Buying new laptop ($350)

[SkwishyDunkeYxD]

Hey guys,
I'm getting a new laptop as a freshman in college. My HP Mini with its 512mb RAM is killing me considering that I can't even run videos above 240p without lag. I'm looking for a computer that I can get the best performance for around the $350 range. I don't need a gaming laptop, just something that could play older games without problem and maybe some low-end strategy games. Just the best I can get. Any ideas? Thanks :]

P.S. I don't care if it's actually considered a notebook, the size doesn't matter to me: just how I can use it ;D

These are the notebooks I've thought about:

http://www.amazon.com/K200MA-DS01T-WH-11-6-Inch-Touchscreen-Laptop-White/dp/B00LO3K0B6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412221121&sr=8-2&keywords=asus+k200ma

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231876

 

[clayofthe757]

Let's not be specific. You'll be hard pressed to find anything impressive for that budget. But streaming, easy gaming, and school use are easy. Look for something with i3 or i5 or Radeon Graphics on the promotional sticker and you'll be good to go. It's nothing more complicated than that.

Best of luck to you!

 

[rockie_]

option 1

A6 6310 has integrated graphics with 128 stream processors . Thus it should run old games well and some new ones.
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Puma/AMD-A6-Series%20A6-6310.html

 

[SkwishyDunkeYxD]

Let's not be specific. You'll be hard pressed to find anything impressive for that budget. But streaming, easy gaming, and school use are easy. Look for something with i3 or i5 or Radeon Graphics on the promotional sticker and you'll be good to go. It's nothing more complicated than that.

Best of luck to you!

Anything specific?

 

[velo3100]

The hp is actually a good choice for a budget end as they will last assuming you don't push the setting in the game. I managed to find a better one on their website with an a8 apu and an R5 gpu.

Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-laptop-amd-a8-series-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-black-licorice/8458106.p?id=1219336309741&skuId=8458106&st=categoryid$abcat0502000&cp=1&lp=2.

 

[SkwishyDunkeYxD]

The hp is actually a good choice for a budget end as they will last assuming you don't push the setting in the game. I managed to find a better one on their website with an a8 apu and an R5 gpu.

Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-laptop-amd-a8-series-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-black-licorice/8458106.p?id=1219336309741&skuId=8458106&st=categoryid$abcat0502000&cp=1&lp=2.

Is it worth the extra 30 dollars for the R5 as apposed to the one that rockie mentioned?

 

[rockie_]

The hp is actually a good choice for a budget end as they will last assuming you don't push the setting in the game. I managed to find a better one on their website with an a8 apu and an R5 gpu.

Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-laptop-amd-a8-series-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-black-licorice/8458106.p?id=1219336309741&skuId=8458106&st=categoryid$abcat0502000&cp=1&lp=2.

Is it worth the extra 30 dollars for the R5 as apposed to the one that rockie mentioned?

A8 6410 has 128 shaders too but features R5 and has a little higher base clock . The more the better , so get it - only extra $20

 

[velo3100]

The hp is actually a good choice for a budget end as they will last assuming you don't push the setting in the game. I managed to find a better one on their website with an a8 apu and an R5 gpu.

Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6-laptop-amd-a8-series-4gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-black-licorice/8458106.p?id=1219336309741&skuId=8458106&st=categoryid$abcat0502000&cp=1&lp=2.

Is it worth the extra 30 dollars for the R5 as apposed to the one that rockie mentioned?

It depends on the settings of the game. I would look at the specs for the games you play and then see if you need the extra performance. Personally I would get it just so that the laptop lasts longer and will enable you to do more if you need to.