Looking for a webbrowsing laptop

[roman161]

Hi, I'm looking for a new laptop for primarily web browsing.

Budget: <$550

Size: >=17"

Battery life: >=4Hrs

Games: Simple stuff like social flash-based games or the revamped monkey island games. Possibly minecraft(?)

Software: Webbrowsing. Would also like to use minimal photoshop functions like cropping or color correction, nothing 3D or giant files. Microsoft office, youtube, itunes, etc (all at once). Also would like to watch HD movies / tv shows downloaded from my desktop.

Memory: Would like >=3GB

HD Size: >=250GB

Optical: DVD writer

Extras: Would like built in webcam.

Would like to keep this machine for 4-5 years. I've done research on my own, but I can't find any laptops with a i5 for <$550. Is an i3 a really weak processor? I don't want the rig running too slow. This will also be a worktstation replacement for traveling as I travel a lot and won't be near my desktop.

 

[WR2]

Hello roman161;

Acer Aspire AS5742 Notebook $550
Core i5 460M(2.53GHz) " 4GB RAM 320GB HDD 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/Intel HD Graphics. Minecraft might run on lowest settings, everything else is good to go.

 

[roman161]

Hello roman161;

Acer Aspire AS5742 Notebook $550
Core i5 460M(2.53GHz) " 4GB RAM 320GB HDD 15.6" 1366x768 LCD w/Intel HD Graphics. Minecraft might run on lowest settings, everything else is good to go.

Thanks for the reply! But I'm looking for something with a 17" screen or so. Should I sacrifice having an i5 for a weaker i3? I'm not sure if it will age well in terms of processing power.
Minecraft isn't a necessity, I was just providing an example. I don't have too much intention on running Minecraft on that rig.

 

[WR2]

Larger laptops usually have less battery life.

It's not a bad option going with a Core i3-380 etc CPU. It will do really well at the jobs you want to get done.

 

[WR2]

HP Pavilion g7t $550
Core i3-380M CPU (2.53 GHz) 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 17.3" 1600x900 LCD w/ Intel HD Graphics
HD 6470M graphics card a $50 upgrade

 

[WR2]

HP Pavilion g7 $520 as above, using some coupons for $30 off and free shipping.

 

[WR2]

Dell Inspiron 17R $600
Core i3-2310M (2.1GHz) 3GB RAM, 320GB HDD, 17.3" 1600x900 LCD w/ Intel HD 3000 Graphics
This would be roughly equivalent to the HP Pavilion g7t with the optional HD 6470M graphics card.

 

[roman161]

HP Pavilion g7 $520 as above, using some coupons for $30 off and free shipping.

Thanks! I'm going with this one. I hope that the graphics card doesn't eat too much battery power. I called them up and they said that their laptops don't contain switchable graphics.

 

[roman161]

Best answer selected by roman161.