I’m looking for a laptop for school that can also handle some light to medium gaming, any suggestions? I don’t want to spend more than $500 if possible.
What kind of gaming are you planning on? If you’re just playing something like Neopets, even a Chromebook could do it. The specs of this one aren’t very good, honestly. But if your budget is around $500, it’s tough to get something high-end. Also, the monitor on this laptop is pretty dim, so you might have trouble using it outside.
@Eli
Maybe some easy games like Minecraft or some roguelikes like Hades 2.
A 17.3-inch screen is pretty big. You might want to consider a smaller 14 or 15.6-inch model for more portability.
Zane said:
A 17.3-inch screen is pretty big. You might want to consider a smaller 14 or 15.6-inch model for more portability.
I agree. If you’re carrying it to class, a 17-inch laptop could get heavy. For $499, you probably won’t get a super lightweight model.
Would there be any better options for a cheaper price? $500 is about my max unless it’s a really good deal.
Cheap HP laptops often come with hinge problems. I’d recommend looking into an Asus (not the Zenbook) or even a refurbished ThinkPad.
I’d stick with a newer Intel Core Ultra or AMD processor for better battery life and casual gaming performance. You might find a better deal if you check out Best Buy’s open box options or look for Lenovo/Dell refurbished laptops. That way, you can get a better-spec laptop for around that price range.
It’s not a business-grade HP, so the build quality won’t be as good for long-term use.
A 17.3-inch display is probably too big for school use. You’ll want something more portable for carrying around.
You can buy any laptop, but don’t go for a U-series processor if you plan on using it for heavy programming or light gaming. It’ll disappoint you. Look for an H or G-series CPU.
I wouldn’t recommend this one. A 17-inch screen is too big for most people to comfortably carry to school, and it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU, so gaming will be limited to older or 2D games. AAA games from the last 10 years won’t run well on this laptop. Also, using a U-series CPU in such a large laptop seems odd.
You could buy this laptop if you like it, but I’d recommend looking into Lenovo (get the Ryzen 7 5700U version, recommended) or a Dell (not my first choice, but the specs are good).
Look for a refurbished ThinkPad or EliteBook. You’ll get a better deal.
Pax said:
Look for a refurbished ThinkPad or EliteBook. You’ll get a better deal.
Any specific models in the $300-$500 range?
Pax said:
Look for a refurbished ThinkPad or EliteBook. You’ll get a better deal.
Any specific models in the $300-$500 range?
Check eBay.
Stay away from Intel processors if you plan to use the laptop while unplugged for long periods of time.
Refurbished ThinkPads or EliteBooks are the way to go. Better value for your money.