Need a new laptop. Input welcome

[jpmuscle]

Ok, long story short I'm looking at buying a new laptop. As far as intended usage requirements I pretty much just stream movies, writer papers, surf the net, and play the occasional video game, the latter not being anything particular graphics intense. So something in the 15-17" range is fine but I want mid to upper end processing power and memory. Nothing P***es me off more than a computer that can't multitask to save it's life. SATA drives would be a bonus. Relatively thin and mid to lightweight. Price point is 500$ or less and I'm fine with refurbished units so long as there is a reasonable accommodating warranty. Also I'm brand loyal either but I HATE windows 8. Soooo what do ya'll think? I'm not exceptionally tech savvy on this stuff so any input is appreciated.


A few I've been looking at:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=LEO-102863814

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=LCU-102846980

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=HPR-102500341


http://computers.woot.com/offers/hp-...m_medium=email

[SkiDevil]

If there is a Best Buy near you then I would recommend speaking with one of their computer reps for a recommendation. Plus you get to see what you are buying and use it too.

For myself, I am partial to Sony and HP. If you don't like winfows 8, then go with 7.

Save your money and buy a new computer.

[SilverBullet432]

Think-pad

[.46caliber]

Win7 is out of support. If you can, consider waiting till the next version of Windows is out. Or check out Win8.1 machines. They behave more like 7.

I love the ThinkPad line. I have 10yr old IBM Think Pads I won't let go.

TigerDirect, Newegg and Microcenter are good places to search. We buy the bulk of our computer equipment at work from Tiger and CDW.

[MegademiC]

I would suggest a macbook. I have an hp. Nice computer but the company sucks at customer service.

[Bluto]

Dell Vostro. It's their business line. Not spectacular specs, but not loaded with bloatware like the best buy specials.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

My Macbook Air is 2 years old and runs like a top. My wife's Macbook Pro is 5 years old and runs....like a top. Try getting a 2-5 year old PC to behave like that.

Original investment on a Mac is high, but so is the return after many years.

[rjacobs]

I will third a macbook, but you wont find one in your $500 price range.

Im on my 2nd Macbook. First one lasted 5 years and its still going strong in the hands of my 7 year old niece(for around 2 years now), my current one is almost 2 years old and still runs like new. My dad is on his second macbook, again first one lasted 5 years and the hard drive started making noise so he backed everything up and bought a new one about 1.5 years ago. I told him just replace the HD, but he didnt seem like he wanted to even mess with a 5 year old laptop.

[VooDoo6Actual]

Macbook AIR or MacBook Pro. Pre late 2011 model. Reason is to change components & not soldered to Motherboard. Can change RAM / SSD etc.
Knowing what I KNOW for a FACT about backdoors, encryption etc. I would never consider a MS product & their collusion to invasion of people's privacy for the time being. Not giving any more to the BORG.

[brickboy240]

I also have had a few Think Pads and love them.

Run Umbuntu or other linux and skip windows and you will be happier.

Buy it online and NOT from Best Buy or other box stores...their package deal laptops are crammed full of bloatware and garbage you don't need.