Is it risky to buy new but older models of laptops??

[Acoustic Bits]

My laptop has gotten the water treatment and motherboard is now fried, so I'm looking to buy a new one... I am on a tight budget, but obviously would like to get the most bang for my buck.

I've looked at a lot of laptops online and in stores, and I've noticed I can buy older/discontinued (but new) models for waaaaay cheaper than current models with similar specs...

My question is, do I run a risk buying an older model if it's been sitting in its box for 2-3 years?

I've seen old models that have Intel core I7, <8GB RAM, >500 GB hard drives that run for about 400-500... Similar spec newer models all run over $700.

Or am I better off buying a newer model, with lesser specs for that price? For example

http/www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-C55-C5241-Laptop-Windows/dp/B010SBAJDS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1438269276&sr=1-1&keywords=Toshiba+satellite

Thank you for your help!

 

[Math Geek]

nothing wrong with it if it is till new. may have older specs but will still have full warranty time and such with it. for the savings it is well worth it so long as it has what you need on it.

no laptop is designed to be upgraded easily so make sure you get more than you need if possible to keep it relevant as long as possible. this is really the only rule for laptop buying.

good luck

 

[jaguarskx]

That Toshiba laptop is actually a current generation laptop. The dead giveaway is the Core i5-5200u CPU which Intel started shipping earlier this year (Q1 2015). Not sure why the same laptop with Windows 10 installed instead of Windows 8.1 is cheaper though.

 

[Acoustic Bits]

Thanks for the answers. Yeah, laptop prices totally baffle me... even with the same brands.

Look at this one, it's also a Toshiba, same specs (but older generation processor) but sells for $130 more than the C55

http/www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-L55-B5276-i5-4210U-Windows/dp/B00LZD22VG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438269631&sr=8-1&keywords=Toshiba+satellite+L55

I mean, what's going on? lol

 

[Math Geek]

there are subtle differences most of the time. be sure to look at screen resolution, viewing angle, refresh rates and that type of stuff. the screen is a big part of the price and a cheaper laptop will have a cheap screen to compensate. other differences are the build quality. read reviews and the real cheap ones (even with decent parts) will have people saying "it feels flimsy" "keyboard feels like mush""won't survive the first drop of it" those types of things. battery is also a place to save. same sized case can have 2-3 different batter packs in it to save cost. can be 3,4 or 6 cell battery all in the same size case.

there are other things but this is often a place they save money. you have to look deep but the differences will show up if you look hard enough.

 

[Acoustic Bits]

Hey Math Geek , that's a great answer. I haven't really considered those things.

So which laptop would you recommend for that price range ? (400-500)

I will be using it mostly for media (downloading movies/tv shows, streaming) audio editing (recording and mixing music) and some video editing as well (for youtube, nothing too crazy though)

 

[Math Geek]

between the 2 the win 10 one has a better cpu with the rest of the specs looking the same. you'll probably have to go to toshiba itself to get the really detailed specs but they may not even list them. think about building a pc, ram speed/cas and many other things can change prices of parts. so if you really want to get crazy it will take some research on your part.

but at a glance at specs, the win 10 looks better. since it has a win 8.1 version there is probably revirews already you can read about build quality and such. viewing angle may not be specified but a reviwer will quickly say "if your not dead on it goes blury" that type of thing that suggests a small viewing angle.

last idea is to see if a local store has something like it. may not be exact model but can be same family. this way you can touch it and feel it to get a hands on impression.

 

[jaguarskx]

Both Win 10 and Win 8.1 version of the Toshiba laptop has the same specs. The only difference is the operating system. If you can wait, then pre-order the Win 10 version. The $136 price difference is a decent chunk of change.

 

[Math Geek]

i agree i was only stating that since the win 10 one is not available yet and they are the same, the reviews from the 8.1 version are still valid in regards to build quality, screen issues etc... can get some info about it this way since there are obviously no reviews for a laptop that is not available yet.

 

[Acoustic Bits]

What about something like this...

http/www.frys.com/product/8072044?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

It's an older model, but similar specs... i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB hard drive...goes for about $300

Would you buy a new model i5 for 500? or an older model with similar specs for 200 less? (assuming i looked into build quality, viewing angle, etc.)

 

[jaguarskx]

That's actually a real good deal. For everyday tasks you are not going to notice a difference in performance between a 4th gen Core i5 and a 5th gen Core i5.

 

[Acoustic Bits]

Thanks for all the replies. This is all very confusing to me lol