 1 year from the manufacture's. I called though and it does not cover the battery. Which would you get of the two? Will I notice a difference in the speed or not really?
 
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I would double check with Best Buy to make sure the i3 Processor is actually 2.4 GHz and if it is I'd with the BB one because of a faster processor and a larger harddrive.

Just don't let them talk you into anything else.
 
Thank you so much. I am just going to check at office max to see there selection and if nothing get the one at Best Buy. I don't want to wait for one by mail anyhow. For virus protection is the one that comes with it for 6 months adequate for that time frame? I have heard some people having 3 virus protections. With my dell I have had a virus almost yearly. I have avg and still get it. I don't download things or go to weird sites either. Thank you again for all your help
 
DaniellaG said:
Thank you so much. I am just going to check at office max to see there selection and if nothing get the one at Best Buy. I don't want to wait for one by mail anyhow. For virus protection is the one that comes with it for 6 months adequate for that time frame? I have heard some people having 3 virus protections. With my dell I have had a virus almost yearly. I have avg and still get it. I don't download things or go to weird sites either. Thank you again for all your help
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The rule of security software is: one antivirus, one antispyware/malware, and one firewall. Otherwise you'll have serious conflicts.

Dump AVG. There are much better options and some of those are free. The preinstalled 6 month security software is probably either Norton or McAfee. Dump both but if you do please let us know and we'll guide you on to make sure you have a clean uninstall.

Somthing for you to consider but the sale ends late tonight: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...02110-Index-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34146840-L0A

* The is laptop belongs to the Essential series and its just an everyday laptop. I think the Asus is better but Lenovo makes some top notch series as well.
 
Hi thanks. I bought the one from best Buy and they are setting it up for me. I paid the fee plus upgraded to a year of the security. I am not sure the security software I got. He said he gave me the best one. I will let you know. So do I need other software too or no this one has all of those items you listed? I am going to ask at BB when I pick it up too. Thank you again for all your help
 
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