Help me find a budget laptop!!!

Krneki50

Estimable
Nov 1, 2014
3
0
4,510
Yes as the title says I'm looking for 300-350€ laptop. I will be using it for some office work, programming and light gaming. Can somebody recommend a laptop that can do those things.

Thanks!!!
 
Solution
The problem with finding a laptop in this range is that the OS (Windows 7/8/8.1/10) automatically shaves away about 100 euros. In an ideal world where the OS isn't automatically bundled, you can get more/better hardware for your money. However, the world isn't fair and the option for the OS is wrested from you. I'm not saying that Windows is bad, but I am saying that it eats away at the hardware you'll get. There's literally no way to get a laptop in that range that can do light gaming that's new. You may end up having to go with either refurbished or used. If you choose to do this, this is your best bet at getting something that'll function for you.

Best recommendations:
{*} ASUS Laptop F554LA-WS52 Intel Core i5 5200U (2.20 GHz) 8 GB...

itmoba

Estimable
Aug 14, 2015
153
0
4,660
Sorry, but I can't think of any new laptops suitable for programming and light gaming for 300 to 350 euros. If the dollar to euro exchange rate were still 1.4:1, then, it'd be another story. Unfortunately, with the euro it's now 1.12:1, so that makes finding the right laptop all the more difficult (not to mention the taxes, ugh).

I suppose the question is which languages you develop in, and which IDEs you use. If you've AWS or something similar, then, most of the workload will be done on the remote server. But, if you have to do everything on the local machine, then, you might be screwed.
 

Krneki50

Estimable
Nov 1, 2014
3
0
4,510
Hmm well I just started programming in Java but it's my hobby so it's not that important but the laptop I will be using it mostly for school and stuff maybe some light gaming if possible. So now can you recommend a laptop for me? Oh and 300-350€ is only for the laptop not including taxes.

Thanks
 

itmoba

Estimable
Aug 14, 2015
153
0
4,660
The problem with finding a laptop in this range is that the OS (Windows 7/8/8.1/10) automatically shaves away about 100 euros. In an ideal world where the OS isn't automatically bundled, you can get more/better hardware for your money. However, the world isn't fair and the option for the OS is wrested from you. I'm not saying that Windows is bad, but I am saying that it eats away at the hardware you'll get. There's literally no way to get a laptop in that range that can do light gaming that's new. You may end up having to go with either refurbished or used. If you choose to do this, this is your best bet at getting something that'll function for you.

Best recommendations:
{*} ASUS Laptop F554LA-WS52 Intel Core i5 5200U (2.20 GHz) 8 GB Memory 500 GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 5500 15.6" ~~ $400 USD (refurbished)
{*} ASUS Laptop F554LA-WS52 Intel Core i5 5200U (2.20 GHz) 8 GB Memory 500 GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 5500 15.6" ~~ $450 USD (new)
{*} ASUS Laptop F554LA-NH51 Intel Core i5 5200U (2.20 GHz) 4 GB Memory 500 GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 5500 15.6" ~~ $500 USD (new)
{*} ASUS Laptop D550MAV-DB01(S) Intel Celeron N2840 (2.16 GHz) 4 GB Memory 500 GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 15.6" ~~ $350 USD (new)
{*} ASUS Laptop K550LA-TS71T Intel Core i7 4500U (1.80GHz) 6GB Memory 750GB HDD Intel HD Graphics 4400 15.6" ~~ $490 USD (new)
{*} ASUS Laptop X Series X552LAV Intel Core i5 ~~ $390 USD (new)

I haven't recommended any other makers because I believe HPs, Lenovos, and Acers are literally worth less than used toilet paper (not recycled, literally already used). IBM and Dell make okay business-class laptops, but those are far beyond your budgetary reach.

When it comes to IDEs, the majority of those which target Java are very resource hungry. Eclipse, JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA, and even NetBeans can eat away at your CPU and RAM at the cost of rich and visual code completion and code example references. On the other hand, something like Vim (which is what I use) is very spartan and minimalistic and, while it has code completion options available, it's not as friendly for people starting out in programming (but, the benefit is that it forces you to literally memorize standard libraries, frameworks, and APIs).
 
Solution

Slaizer2000

Estimable
Oct 13, 2015
1
0
4,510


Currently on sale today only while supplies last for US 509.00.

ASUS Laptop F554LA-NH71 Intel Core i7 5500U (2.40 GHz) 8 GB Memory 1 TB HDD Intel HD Graphics 5500 15.6" Windows 10 Home 64-Bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232795

You should also stay away from the previously listed laptop with the celeron processor. Anything besides an iCore (i3,i5,i7) is older tech.