Laptop for Mom

[abeth]

Hi there,

My Mom is looking to upgrade and replace her old dinosaur of a PC with a laptop. All that she uses a computer for is Word, Publisher, Browsing and Email.

I'm in Canada so need to use retailers that ship here. Budget is ~$500, would like something that meets her needs a will so for 5 yrs or so.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[M0RPH]

Here's one option if you can buy from TigerDirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...GW5tG_AntnqtEw

And if you can buy from Dell Outlet, a 20% off coupon was just posted.
3Q8C7M1$3?GS2S (Exp 11/6)

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ that HP ProBook 4530s XU015UT's Core i3-2310M processor is a dual-core "sandy bridge" chip with very good performance.

The intel HD2000 graphics are good enough for movies and web video, Flash games, PopCap games, and Windows user interface 3D. It is even good enough for old 3D games like Half-Life 2, but not for any recent 3D games.

 

[oceanrock]

the i3-2310 has HD3000 which is even better. BUT - i can almost guarantee the graphics would disappoint (EVEN with your mom's basic use) 2-3 years from now. I am convinced casual-use shoppers should look for better graphics over better processors.

I purchased this three weeks ago for 350+tax:

http://www.staples.com/Samsung-Serie...product_376050

It is now 600 :| so just wait for a sale and look for other retailers for sales. i would wait and search a bit more.

I would even pick the AMD 6320+e450 graphics over the intel HD3000+i3 because of battery life and DX11 support. Machines with HD3000 and an i5 or i7 are in a different class altogether.

some options:

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-g...product_392010

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-d...product_332942

this one was 299 two weeks ago and an excellent deal for your mom but only at 299:
http://www.staples.com/Acer-Aspire-A...product_376417

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+...=1218402137482

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...=1218367940866

 

[DaveSimmons]

^ if gaming was a concern, then an A6 or A8 system could be a better choice, even though the processor is weaker than an i3. But:

> All that she uses a computer for is Word, Publisher, Browsing and Email.

For those uses the stronger i3 processor is more future-proof and the HD3000 graphics are going to be fine for all non-gaming 3D.

 

[gmaster456]

the i3-2310 has HD3000 which is even better. BUT - i can almost guarantee the graphics would disappoint (EVEN with your mom's basic use) 2-3 years from now. I am convinced casual-use shoppers should look for better graphics over better processors.

I disagree. People who bought laptops 3 years ago with integrated graphics are still getting along just fine for day to day things like word, youtube, email etc. Only when one starts gaming will they run into issues.

 

[oceanrock]

In the last two months i have worked with an e350, i3-2310, and an a6 (all with 8gigs of 1333MHz ram); I would avoid the HD3000 paired with the i3. I am not at all an AMD advocate for higher price ranges.

I know i may be in the minority, but i maintain that the graphics subsystem and total system memory are more important than the processor power (assuming current "good-enough" processors).

As for the future, more HD content, more 3D hardware acceleration, and more 3D-incorporating software all point to graphics subsystems being the limiting factor in a pleasurable user experience. Besides, no one knows what new program will become the next big thing and if it will take advantage of 3D subsystems or not. think google earth fly-through with 3D buildings (today) or 50mB HD movie clips in emails or powerpoint slides with 3D animation and shading effects (2012/2013?). No games here!

Who knows? i dont; im just guessing like everyone else (except maybe windows/osx developers).

i would rather have memory and graphics to spare, just in case. All for under $500. for $800+ go for an i5 or i7 with optimus.

just my 2 cents

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I've used laptops with i3 2310m's and i5 2410m's and I have found the HD 3000 to be more than adequate for anything i have needed including light gaming. It will easily be powerful enough for anything she will need and the more powerful cpu will provide more benefit down the road.

Personally I have been very pleased with the i3 2310m and feel like it delivers excellent performance for the money.

 

[oceanrock]

I've used laptops with i3 2310m's and i5 2410m's and I have found the HD 3000 to be more than adequate for anything i have needed including light gaming. It will easily be powerful enough for anything she will need and the more powerful cpu will provide more benefit down the road.

Personally I have been very pleased with the i3 2310m and feel like it delivers excellent performance for the money.

Have you tried the a6 or a8?

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'll have to disagree on the need for better 3D for the OP's mom.

The i3 CPU is fast enough to software-decode any HD codec even without GPU hardware acceleration. It's much stronger for that than the A6 CPU.

The HD3000 graphics are more than fast enough for any UI-level 3D such as Windows Aero effects.

Even HD2000 graphics let me play Half-Life 2 and Torchlight on my i3-2100 media PC while the GTX 560 ti in my gaming system was off to EVGA for replacement.

HD3000 is more than good enough for now and the future, for all uses except non-casual 3D gaming. Meanwhile, the i3 CPU is faster, so it is more future-proof for everything except 3D.

But these are all opinions, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[oceanrock]

Agreed!

I just believe the need for graphics horse power to exceed other posters expectations.

And for the record, the i3-2310 CPU (in systems costing $350 to $450) is a good buy and you will not regret it; just like you will not regret buying an a6 system in that price range.

-Cheers

 

[abeth]

Thanks for the suggestions (and computer talk!). I'll see if see is OK with a 15.6", because that HP ProBook looks like a great deal, but she is getting fairly old so a 17" may be better, I'll keep looking!

And please remember when suggesting products that I'm in Canada.

Thanks again!

 

[lehtv]

I've got a Fujitsu-Siemens laptop with a crappy Core 2 Duo and Intel GMA X3100. Bought in 2008 August, it's still great for everyday use, it plays 720p video fine but not 1080p. The only problem really is the slow HDD. Should have an SSD in it... maybe I'll move my Vertex 2 into it one day to extend its lifetime by another couple of years ^^