Mom needs a new laptop with a $500 budget.

[mgh-pa]

I know that she would be able to get more for her money by increasing the budget a bit more, but she's firm in her requirements She doesn't need much. She uses it to stream via Chromecast, check email, Facebook, internet browsing, Skype, and word processing. That's it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[kommisar]

Refurbished Thinkpad E440 @ $401.62:

http://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/itemdetails/20C5X076US/445

14" screen, I5-4200m, 4GB ram, 128GB ssd, dvd drive

 

[JoeMcJoe]

Chromebooks are great for parents, so much safer.

They will work for everything apart from Skype.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-CB5-571-C09S-15-6-Inch-Full/dp/B00T03KQ34

 

[Puffnstuff]

I would avoid a non windows based laptop. I would suggest a tablet such as the asus transformer http://www.microcenter.com/product/446880/Transformer_Book_(Refurbished)_-_Gray and it will allow her to run windows based software like a normal laptop. I would also get a microsd card to boost storage capacity. I have one for my college text books and it works quite well and scores a 4.2 on the wei.

 

[RossMAN]

Dell laptop for $280 @ BestBuy

1) Replace slow and unreliable hard drive with a 250GB SSD for $99.
2) Clean and fresh Windows install.
3) Image hard drive so in the future you can quickly and easily clean up her laptop.

 

[mgh-pa]

Thanks for the input, everyone. She went with the Dell listed below. I will modify as needed for her.

Dell laptop for $280 @ BestBuy

1) Replace slow and unreliable hard drive with a 250GB SSD for $99.
2) Clean and fresh Windows install.
3) Image hard drive so in the future you can quickly and easily clean up her laptop.

 

[Kaido]

Thanks for the input, everyone. She went with the Dell listed below. I will modify as needed for her.

Good choice. The i3 is a solid chip & just add an SSD for speed. If she doesn't like Metro, StartMenu8 makes a good free Start button replacement: (Windows 7-esqe)

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

 

[RossMAN]

Thanks for the input, everyone. She went with the Dell listed below. I will modify as needed for her.

Congratulations, I hope she's happy with it.

When the time is right, I would still highly recommend installing an SSD and clean Windows install with image.