Anyone buy (or think about buying) a new laptop lately?

[Deleted]

My laptop is probably dying a slow death... it is overheating to a point where I can't upload anything or watch videos (even a short youtube video) without it shutting off immediately. It works fine for web browsing and using MS Office, so I'm hopefully not in urgent need, but at some point I'm going to need/want to replace it.

I already tried one of those lap fan things to cool it down, and it let it run longer but still eventually shut off (I couldn't watch a whole TV show on it). So I sent that back. It's a lower end laptop and a couple of years old, so probably not worth the expense of repairing.

Anyway, I just need a basic laptop so I can browse the web, watch Netflix (so I need an HDMI port), and do occasional spreadsheets or word documents. See anything decently priced lately? Does anyone know if holiday sales are the best time to buy a laptop, or if I'll get just as good of a price if I wait until it really dies? I basically want the cheapest thing possible that's going to last more than 2 years and will allow me to do those few things.

[Deleted]

I recently bought the HP Pavilion x360 touch screen at Best Buy for $500. Their laptops go on sale all the time. I've been using HP for years for general browsing and word processing without any issue.

I like it a lot, you can flip the keyboard around and use it as a tablet, or use the keyboard to prop it up if you are watching a movie.

[jessnpaul]

We're also in the market for a new laptop (same issue with the overheating problem! But it's old). We've been checking out some HP's at Costco. I forget which model it was though.

[mbcdefg]

I have this one, which I use for basic Web surfing and doing some easy Microsoft Word work from home. The keyboard detaches and it can be used as a tablet.

Currently retailing for $330.

www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-transformer-pad-10-1-intel-atom-32gb-with-keyboard-gray/1846005.p?id=1219066204580&skuId=1846005#tab=overview

[v]

I would look around CNET for their reviews of various models. Here's the budget section:

www.cnet.com/topics/laptops/best-laptops/budget-laptops/

I would seriously consider a refurbished MacBook Air if you can stretch your budget to pay for it.  You could find a cheaper computer, but you'll probably get a lot more life out of an Apple than a budget PC, which can make it a better value in the long run.

store.apple.com/us-hed/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

[jessnpaul]

Nov 24, 2014 15:07:07 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

I have this one, which I use for basic Web surfing and doing some easy Microsoft Word work from home. The keyboard detaches and it can be used as a tablet.

Currently retailing for $330.

www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-transformer-pad-10-1-intel-atom-32gb-with-keyboard-gray/1846005.p?id=1219066204580&skuId=1846005#tab=overview

I have this (might be an older version) but it's too small of a screen for me to work from home as I'm used to my two large side-by-side monitors at work.

Also, how do you get Microsoft apps on it? Mine's just Android-based so could only use Google Docs.

[Pom]

Nov 24, 2014 15:02:36 GMT -5 papiercherri said:

I recently bought the HP Pavilion x360 touch screen at Best Buy for $500. Their laptops go on sale all the time. I've been using HP for years for general browsing and word processing without any issue.

I like it a lot, you can flip the keyboard around and use it as a tablet, or use the keyboard to prop it up if you are watching a movie.

Yep, this is what we did but it's a Dell laptop with touch screen for $543 out the door with Microsoft Office.  It came via FED-EX in 2 days.

[mbcdefg]

Nov 24, 2014 15:48:33 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:07:07 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

I have this one, which I use for basic Web surfing and doing some easy Microsoft Word work from home. The keyboard detaches and it can be used as a tablet.

Currently retailing for $330.

www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-transformer-pad-10-1-intel-atom-32gb-with-keyboard-gray/1846005.p?id=1219066204580&skuId=1846005#tab=overview

I have this (might be an older version) but it's too small of a screen for me to work from home as I'm used to my two large side-by-side monitors at work.

Also, how do you get Microsoft apps on it? Mine's just Android-based so could only use Google Docs.

MH bought it for me as a gift, so maybe he purchased Microsoft Office for me? I can ask him tonight.

[mich1]

Yeah, but I'm needing to run AutoCAD on it (so need a buttload of power and memory), as well has haul it around with bum hips. I'm looking at a Lenovo Yoga 2, which I'll plug into my large screen monitor at home.

[StJess80]

It's not basic, but I have a surface pro 2 (128gb) and I freaking love it. I don't like that you pretty much have to spend more because the keyboard isn't included though. But it does everything and it fits in my purse. Basically those Mac vs Surface commercials? It's all true and it's just as awesome as the commercial makes it out to be. Plus, even with heavy use, I can get at least 7hrs out of the battery. I'm in grad school and it does everything I need.

[MrsE]

Yes. We bought an acer on sale at target yesterday but are not convinced we will keep it. Hopefully there will be some good Black Friday deals on a better quality machine, but we'll see.