Laptops priced at $800 and below are becoming increasingly powerful and packed with features. Although they're still not the best choice for graphics work or gaming, many cheap laptops sport faster processors, larger hard drives and more memory than you could find in this price range just a few years ago. This Best low cost laptops 2012 stocks available to buy from Amazon according to consumersearch.com.
Dell Vostro v131
Best low cost laptops: For business users on a tight budget, reviewers recommend the 13.3-inch Dell Vostro v131 (*Est. $800) . Although most reviewers test a higher-end $800 configuration, the base model starts at an affordable $500 with a second-generation 1.10 GHz Intel Celeron ULV processor, 2 GB of RAM, 320 GB hard drive and integrated Intel graphics. |
| Dell Vostro v131. image: dell.com |
CNET, however, says to avoid the Celeron-based base configuration "at all costs." Upgrades include the more powerful Core i5 or i7 CPUs, 4 GB of RAM, larger hard drives, Windows 7 Professional and more. All configurations come with an HDMI port, an 8-in-1 card reader, a fingerprint scanner, Intel's WiDi 2 technology and three USB ports (including two USB 3.0 ports). They lack an optical drive, however.
Dell Vostro 3550
Best low cost laptops: If you need an optical drive, the Dell Vostro 3550 (*Est. $505 and up) includes one and offers similar performance to the Dell Vostro v131, experts say.
The upgraded configuration critics test includes a second generation Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, but it still rings up at around $800 and earns 4-star (out of 5) ratings from PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and PC World, while CNET gives it a Very Good rating. The slim-cased Dell Vostro v131 weighs around 4 pounds, so reviewers say it's a good choice for business travelers, though PC World notes that "it's size and weight stretch the definition" of ultraportable. Battery life is much improved over previous Dell business laptops:
The Vostro v131 outperformed the average laptop battery life rating in Laptop Magazine's strenuous tests and lasted more than seven hours for other reviewers. The overall feel and design of the backlit keyboard and trackpad are also praised, though several experts say the 13.3-inch display's brightness is average at best.
On the performance front, the Core i5-based Dell Vostro v131 holds its own against more expensive business laptops and outperforms similar laptops in Laptop Magazine's PCMark Vantage tests. Reviewers say the Dell laptop has no trouble with mainstream tasks or multimedia processing and encoding, but serious gamers will have to look elsewhere.
Although PC World says that you may be able to play games at low resolution and the lowest graphical settings, CNET reports that they only achieved an unplayable 13.5 frames per second rate when they tried to play "Street Fighter IV" at the Vostro v131's native resolution. Critics say the speakers don't deliver much volume either, which further hurts the laptop's gaming chops.
HP ProBook 4530s
Best low cost laptops: The HP ProBook 4530s (*Est. $486 and up) also gets good reviews for business users. Like the Dell Vostro v131, the HP laptop comes in different configurations, but the base model -- the HP ProBook 4530s-XU015UT -- is available with a second-generation Intel Core i3-2310M processor, 4 GB of RAM, 320 GB hard drive and integrated Intel graphics.
The HP ProBook 4530s has a larger 15.6-inch display, and all models come with a CD/DVD drive, built-in Bluetooth 3.0 and a 6-cell battery. Upgrade options include an Intel Core i5 processor and larger hard drive.
Laptop Magazine tests an upgraded model with a Core i5 processor that checks in at just over $700. Editors say the aluminum design looks better than most budget laptops, and it feels very sturdy. The Chiclet-style keyboard has good tactile feedback, and a full-size number pad will come in handy for business applications. Its five hours of battery life is in line with other business laptops.
NotebookCheck.net tests the HP ProBook 4530s with a Core i3 processor and finds performance suitable for most business applications. "The combination of Intel's Core i3-2310M, and the integrated GMA HD 3000 graphics card, is more than enough for all office and many multimedia applications, especially since the performance advantage as well as the efficiency are better compared to the previous generation," says Felix Sold.
Graphics performance is one downside, so users shouldn't expect to do any serious gaming with the HP ProBook 4530s. We also saw one report that the cooling fan is very loud. The base HP ProBook 4530s-XU015UT configuration receives a lot of reviews at Newegg.com and Amazon.com, and while users rate the system very highly overall, several complain about the amount of bloatware HP installs on the machine. (Bloatware is applications added to a PC by its manufacturer, such as trials for various services.
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