what's a good laptop/netbook for school work involving microsoft office and web browsing?

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plrbear1028

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Jun 27, 2014
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I need to find a relatively fast computer that I will use for school. I see that Asus 15 Chromebook is the way to go, but it doesn't seem like it supports Microsoft products. I also see HP stream is good too. I would like a pretty fast computer that'll allow me to web browse and complete my homework without any problems. My budget is under 300
 
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Under 300 is really really low budget to get you a Windows laptop. Laptop's like Chromebook do not have Microsoft Windows but Chrome OS which will not allow you to run Microsoft Office and many other programs you will need, most anything under $300 new is going to be Chrome OS

If you can up your budget to the $350-375 range then you can easily find a laptop with a Core i3 cpu and that will provide you with enough performance for what you need.
If in the USA, you can watch tigerdirect refurbished deals. I got a refurb ASUS core i3 for $330ish a couple years ago. Just make sure the cpu is at minimum a 2XXX model number (latest processors are 5XXX).
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boosted1g

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Under 300 is really really low budget to get you a Windows laptop. Laptop's like Chromebook do not have Microsoft Windows but Chrome OS which will not allow you to run Microsoft Office and many other programs you will need, most anything under $300 new is going to be Chrome OS

If you can up your budget to the $350-375 range then you can easily find a laptop with a Core i3 cpu and that will provide you with enough performance for what you need.
If in the USA, you can watch tigerdirect refurbished deals. I got a refurb ASUS core i3 for $330ish a couple years ago. Just make sure the cpu is at minimum a 2XXX model number (latest processors are 5XXX).
 
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jtabb1256

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For under $300, refurbished is definitely the way to go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834299599
Is a laptop with an ssd, which helps enormously with boot time and opening up applications. But it is only 128 gb. If all you put on your laptop is microsoft office and only store your notes and projects on it, then 128gb is enough.
I'm a student as well, and I know that I like to store music and have a few pictures and games on my laptop.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834299597
Is almost the same laptop as the other one, but it has a 500gb hard drive, which is more than enough for a student.
I have a computer similiar to that, except with a 3rd gen i5 instead of a 2nd gen i3. I like having the extra storage, but there are several times that I'm waiting for my computer to turn on (or log on) and open up microsoft office while the teacher is talking and I can't take notes. SSD would greatly help this.

Regardless of your decision on SSD or HDD, these laptops are 14" and are very portable (although maybe not as thin as some computers)

One potential problem with any computer under $300 is the amount of ram. These only have 4gb ram. 4gb ram is plenty for just taking notes or having a few tabs open on your browser, but working on projects is different.

When I work on research projects/essays, I know that I use more than 4gb ram when I have several powerpoints and word docs up with 15 tabs open in a browser. (Usually takes ~ 6 gb ram)
 
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plrbear1028

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I think my main question now would be, is a used computer worth it?
 
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jtabb1256

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For your budget, it's the only practical option. Being refurbished means that the laptop's worn out parts should have been replaced, but make sure that there is a warranty or insurance available in case something breaks shortly after you get the laptop.

If you don't want anything used, then I see why you were looking at Chromebooks. Chrome OS does have some kind of office suite available to it (Some Google owned thing), but it will have limitations that a used windows laptop won't have. It will probably be less powerful as well.

If you are going to college, see if that college rents out laptops or lets you check out a laptop for free. (the school library is normally responsible for this)
 
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