Shopping for a reliable Win 7/8 laptop/netbook under $200 (USA)

S

saturnine23

New Member
Hey, thanks for taking the time to look at my thread.

So here's the challenge: How much power can we squeeze out of $200?

This purchase is going to be a late holiday gift, as my partner tried to get me a tablet, and it turned out to be bricked on arrival. She's had to go through the hassle of returning it to an unhelpful eBay seller. Meanwhile, the two of us poured all our energy into trying to repair a laptop I found, and despite our best efforts we couldn't rehab it. So we sold it, and between the tablet and laptop, we've got about $200 to put towards a new device for me. The process has been super frustrating for us, so in order to preserve our sanity, it's really important that whatever device we get functions correctly upon arrival.

I'm open to manufacturer refurbs, used devices, etc. as long as they're coming from a reliable source. I know I can get a better deal on hardware on eBay, but I'm trying to balance that with not wanting another broken/semi-functional piece of crap that I have to troubleshoot or return. I'm also open to buying from Craigslist, Redditors, etc. who have established positive reputations.

  • Country of purchase: USA
  • Budget range: $200 or less
  • Purpose: Portability. This will be a device that fills the gap between my desktop computer and my 1st generation iPod Touch. Don't care if it's a laptop or netbook as long as I get the most bang for my buck, hardware-wise.
  • Screen size preference: Large enough to comfortably do word processing, web surfing, Evernote
  • OS preference: Windows (professional editions, please, not the crippled versions)
  • Gaming requirements: None. Usage will be primarily focused on productivity.
  • Performance requirements: Multi-tabbed web browsing will probably be the most intensive thing I use this for. I have a bad habit of opening lots of tabs.
  • Method of computer support: self-supported
  • Brand preferences and reasons: None. I'll go wherever the best deals and most reliable hardware is.
  • Any particular style that you like (examples are great): None. See above. If an ugly case will get me that much more oomph under the hood, let's get ugly!
  • Which of the following qualities would you prefer? (Choose one, the other, or balanced)
  • Long battery life -vs- Low weight: Long battery life! Definitely. This thing will be spending large amounts of time unplugged.
  • Build quality -vs- Low price: Low price. I realize my budget cap is quite low, but that's what I have to work with.
  • Low noise/heat -vs- High performance: High performance. Let my thighs roast.
  • List any features that are critical: A removable battery is critical. All the unplugged usage I plan on doing will mean I'll have to eventually replace it.
 
I should add that while I don't know much about Chromebooks, they're probably not a good match for me. I won't be always online, and I like to use a LOT of different programs, Windows tweaks, etc.

However, I'm open to the possibility of learning Linux if it will save money. Bonus points if I can install Windows on the hardware if Linux turns out to be a bad match for me.
 
The 4300's are nice :good:

Get a new extended life battery from Dell after getting that laptop and you could get 5 or so hours of use from it :good:
 
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WRXGuy1 said:
This one looks decent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834200874

Don't expect great battery life out of any laptops in this price range though.
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WRX, thanks for the recommendation. That may be the most powerful one I've seen in this price range so far. It's at the top of my list right now.

(And yes, I saw it go out of stock ... and then come back into stock!)

Voyagerfan, I appreciate the +1 on the 4300 recommendation.
 
voyagerfan99 said:
I swear on the Latitude line. I'm currently on my third (Owned a D600, E6500, and now own an E6420).
Click to expand...

Oddly enough, my top 3 right now are all Latitudes.

1) is the E4300 posted above,
2) is this D830,
3) is this D630 (should it come back into stock).

Here's a question for you: Are there any brands, lines, or processors you would NOT recommend?

So far I've been told to shy away from Gateway, as well as Intel Atom CPUs. Luckily neither have really even been contenders in my search results.
 
Interestingly the link to the E4300 at Newegg that WRXguy1 posted shows that model in/out of stock. Currently shows in stock so the OP should jump on it as it seems like the best value for the money.

My work laptop (typing on it now) is an E6400 and it's a pretty decent laptop. The Latitudes are business class as opposed to the Inspirons which are consumer class.
 
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