In the middle of this technological revolution, we find ourselves in the middle of a financial and economic recession. Even the latest and most powerful technology today become outdated within a matter of months as research and innovation continue in this field. This makes seemingly outdated technology become cheaper as a new generation of products takes their place in the market. This previous generation can be a good option for the buyer on a budget.
The budget-conscious consumer does not need to simply subscribe to buying the previous generation of technology completely, as even current generation systems come in low-priced yet fully featured packages. You may not get the fully specked next generation gaming rig of your dreams, but if you enter this price point knowing what you need rather than what you want, then the possibilities, while limited, are more than adequate for both the clueless and advanced user alike.
First and Foremost: What Laptops are Meant For
Laptops were originally designed with mobility in mind. When searching for a laptop, three very important specifications to consider are the weight, dimensions, and battery life of the unit. While there are laptops with the best current generation hardware, these units are usually large and cumbersome, not to mention more expensive than buying the same specs in a desktop tower package instead. These kinds of laptops are also nonexistent in the $300 and below price point, unless the laptop has the best hardware of two or three generations ago.
It is also important to take note that all laptops are overpriced when compared to desktop PC’s, as a desktop can contain the same components that your laptop does for lower prices. When comparing prices, compare laptops specifications to other laptops rather than desktop systems.
New laptops get released fairly often, so a guide like this may be relatively outdated by the time you read it. It may also mean that specific models of laptops have become cheaper, so while a guide like this is useful, it is not a substitute for doing your own research. You should always read up on what makes a good computer or laptop, and get the right laptop for you.
The Laptops Available for Under $300
Be real when deciding to go for a laptop under $300, as it will not get you much. However, more often than not, you will get what you need from a laptop. Most users who only seek something which enables them to browse the web and check their emails, as well as an occasional movie or two, should find these recommendations sufficient for their needs.
In this price point, there is no end to the amount of factory refurbished or manufacturer recertified laptops available. Popular sites which specialize in computer parts like NewEgg.com have comprehensive listings of laptops and computers under $300, and can be filtered into different specifications easily depending on the user’s needs.
One particular model in the $300 and below range stands out: The Lenovo ThinkPad T61. On sites like amazon.com and ebay.com, they can be had for about this price point in refurbished and recertified condition. Yet for the price, the specifications are better than most laptops in this price range: Most ThinkPad T61 models come with Core 2 Duo processors, upwards of 1 GB of memory, a decent hard drive as well as a widescreen monitor, a feature not found on other refurbished laptops in this price range. A DVD+RW drive and 100 or more GB of hard disk space are also notable features on these laptops.
Originally an IBM product, ThinkPads have been picked up by Lenovo, who also manufactured the T61 model. The original IBM ThinkPads are also the only laptops certified by NASA for use in the International Space Station, a testament to its durability and design.
For users preferring portability while still maintaining functionality, netbooks have recently caught up with laptops in terms of popularity. While not being as powerful as a full sized notebook computer, netbooks still pack a punch and still provide basic functionality many can’t live without.
Asus, a company which specializes in computer parts, has also been making a name for itself in the laptop market. The Asus EeePC was also the very first mass produced netbook, eventually paving the way for other manufactures to come out with netbooks of their own. In a recent survey by SquareTrade, a reputable computer warranty provider, Asus notebooks have also proved to be the most reliable, putting itself ahead of manufacturers such as Apple, Lenovo, Acer and HP.
The Asus EeePC 1215N is the latest offering from the company that originally pioneered the netbook. Coming standard with Windows 7 Premium, this little powerhouse is also a step ahead of other netbooks with a 12.1 inch display with a native resolution of 1366 x 768. A more powerful onboard graphics chip makes watching HD videos no problem for the 1.5 Ghz processor. At just a little over $300, you may only be able to afford the model with 1GB of RAM, but this can also be upgraded at a later time by the user or a trained technician.
For consumers who absolutely have to stick to a $300 limit, Asus also has EeePC’s which are under $300, such as the 1015 and 1001 models. You may be able to find the 1001 at $250, and the 1015 at $280 depending on where you look, with the latter having a dual core processor. Both netbooks, however, come from a company noted for its reliability and innovation in the netbook market.