Looking for a Windows laptop for work use

[Jonathan7789]

Hello Tom's Hardware!

My wife needs to get a Windows laptop for work so she can do some web accessibility audits. Her requirements list is pretty simple.

- Be able to run Chrome, Internet Explorer 11, and Firefox. Ideally, be able to run all at the same time.

- Run JAWS: https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/JAWS/JAWS-System-Requirements

- Run NVDA https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/documentation/userGuide.html#SystemRequirements

- Be easily portable and run everything at a reasonable speed.

- Have a screen at least as wide as the long side of a tablet, so responsive sites read it as “bigger than tablet-sized”

We checked out some stock Best Buy laptops, but I wanted to ask here as I want to ensure she gets the best bang for her buck before purchasing.

Thanks!

 

[Barty1884]

The requirements are pretty trivial in 2019, so you shouldn't have any issues with almost anything off the shelf.

As far as "value", what kind of budget are you working with?

Just taking a quick look at NewEgg, a Ryzen5 2500U / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD is ~$460 and would appear to be some of the best 'value' if buying new.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16834850877

Realistically though, for the needs you've described, you could go lower (new), or even look to refurbished.
For example: i5-5200U, 8GB, 128GB SSD. $300
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADSE8SU9284

For the price difference, I'd opt for the new laptop, but the refurb unit would be more than capable.

 

[Jonathan7789]

I'll check in with my wife. I think she wants to stay closer to $300.