Most accurate screen on a laptop for under $550

[acole1]

I know someone looking for a sub $550 laptop to do photo editing. Obviously one of the most (if not the most) important requirements is that it have an accurate display. I know this is hard to come by on a sub $550 laptop, but the budget is hard fixed.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[crashtestdummy]

Your options are not going to be great in the $550 range. It's a pity, because if you had the internals of a $400 machine, swapped out the HD for an SSD and replaced the panel, you'd have a $600 device that's much better in terms of everyday use than just about any equivalently priced laptop out there.

Your best bet may be to look for an used machine that was once high end (think Sandy Bridge). Look for one with an IPS display. It's not a guarantee of color accuracy, but your odds are much better there.

 

[acole1]

Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for: something with cheap internals and an IPS. I'll see what there is on the used market.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I know this is hard to come by on a sub $550 laptop,

how so?? Just an assumption or based on facts...

 

[hellfire88]

I think your best best is a used Lenovo Thinkpad X230 (if you're ok with a 12.5" 1366x768 IPS) or a used/close-out Vizio (I think they had a 15" with 1920x1080 IPS) or used/close-out Sony S15 series with 15.6 1920x1080 IPS).

 

[alkemyst]

how so?? Just an assumption or based on facts...

I think he meant to qualify it as something decent enough for real photo editing.

OP: They changed the look but I think this is the same site I score my last two laptops at:

http://www.deals2buy.com/categories/laptops/deals

I was in the $450-550 range. I was targeting resolution, HD space and a i5 core CPU.

 

[jaydee]

15.6" 1080p IPS for $500

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...reen-Laptop-Intel-Core-i5/productID.288024500

I don't see any reviews on this particular model, but I'd assume it's the same screen as this :

www.anandtech.com/show/7238/acer-v7482pg9884-review-everything-you-need/7

 

[sciencewhiz]

Do you do a lot of photo editing on the run? Or can you buy a $400 laptop and a $150 monitor?

 

[stateofmind]

are you good with a refurbished / used laptops too?