Another budget spec me thread...

TheStarkFactor · 17 Dec 2014 at 06:20

Hey.

I currently have a HP Chromebook (11" model with the superb panel) and it has served me well for the past six months but I could really be doing with having more grunt and full windows.

So I am on the look out for a budget laptop.

Key requirements are:

1) A quality screen/panel - equal to the chromebook.
2) An SSD.
3) No larger than 13"
4) Wireless AC/N
5) Windows 8.1

Budget is around £250. The laptop doesn't need to be new, so happy to consider refurbs and used.

Does such a device exist?

TheStarkFactor · 20 Dec 2014 at 20:48

Anyone?

TheStarkFactor · 28 Dec 2014 at 13:03

Hmmm.

Would you get a newer laptop such as the ACER Aspire ES1-512 or an older one, which gets excellent reviews such as the HP Elitebook 8440p?

Both are around £200, though the elitebook seems better specced and of better build quality, but is older.

AthlonXP1800 · 28 Dec 2014 at 19:51

But both ACER Aspire ES1-512 and HP Elitebook 8440p did not have SSD that did not met all your requirements.

You could look at HP Stream 13-c009sa 13" Laptop cost around £225 that met all of your requirements, it has 64GB SSD.

TheStarkFactor · 28 Dec 2014 at 19:54

AthlonXP1800 said:
But both ACER Aspire ES1-512 and HP Elitebook 8440p did not have SSD that did not met all your requirements.

You could look at HP Stream 13-c009sa 13" Laptop cost around £225 that met all of your requirements, it has 64GB SSD.

Hey.

I plan to remove the HDD and install an SSD in the 8440p.

I had a look at the HP Stream today, wasn't amazed by the screen. It's just unfortunate that I can't check out the 8440p in person, due to it's age, though it gets great write ups.

AthlonXP1800 · 28 Dec 2014 at 21:21

TheStarkFactor said:
Hey.

I plan to remove the HDD and install an SSD in the 8440p.

I had a look at the HP Stream today, wasn't amazed by the screen. It's just unfortunate that I can't check out the 8440p in person, due to it's age, though it gets great write ups.

Well I had a look at HP Stream 13 at Currys last Monday, the screen quality is fine and I was able to see at all angles. But unfortunately after searched for HP 8440p review, it turned out that laptop is nearly 5 years old with poor quality screen that cannot view at all angles, lacked USB 3.0 port and it got old slower 5th Gen HD graphics supported DirectX 10 with 17.1GB memory bandwidth but it did not supported Intel Quick Sync Video.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-EliteBook-8440p-WJ681AW-Notebook.29506.0.html

So HP Stream 13 I saw is really very nice laptop, the screen is looked so much better than screen on HP 8440p, it got USB 3.0 port and has latest graphics based on current 7th Gen HD graphics supported DirectX 11 with bigger and faster 21.3GB memory bandwidth plus supported Intel Quick Sync Video. The laptop come with free 1 year Office 365 subscription, a year free 1TB OneDrive storage and free £20 Windows Store voucher.

I looked at Acer E15 ES1-512 reviews on youtube, the screen looked so much better than HP 8440p.