Laptop died last night. Need a new one today

[Intercooler]

Wifey doesn't like me hogging hers.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+/+Intel%AE+Pentium%AE+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+-+Black/Silver/3558749.p;tab=reviews?id=1218413771184&skuId=3558749

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+15.6%22+Laptop+-+4GB+Memory+-+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Sparkling+Black/7336049.p?id=1218840175099&skuId=7336049

http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-NE56R34u-15-6-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/B009A8KZLW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=PSXSTSPQBJWK&coliid=I1P1NGWQIWWFFR

Something in the $200-$400 range. Some decent features but doesn't have to have all the whistles. No gaming, just surfing, shopping, e-mail.

If you know a good brand or better deal post it for me.

[Intercooler]

I had her over 8 year old Toshiba laptop until it died. Toshiba and Asus I am reading are two of the reliable ones.

[s0nspark]

Just my two cents as an IT guy... I'd avoid the Gateway. Reliability and customer support aren't there these days with Gateway.

Also, you may or may not care as much but one thing I always check is the keyboard, looking for something solid with keys that aren't downsized or cramped together.

HP is usually a good bet. Toshiba can be good but it is usually the pricier models that are quality IMO.

[sqlbullet]

My daughter got an Asus for Christmas and is very happy with it.  we put ubuntu linux on it and all the hardware worked like a dream.

I am dealing with no home internet right new.  we moved over the Holiday to. condo while our house is remodeled.  the phone and DSL were supposed to be transferred to the house.  It is off at the house but not on at the condo.  so any images i have put in posts here will show broken until that is resolved and my web server is back online.

[s0nspark]

My daughter got an Asus for Christmas and is very happy with it.  we put ubuntu linux on it and all the hardware worked like a dream.

Woohoo for Ubuntu!! :-)

[REDLINE]

Don't know if you ordered one yet, but here are the best deals I could find listed in order of price (all are 15.6" screen):

Brand -  Lenovo
Processor Speed -  2.4 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  320 GB
Operating System -  Windows 8
Price -  $329.99
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/280825/Lenovo-G580-59345882-Laptop-Computer-With/


Brand -  Acer
Processor Speed -  2.1 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  320 GB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Price -  $349.50
http://www.electronicexpress.com/catalog/21713/Acer-E15314444US


Brand -  Acer
Processor Speed -  2.0 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  500 GB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium (???64-bit???)
Price -  $367.99
http://www.adorama.com/AC5750Z4217.html


Brand -  HP
Processor Speed -  2.4 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  500 GB
Operating System -  Windows 8
Price -  $369.99
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/101077/HP-2000-2b20NR-Laptop-Computer-With/


Brand -  HP (refurbished)
Processor Speed -  3.0 GHz (with boost)
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  640 GB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Price -  $375.01
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=15060858&cac=Result


Brand -  HP (open box)
Processor Speed -  2.3 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  320 GB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Price -  $389.00
http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=15158978&cac=Result


Brand -  Dell (refurbished)
Processor Speed -  2.4 GHz (this chip is an Intel Core i3 2370M, whereas most of the others are Celeron chips)
RAM -  6 GB
HDD -  1 TB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Price -  $399.99 (IMO this is a super good deal, refurbished or not)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834200769


Brand -  Asus
Processor Speed -  2.2 GHz
RAM -  4 GB
HDD -  320 GB
Operating System -  Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Price -  $399.90
http://www.bjs.com/asus-x53e-rs93-rd-laptop-22ghz-intel-pentium-b960-processor.product.223022?dimId=2000507



I consider all of the above very good deals for decent setups in general for what you are looking for.  I believe they also all have one HDMI port, and some have USB 3.0 if you care.

[Intercooler]

Back to surfing... on it now. It had to be quick so went to Best Buy and got this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+15.6%26%2334%3B+Laptop+-+4GB+Memory+-+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black+Licorice/7015561.p?id=1218821794316&skuId=7015561

It was the Intel Processor or AMD version. $20 more for this one with the Intel Processor.

So far I am digging it but Windows 8 will take some getting familiar with.

[REDLINE]

IMO you made a great choice for the money.