Product link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005SRZATG
Right now, this laptop is on amazon for $549.99, 200 dollars off its listed price. The main reason I purchased this laptop was because of its portability, being both lightweight and easy to handle. In addition, it was the only computer in the 500-600 region to have graphics besides the default Intel HD graphics. I mostly use this for networking and video, but it easily handles casual games, like Left 4 Dead 2. Don’t expect to run Battlefield 3 though in full quality!
With that said, the laptop surely has a bank for its buck. The i3 certainly is capable of getting things done, and nVidia graphics are good enough for my purposes. Its battery life can also be very long, with the power saving settings able to get over 8 hours. This, in combination with its portability, makes this laptop VERY convenient. It has numerous power options for an array of situations, which adds to its versatility.
However, I have had some small gripes upon purchasing it. The trackpad surface has gotten a few chips in it, which is no problem for me, since I use a mouse. However, this may be a problem for some who use the trackpad exclusively. Some of the installed bloatware is annoying, until you know how to disable it. For example, when I closed the laptop, it entered some mock operation system utility that was pre-installed by ASUS. Not a big deal once I disabled it. It also comes with 4GB of ram, which most these days ship with 6GB; an easily fixable issue.
Some of the nifty features include a 3 in 1 card reader, VGA and HDMI output, and bluetooth 3.0 capacity. In addition, it comes with a 1 year warranty, something handy to have just in case. Overall, for the price, I would rate this 5 out of 5 stars, as it is able to compete with laptops 100 dollars more expensive. If you are looking for a midrange laptop, keep this baby in mind.
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http://www.amazon.com/?tag=iwayofe-20
Right now, smart phones and other handheld devices are replacing laptops. But before, laptops were replacing desktop computers… so where does that leave desktops? Fading away, far in third place. But what advantages do desktops have over laptops? To put it simply, price efficiency. You will always be able to get more bang for your buck, but with the less portable downside. To demonstrate this, I took a 500 dollar desktop:
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i620-1298BK-Inspiron-Desktop/dp/tech-data/B006WYVGC4
And now, the closest laptop I could find to fit its specifications:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VAIO-VPCEG34FX-14-Inch-Laptop/dp/B006MB7CMK
Price: $679.99
A 180 dollar difference. That’s a lot.
It is for this reason alone that businesses still employ the use of desktop computers, combined with purchasing in bulk from manufactures, allows for minimal start up costs. But what about the users, the non business related consumers? Still, desktop computers still serve some use, but for the most part, laptops have overtaken the field, as more and more of us are on the move. But now, with handheld “smart” devices becoming more predominant, we may see a decline in the use of laptops, and even more of a decline in the use of desktops.
If you choose to purchase a product on Amazon as a result of this post, feel free to use our affiliate link below in order to help pay for this site and keep it going. Thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/?tag=iwayofe-20
The time is coming! The weather is improving, and gradually more and more people are getting laptops as the summer approaches. Recently, I’ve been shopping around, and have been confounded with how many choices there are. Personally, unless it was a work computer and needed the extra buff, I would never pay more than 800 USD for a laptop…but that’s just me! Below are some useful and possible purchases for a variety of different functions and a variety of prices.
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Around $500
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VAIO-VPCEL22FX-Laptop-Black/dp/B005NIR7K0
Sony VAIO
Easily the best choice for its price. For most casual users, this gets everything done. The motherboard may be a bit off, as I much prefer an Intel, but it still can get the job done. If you are looking for one around 500, this is the way to go, no matter what you plan on using it for.
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$500-800
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-i17RN-2929BK-17-Inch-Diamond/dp/tech-data/B006LX2MPG
Dell Inspiron
Equipped with an i3, this can serve as a low budget work laptop, or a school laptop. As it doesn’t have VGA or HDMI output, it can’t really be used as a media center, but watching Netflix movies from it could always work!
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http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Portégé-R835-P94-13-3-Inch-Magnesium/dp/tech-data/B006YL1AMG
Toshiba Portégé
This laptop really gets it done regarding processing. This would be a higher end laptop for school and work, but may as well be used for some gaming. With 9 hours of battery, it can be very portable, which is useful for school and such.
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$800 +
http://www.amazon.com/N53SV-EH72-15-6-Inch-Dynamic-Entertainment-Aluminum/dp/tech-data/B005UUSIGS
ASUS N53SV-EH72
If you are going for a high end entertainment laptop, you’ve found it, look no further. Equipped with an i7, this machine kills, and also, of course, has VGA output. With a possible 16GB of ram, this think can be turned into a beast.
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http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX21E-DH52-11-6-Inch-Ultrabook-Aluminum/dp/B005UF6G80
ASUS Zenbook
This is the best choice I will review for portability and ease of use. Packed with an i5, a solid state drive, and weighing in at under 3 pounds, this will certainly fit all casual needs on the go, and even could be used for more intermediate use.
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So, there you have it, a decent review of a number of laptops. If you found my review helpful and plan on purchasing a product of amazon because of this, feel free to use my affiliate link to help pay for the site.
http://www.amazon.com/?tag=iwayofe-20