Recent statistics have shown that a large percentage of laptop buyers over-pay when they’re buying laptops. This overpayment is not due to the fact that the seller is demanding more than what he should. The over payment has many causes and these causes are relevant to buyer’s mindset and decision-making. First of all, most buyers rush into buying a system. They don’t do their research and instead they go for the first ‘black’ or ‘pink’ laptop that they see. Another problem is brand names. Hefty brand names come at a hefty price. You shouldn’t pay a large sum of money just because you’re buying a fancy brand name. The machine you’re buying should be worth every penny instead.

Laptops vs. Desktops

Another thing to look for is your requirement. Settle down and think why exactly are you buying this laptop? What purpose will it fulfill? Do you really need an Intel i7 processor just to browse through the internet and use MS Word? Usually consumer pays for the technology (and ends up buying it) he isn’t going to use. Then comes the big question of Desktop vs. Laptops. Ask yourself another question, would a desktop fit the purpose or does it have to be a laptop? Desktop is being preferred here because it is more economical and has a bigger range of operation. Once you’ve answered all such questions, you are ready to make your purchase. Here are some names that provide an economical solution and among the best laptops under 500 quid. Now, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good laptop, all you need is some common sense and a little research on the internet (preferably). The laptops have been evaluated based on important features such as processing speed, battery life, screen size and general performance.

Top 5 laptops and their specifications; all under 500

First machine is the Samsung Chromebook series which can be bought at an incredible price of under 500 quid. The screen size is 12.1” and is suited to anyone looking for compactness and portability. The black finish of the laptop is also impressive the striking feature is the Google Chrome OS it runs! What exactly does that mean? It means that the laptop is actually blank with no software! Everything is run through a web browser giving it its ‘striking feature.’ The only drawback related to this can be that internet connectivity is essential at all times. Internet connectivity can be ensured by using the WiFi or the 3G. The result of this innovativeness is an elongated battery life! If you want something different, something cheap and something compact; this model can be a very good option.
Usually we don’t expect Sony Vaios to be economical but Sony Vaio’s model VPC-YB2M1E is a little different. With its sleekness and a tiny (but impressive) screen size of 11.6”, this laptop is very attractive for people who like their laptops portable. This series is best for people who are on the move. The price may still be high compared to its rivals but due to its design and sleekness, this laptop takes the lead and you may consider spending a little more for something stylish and up-beat. AMD E-350 processor with dual-core capabilities might give you a stingy picture of Sony but 4 GB of RAM can compensate for the sluggishness (If any) created by a mediocre processor. The hard disk comes at 320 GB, so you lose something but you also gain something out of this deal. Another good thing about this particular model (Although I’m not a big Vaio fan) is the bundle of software that comes along. So, for a quick round up, this laptop is very good looking and has a good collection of software but it could have used a better processor for the price tag it contains.
Lenovo laptops can’t be ignored for long, especially the Z570 model. This laptop is something that a multimedia enthusiast is looking for, at a good bargain price. The screen size is 15.6” which is what is expectant from a good multimedia laptop. The design is good as well. The aluminum finish makes this model good to look at. Moving on to more important things, the laptop is powered by an Intel i5 (2410M) processor and 4 GB of RAM. Hard drive space is an impressive 500 GBs while the laptop is best known for the sound quality it delivers through its SRS stamped speakers. Being a resident of the multimedia world, the laptop offers an HDMI port and a bundle of USB ports together with an essential eSATA port.
Going over to a lower cost laptop for a 15.6” screen, we find ourselves Asus with its X53E model. The immediate feeling might not be very fulfilling as the laptop supports 3 GB of RAM together with an Intel B940 processor which is not the wildest thing a manufacturer can put in a laptop. Storage space is 320 GBs and the extra jewels include an HDMI output, SD card slot, 3 USB ports and an output connection to a TV. Later models of this series have incorporated an Intel i-series processor but the best thing about this laptop is its price of 347 quid.

Best practices for a newly bought laptop

Last but not the least, the highly impressive Lenovo that has a no non-sense specifications of 2.4 GHz Intel i-3 processor along with 4 GB of RAM. Screen size is 15.6” and an Intel GMA graphics card is also included in this package which supports 720p videos. That is a lot to offer in a price of just over $500. Storage space of 500 GB gives you freedom of space while there is a good collection of ports to go with. There’s the multicard reader, eSata port, 2 USB ports and as a whole package this is the best deal you can get on a restrictive budget. Where other budget laptops try to catch your attention through flashy unconventional colors, Lenovo has taken a high road. The finish might not be the best you see in the market but the important thing is that this laptop gets the work done and that’s what makes it so desirable at such a price.