Recommend me a good cheap laptop

Girom · 18 Sep 2011

Could anyone recommend me a Windows laptop that can watch 1080 Videos, can run Windows 7, and does not have loud fan noise like the MacBook and MacBook Pro? Basically I want a laptop that can run a lot of applications at the same time without lagging and without tormenting your ears with the fan noise. And is cheap, maybe at most $500? And also does not get out of order easily when I drop it accidentally, and has relatively cheap warranty policy? I would be willing to buy used or refurbished computers if it fits my criteria, even if it's originally Windows XP computer but on which you can install Windows 7.

MacBook Pro warranty was like $350 for 2 years, which is kind of expensive in my opinion. BTW if you didn't buy a warranty at the end of the first year of free warranty, can you buy warranty later? So I wanted a computer with warranty of maybe at most $100 per 2 years.

I guess I could run bootcamp or Parallels on the Windows if I really need Mac? but so far I don't think I discovered anything definitely better in a Mac, except maybe the display. So I guess if I wanna use something like Final Cut Pro (Is there a Windows version that is just as good?) maybe I could just run Parallels (which is why I need a computer with good speed and size to tackle many apps at the same time)

Anyway I don't like running Parallels on Mac because I can't handle the fan sound that goes along with it, and there's lots of Windows-only apps that I couldn't run on Mac and was deprived of computer experience for years because of it. (And when I run Parallels it's too slow and loud)

However if there is no laptop or computer for 500 that can do all the things i mentioned, then just recommend me whatever.

Martin Dendev · 18 Sep 2011

Girom said:

I guess I could run bootcamp or Parallels on the Windows if I really need Mac? but so far I don't think I discovered anything definitely better in a Mac, except maybe the display. So I guess if I wanna use something like Final Cut Pro (Is there a Windows version that is just as good?) maybe I could just run Parallels (which is why I need a computer with good speed and size to tackle many apps at the same time)

Hi, and welcome to seven forums.

It is very hard to get Mac OS X running on a Windows machine. VMware and all that stuff is for people with a lot of computer experience.

In your search of a good laptop; go have a look at the Compaq brand by HP. They are quite cheap, but very reliable.

And for your Final Cut Pro alternative: Avid | Home --> Pinnacle or Sony Vegas Pro.

Grtz,
Martin

Girom · 18 Sep 2011

IS the Final Cut Pro alternative as good as FCP?

richnrockville · 18 Sep 2011

Girom, welcome to the windows 7 forums.

Good-Cheap-fast. Not much chance to get a laptop that will not break when you "accidently drop it" for this price range. Your out of luck getting a warantee for $100 for two years. Most companies will not give you a warantee after your original warantee is up and if they did, you could buy a new machine for the price.

All in all, from your description of what you want for under $500, no can do..
Rich

Martin Dendev · 18 Sep 2011

richnrockville said:

Girom, welcome to the windows 7 forums.

Good-Cheap-fast. Not much chance to get a laptop that will not break when you "accidently drop it" for this price range. Your out of luck getting a warantee for $100 for two years. Most companies will not give you a warantee after your original warantee is up and if they did, you could buy a new machine for the price.

All in all, from your description of what you want for under $500, no can do..
Rich

Not quite (except for the dropping part

), if you're looking at this (I don't know if it is legit so please remove this link if it isn't)

Amazon.com: Compaq Presario CQ62-410US 15.6-Inch Notebook: Electronics

My bro got one of these and this is perfect for basic tasking. It has quite the same specs as a macbook.

And Sony Vegas Pro is as professional as Final Cut Pro.

Grtz,

Martin

The Howling Wolves · 18 Sep 2011

Girom,

Go to Sam's Club or Costco and see if they have any returned or refurbished Laptops.
I got one from Sam's Club along with a 3 year warranty ....total out the door was $350
At Sam's Club look in the iron cage where they keep all expensive electronics and look for boxes with orange sticker's on them...That's a return or refurbished model.
Mine is HP 17.3" screen, 7 HP, 4GB Ram, 2x 320hard drives.
Worth the time searching or calling them. IMHO

Girom · 30 Sep 2011

The Howling Wolves said:

Girom,

Go to Sam's Club or Costco and see if they have any returned or refurbished Laptops.
I got one from Sam's Club along with a 3 year warranty ....total out the door was $350
At Sam's Club look in the iron cage where they keep all expensive electronics and look for boxes with orange sticker's on them...That's a return or refurbished model.
Mine is HP 17.3" screen, 7 HP, 4GB Ram, 2x 320hard drives.
Worth the time searching or calling them. IMHO

Thank you. Do they provide warranty like Best Buy does?

The Howling Wolves · 30 Sep 2011

Girom said:

The Howling Wolves said:

Girom,

Go to Sam's Club or Costco and see if they have any returned or refurbished Laptops.
I got one from Sam's Club along with a 3 year warranty ....total out the door was $350
At Sam's Club look in the iron cage where they keep all expensive electronics and look for boxes with orange sticker's on them...That's a return or refurbished model.
Mine is HP 17.3" screen, 7 HP, 4GB Ram, 2x 320hard drives.
Worth the time searching or calling them. IMHO

Thank you. Do they provide warranty like Best Buy does?

They have the manufacture warranty and 2 or 3 year Sams/Costco warranty.
I had the manager sign the warranty also..