Maximum PC

Mom needs a new laptop. She uses the laptop to play online poker and posting to facebook while watching TV. Battery life is not an issue it will be plugged in the whole time. I am also going to set up Netflix and HBO Go on the laptop so she has something to watch while Dad is watching Two and Half men. I don't think she will feel comfortable with a chromebook.

The one that catches my eye is the Lenovo IdeaPad S400 14" Laptop Computer for $399. It is a good size and looks lightweight.

I am not as knowledgeable about laptops as I am about desktop components. Is this a good deal?

<<She uses the laptop to play online poker and posting to facebook>>
anything you want, XP or Win 7....for the win!

The price is decent, but the CPU is pretty slow (1.8 GHz).

This Asus is the same price but has a faster CPU (2.3GHz) and slightly larger screen (the HDD is smaller, and it 1/2 pound heavier, though). It's another option to think about.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help. I just found Acer Aspire E1-571-6888 at Micro Center and this was the model that was rated the 2nd most stable windows system behind the Mac.

Intel Core i3-3120M
Microsoft Windows 8
4GB DDR3-1066 RAM
500GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive
15.6 Screen

I think it's a good catch already. Most moms would use it mainly for browsing and emails.




steven barbarich

One thing I noticed in some HP Intel models is the fan seems to run at max speed for most of the time. I'm not sure if that's an HP problem with Intel or due to Intel chips? My HP AMD laptop doesn't run max speed until it gets hot in the room and I'm playing an intensive game.