Cheap reliable laptop recs, please

July 24, 2017 3:49 PM

I am looking to buy the cheapest reliable laptop possible...I need it to last for a year plus with fairly constant use, mostly writing & reading. Under $400. Any OS. X 15"+ I don't have Internet access at home, so nothing that relies on the cloud to function. Flexible on other specs. I really hate Dells. Suggestions?
posted by Archipelago to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

I generally trust wirecutter's recommendations however they clock in at $450ish.
posted by srboisvert at 3:53 PM on July 24, 2017 [4 favorites]

I'd check out the reviews on NewEgg for budget laptops and go by those. I find NewEgg is much easier to use for shopping electronics than Amazon, and the prices are usually the same and the shipping is super fast. I think reviewers tend to be more knowledgeable as well.
posted by AppleTurnover at 3:56 PM on July 24, 2017 [2 favorites]

Also note that you can use a Chromebook offline (once you setup for it while online).
posted by srboisvert at 3:57 PM on July 24, 2017

Make sure you set up a backup. An external harddrive, or a backup service.
posted by theora55 at 4:12 PM on July 24, 2017

Microcenter sells refurbished laptops that have always seemed to me to have really good prices.
posted by LSK at 4:15 PM on July 24, 2017

> cheapest reliable laptop possible

Refurb HP EliteBook

> 15"+

Refurb HP EliteBook 8570p
posted by glonous keming at 5:18 PM on July 24, 2017

I have this laptop. I swapped in an SSD I already had though. I'm satisfied with the machine.
posted by LoveHam at 5:47 PM on July 24, 2017

For bargains, look for refurbished computers:

Refurb lenovos are great in general. I haven't used the IdeaPad line, personally, though reviews seem to like it. To me they are a bit underpowered, but they start really cheap, under $200:

http://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/outletus/laptops/c/LAPTOPS?q=%3Aprice-asc%3AfacetSys-ScreenSize%3A15.6+in&uq=&text=#

Right now the Acer refurb shop has a 15" beast at $400 just because of some cosmetic damage, and several lower specced cheaper ones:

http://acerrecertified.com/
posted by kandinski at 7:23 PM on July 24, 2017

I am using a refurbished ThinkPad with an SSD and 8 GB of RAM and it's slowly become my primary machine.
posted by invokeuse at 10:42 PM on July 24, 2017 [3 favorites]

I second the love for refurbished ThinkPads with SSDs. I basically live inside mine.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:48 PM on July 24, 2017 [3 favorites]

n-thing the refurbished Thinkpad option.
posted by Chairboy at 1:17 AM on July 25, 2017 [1 favorite]