Best quality sub $500 laptops?

[bgc99]

Well, If the latest android tablets can't be used to goto any site I want that happens to use flash, then that is a deal breaker for me anyway. I'm no big fan of flash, but that is what's used all over the place.

I'm just trying to find out if one manufacturer might have a slightly better screen in that sub $500 price range. I prefer a matte screen but those seem to be very scarce.

 

[Tom]

Schadenfreude- I don't disagree with your points or that there's anything wrong with recommending a tablet.

my comments are meant as an addendum to the thread, a different point of view. not that I think my opinion replaces or supercedes earlier posts.

on the screen issue, I wasn't referring to any particular post by anyone, I don't even know who posted what. My point is that cheaper laptops aren't worthless because they don't have the best screens. And that some cheaper screens are just fine for what they are.

btw, I wanted to like the Kindle. I got to try out my brother's though and there still seems to be some problems getting it to work smoothly. Compared to the ipad 2 I played with, there's no comparison. Maybe it was just his, but it wasn't all that impressive. the screen is nice.

 

[Bill Brasky]

In my opinion, 14" laptops are the sweet spot for screen size and portability. Get a sandy bridge core i series processor and upgrade to a SSD and you won't want to put it down.

edit: And I agree Tom, screen quality on laptops is blown out of proportion by enthusiasts in general. The OP doesn't want to do photo editing work, he wants to browse the internet, and a standard TN panel is fine for that.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

In my opinion, 14" laptops are the sweet spot for screen size and portability. Get a sandy bridge core i series processor and upgrade to a SSD and you won't want to put it down.

edit: And I agree Tom, screen quality on laptops is blown out of proportion by enthusiasts in general. The OP doesn't want to do photo editing work, he wants to browse the internet, and a standard TN panel is fine for that.

Yes a TN panel can be fine for browsing the internet, the Macbook Pros have good quality TN panels that are perfectly fine for everyday use. The problem is the utter garbage most laptop makers pass off as screens are not suitable for anything. I made the mistake of thinking that all laptops have good enough screens when I bought my previous laptop and I ended up hating to use that system for any amount of time due to the dim washed out screen. In contrast my new laptop is a ThinkPad x220 with a 300nit IPS display and I can work on it for hours without an issue despite the fact that it has a significantly smaller display.

Sadly manufacturers have realized that most consumers don't care how horrible the display on a laptop so there are very few good laptop displays left. When I bought my laptop there were only 4 ultraportables available with decent screens, the Thinkpad x220, Macbook Pro 13, Macbook Air 13, and the Sony Vaio Z.

 

[el_brio]

Well, If the latest android tablets can't be used to goto any site I want that happens to use flash, then that is a deal breaker for me anyway. I'm no big fan of flash, but that is what's used all over the place.

I'm just trying to find out if one manufacturer might have a slightly better screen in that sub $500 price range. I prefer a matte screen but those seem to be very scarce.

You can still go to sites that use flash... any flash parts that aren't compatible will just not load. A lot of flash works fine on android tablets. Anyway... it sounds like you are leaning toward a laptop though. If you want something small, take a look at the HP DM1-4010US. It is a nice machine for the $$$. You aren't going to find something with a matte screen in your price range I think.

Before you spend the money, you really should go check out a couple of options at a store. You need to take a look at a nice IPS display in person.

Here is a link to a video of flash on a tablet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tqk5XaIFTY

 

[Tom]

It's not on sale right now but Staples was selling the Samsung Series 3 for $350. Comes with a low power i3 Sandy Bridge and a very nice 11.5 matte screen.(my opinion) Also comes with MS Office Home and Student.

Maybe it'll go on sale again..

http://www.staples.com/product_344162

 

[bgc99]

Before you spend the money, you really should go check out a couple of options at a store. You need to take a look at a nice IPS display in person.

Here is a link to a video of flash on a tablet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tqk5XaIFTY

I assume you mean check out a tablet w/ips? My desktop monitor is a Dell Ultrasharp 2007wfp, it has an IPS panel.

My choices for checking out laptops in person are BestBuy, Staples, and Office Depot. I've never owned a laptop so I'm out of my element pretty much. I know I won't be able to type on any of them because I use a split "natural" style keyboard with my desktop. LOL

 

[infoiltrator]

The smaller the laptop the more quality costs all things being equal.
YES, I know they are not.
Too small and you wind up carrying folding keyboards and mice. Too big and it stays home. Too short battery life ..
Everyone gotta find their own sweet spot.
Sound is an issue for multi media. too.

 

[el_brio]

I second the Samsung Series 3 idea. Especially if you can get it for $350. It seems to come with a full Office student key too. It is at $469 on amazon which still seems a good price.