Over the summer, I will be going to a university to take a couple of classes. I have no intention of taking my desktop considering that it only runs for six weeks, as well as the fact that I will be flying down.
So, I want to buy a laptop which will be used for steam (no games, just communication), browsing the internet, and doing some light programming. Some specs that I think would be required are:
- A decent webcam (720p)
- Screen size of 1600x900 or greater
- 4GB RAM
- 2+ USB ports
- At least 1 audio port
- Ethernet
- At least one video port
- Total cost including upgrades <500$
Unless necessary, I would rather not have a touchscreen.
So far, I intend to buy a cheap laptop, swap out whatever drive it has for a ~240GB SSD, and slap on some flavor of Linux. Which flavor is also up for debate; I have little to no experience with anything but Ubuntu.
I was looking at this Chromebook, but according to this chart, the majority of Chromebooks do not have upgradeable SSDs (additionally, many are not supported).
This model seems to be supported, but I'm not even sure where I would get a decent M.2 SSD.
Does anyone have experience with this niche of computers, or a better way of going about this?
Over the summer, I will be going to a university to take a couple of classes. I have no intention of taking my desktop considering that it only runs for six weeks, as well as the fact that I will be flying down.
So, I want to buy a laptop which will be used for steam (no games, just communication), browsing the internet, and doing some light programming. Some specs that I think would be required are:
[list]
[*] A decent webcam (720p)
[*] Screen size of 1600x900 or greater
[*] 4GB RAM
[*] 2+ USB ports
[*] At least 1 audio port
[*] Ethernet
[*] At least one video port
[*] Total cost including upgrades <500$
[/list]
Unless necessary, I would rather not have a touchscreen.
So far, I intend to buy a cheap laptop, swap out whatever drive it has for a ~240GB SSD, and slap on some flavor of Linux. Which flavor is also up for debate; I have little to no experience with anything but Ubuntu.
I was looking at [url=http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NX.MPRAA.007]this Chromebook[/url], but according to [url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Chromebook]this chart[/url], the majority of Chromebooks do not have upgradeable SSDs (additionally, many are not supported).
[url=http://store.hp.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-chromebook---14-x050nr-%28energy-star%29]This model[/url] seems to be supported, but I'm not even sure where I would get a decent M.2 SSD.
Does anyone have experience with this niche of computers, or a better way of going about this?
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-11-3147-laptop/pd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMq2IiozPYg
if you need good cheap laptops then look here
http://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/laptops/#facet-1=1,2,3,4
In terms of budget, keeping the total under 500$ is the goal. I have never liked 2-in-1s or tablets in general; I would much prefer a normal laptop, complete with all of the various ports that I listed, as I will be lugging peripherals down with me.
In terms of budget, keeping the total under 500$ is the goal. I have never liked 2-in-1s or tablets in general; I would much prefer a normal laptop, complete with all of the various ports that I listed, as I will be lugging peripherals down with me.
also whatever you do don't buy a chrome book
also whatever you do don't buy a chrome book
I have no intention of using the Chrome OS, they are just the only real form of low end but modern laptop which I can think of. Most of the other sub-400$ laptops that I have found are either refurbished or ancient. Is there some other reason, other than dislike of Google, to not buy one?
I have no intention of using the Chrome OS, they are just the only real form of low end but modern laptop which I can think of. Most of the other sub-400$ laptops that I have found are either refurbished or ancient. Is there some other reason, other than dislike of Google, to not buy one?
WaldoMost of the other sub-400$ laptops that I have found are either refurbished or ancient.
Refurbished laptops aren't terrible imo, I'm using a refurbished lenovo right now that offers everything you asked for, and was $450 when I bought it 3.5 years ago. Haven't had a single problem with it
[quote=Waldo]Most of the other sub-400$ laptops that I have found are either refurbished or ancient.[/quote]
Refurbished laptops aren't terrible imo, I'm using a refurbished lenovo right now that offers everything you asked for, and was $450 when I bought it 3.5 years ago. Haven't had a single problem with it