Looking for a low budget, but powerful laptop for around $250.

[SnakeGTX]

Last week, I got the Asus X551MAV-RCLN06 for $245. I am very disappointed in its performance. There is tons of lag. This laptop uses the Celeron N2830 2.16GHz SoC. It scored 1,020 on CPU performance, and 522 on single threaded performance, on passmark. So I am trying to get a better laptop for about the same price.

The laptop I am looking at, is a refurbished Asus X55A-DS91. Its processor is the Pentium 2020M 2.4GHz dual core. It scored 2,323 on CPU performance, and 1,241 on single threaded performance (Only like 50 points off from my desktop).

I'm not really interested in powerful graphics, since I have my desktop for that. This laptop is just for school (writing papers, researching, multiple tabs), and personal use.

And I am really wanting a windows 8 laptop.

So I guess my main question here, is that do you think it would be good to try to get something "refurbished?" Like is that safe and all? I am going to try to use this laptop for about 4 years, so I need it to last for some time.

 

[ronintexas]

Virtually every laptop in the "under $350" price point is going to have some lag or other issue. Starting about $400-$600, you can get a decent laptop. Once in a great while, you will find a deal out there....but they are very rare.....

 

[Bolin]

Aren't you asking too much? your best bet is to buy a chromebook and install linux mint on it. Otherwise you'll have to double or triple your budget if you really want something "powerful"

 

[SnakeGTX]

I mean powerful for the price. I just need something that is going to be snappy, just not a whole lot of lag.

My desktop, only scored 1,300 on single core performance, so is it possible that this laptop will just about be as fast at internet browsing and such?

 

[SlayZombi]

No, nothing for that price is worth it. Just save up.

 

[i7Baby]

Gaming laptops at Newegg start at $800. Try and stay away from Dell and HP. I don't think you can afford Asus, MSI or Lenovo. You won't get a graphics card, 1080p, 17in screen or i5 or i7 for that. Your best best is amd cpu with integrated graphics.

Maybe just try for the best you can get for $250 eg http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236153 Asus $220

 

[Bolin]

No, nothing for that price is worth it. Just save up.

Half-Agree (is there a word for that 😛?)

There's nothing "powerful" for 250$. However, a 300$ chromebook should do browsing and office good enough if you don't really want power.

 

[Bolin]

Gaming laptops at Newegg start at $800. Try and stay away from Dell and HP. I don't think you can afford Asus, MSI or Lenovo. You won't get a graphics card, 1080p, 17in screen or i5 or i7 for that. Your best best is amd cpu with integrated graphics.

Maybe just try for the best you can get for $250 eg http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236153 Asus $220

isn't that just a monitor? 😛

 

[i7Baby]

oops try - http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231704 $220

 

[SnakeGTX]

oops try - http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231704 $220

I would try something like that, though, I bought one last week with a better processor. The main question is just if there is anything better than what I found, and if refurbished laptops are safe to buy for a few years of use.

 

[i7Baby]

For $250 don't expect much.

The AMD CPU has much better graphics than the Intel.

Refurbished should last as long as a new one. They die when people don't look after them - junk up software, don't clean the case out or use a laptop cooler and let the laptop get too hot. All of them have the batteries die after a few years.

 

[SnakeGTX]

For $250 don't expect much.

The AMD CPU has much better graphics than the Intel.

Refurbished should last as long as a new one. They die when people don't look after them - junk up software, don't clean the case out or use a laptop cooler and let the laptop get too hot. All of them have the batteries die after a few years.

It does have better graphics, but probably since I have my "gaming desktop" I probably won't need the graphics. I'm more for the processing power I guess.

That is good to know about the refurbished laptops. Thank you.

One thing that I was interested in, is possible upgrading the CPU in this certain refurbished laptop I was looking at. It has the Socket G2, and it looks to be changeable. So that could be a possibility in the future. I would probably never get better graphics though.

 

[i7Baby]

It's not worth it. If you want to spend another $150 on a better cpu, just get a better laptop to start with.

 

[SnakeGTX]

It's not worth it. If you want to spend another $150 on a better cpu, just get a better laptop to start with.

Ok, Thank you.

 

[xxsjxx1]

Keep an eye on the slickdeals... Can sometimes pick up an i3 for 250-300