best gaming computer on a budget 2013 image
Soliel
I am a junior in a college-based high school and I desperately need a new laptop. However, I don't know much about computers, and I need help in determining which one would be best for me. My budget is $500, but I don't want to purchase a new computer. I would rather spend some time on Craigslist, Amazon, or Ebay, and find a high-quality, used computer---even if it is an older model---for a great deal. Don't underestimate the great deals you can find, either. Sometimes you can find items for 40% or more under their company's selling price.
This isn't a necessity, of course, but I do appreciate style. Macbooks are beautiful, and there are models from 2008-2009 on sale within my budget, but I have heard too many bad things about them to risk purchasing one. One thing that I really love about them, however, is how they are made. I want a computer that isn't plastic or cheaply made. This is very important, because the computer I have now is completely plastic, and as a result, falling to pieces. Not to mention, it doesn't look very nice. The computer I am looking to buy right now I hope will last at least three years. Ideally, I want a computer that will work for three years as well as not be outdated in three years. I also want decent speakers and graphics. I'm not a gamer, but I love gaming computers. They have large storage, great visuals, and impressive sound capabilities. This is my ideal, but I understand if there isn't a computer within my budget that could reach that standard. Basically, I want a laptop that can provide the basics I need for school (just able to run the Microsoft programs, good for wi-fi, webcam), can provide extra entertainment features, and will last for a while.
If you can, please recommend what laptop you think I could possibly find within my budget that would be best suited for my wants and needs. Also, if you have a computer in mind that fits my specifications but isn't in my budget, list it anyway. I'm telling you, there are great deals out there.
Answer
Take a look at these rankings:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/best-worst-notebook-brands-2013/3
Lenovo, Asus, HP, and Samsung are the top 4 laptop brands. I wouldn't consider any other brands.
In my experience, two of the most dependable lines of machines are the Lenovo Thnkpads and the HP EliteBook. These are both business class machines. Business class machines are typically more solidly built than their consumer counterparts. The reason? A business would rather pay and extra $150 - $200 for a machine they KNOW won't break down and even if it does, the business class support is usually next business day repairs. The reason is that if a business laptop goes down on someone, they could easily be out a couple hundred dollars per day that it is down along with the possibility of losing business. Consumer machines are typically not being used for mission critical activities and if they are down for a week or so, no big deal. As far as I can tell, the Samsung Series 7 and Series 9 machines are also business class hardware.
Dell makes Alienware and they are not worth the money charged.
Acer makes Gateway. You'd have to pay me to use one of their machines.
Sony hardware has generally been good, but they are notorious for putting huge amounts of crapware/bloatware on machines and gathering information on their consumers without their knowledge or permission.
Toshiba has bottomed the rankings. Personally, I have used them and never had a problem, but that does not appear to be the case any more.
Take a look at these rankings:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/best-worst-notebook-brands-2013/3
Lenovo, Asus, HP, and Samsung are the top 4 laptop brands. I wouldn't consider any other brands.
In my experience, two of the most dependable lines of machines are the Lenovo Thnkpads and the HP EliteBook. These are both business class machines. Business class machines are typically more solidly built than their consumer counterparts. The reason? A business would rather pay and extra $150 - $200 for a machine they KNOW won't break down and even if it does, the business class support is usually next business day repairs. The reason is that if a business laptop goes down on someone, they could easily be out a couple hundred dollars per day that it is down along with the possibility of losing business. Consumer machines are typically not being used for mission critical activities and if they are down for a week or so, no big deal. As far as I can tell, the Samsung Series 7 and Series 9 machines are also business class hardware.
Dell makes Alienware and they are not worth the money charged.
Acer makes Gateway. You'd have to pay me to use one of their machines.
Sony hardware has generally been good, but they are notorious for putting huge amounts of crapware/bloatware on machines and gathering information on their consumers without their knowledge or permission.
Toshiba has bottomed the rankings. Personally, I have used them and never had a problem, but that does not appear to be the case any more.
Is Windows 8 better than Windows 7? Can anyone tell me if it's worth getting an upgrade?
Jose Carra
I got an email from Microsoft telling me that I can upgrade before January 31,2013 to Windows 8 at a low price $40 and $80 on CD in stores.
Answer
Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and has other improvements and tweaks. My favorites are the enhanced task manager and the fact that if you perform multiple file copies/moves at the same time, the progress is tracked all in one window.
It's perfectly fine for gaming. I do a ton of gaming on a Windows 8 machine! Desktop mode is essentially Windows 7 (but without the Start Menu). That sounds like it might be limiting, but the Start Screen is really a fullscreen Start Menu. In fact, the same folder that controlled the Start Menu now control the Start Screen.
If you're a serious computer user who likes to play big-budget ("hardcore") games or get actual work done, you'll likely use Desktop mode and not the new, modern UI. That's just fine. I rarely use the new modern UI, but there's nothing wrong with that.
Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and has other improvements and tweaks. My favorites are the enhanced task manager and the fact that if you perform multiple file copies/moves at the same time, the progress is tracked all in one window.
It's perfectly fine for gaming. I do a ton of gaming on a Windows 8 machine! Desktop mode is essentially Windows 7 (but without the Start Menu). That sounds like it might be limiting, but the Start Screen is really a fullscreen Start Menu. In fact, the same folder that controlled the Start Menu now control the Start Screen.
If you're a serious computer user who likes to play big-budget ("hardcore") games or get actual work done, you'll likely use Desktop mode and not the new, modern UI. That's just fine. I rarely use the new modern UI, but there's nothing wrong with that.
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Title Post: What is the highest quality, used laptop I can buy for $500?
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Rating: 100% based on 998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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