15.6" Laptop with i3 CPU and DVD-RW Drive

LMugsy on 11/06/2016 - 08:14

Parents laptop is getting onto 5yrs old now so looking for a new laptop for them.

Current one has a slow Celeron CPU with 2Gb RAM. Am hoping to pick up an i3 with at least 4Gb RAM and a DVD-RW drive is preferred. Needs to be 15.6" screen though. 1366x768 res is ideal for them since any higher, the icons become a tad small for them.

Any recommendations and links will be appreciated. I've gotten a lenovo i3 13.3" for $400 in the past and have seen the odd deal for 15.6" i3's at that price point before so hoping something good comes up.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • altomic on 11/06/2016 - 10:13

    Why not add more ram and clean install win10?

    • Mugsy on 11/06/2016 - 14:07

      I can't add more RAM onto this model and the point was to buy a new machine in case the old one dies. It has been 5yrs and had played up once or twice in the past two years.

  • cDNA on 11/06/2016 - 13:31

    Spend a good $800 from the dell outlet. You can get a dell latitude 15.6"

    • Mugsy on 11/06/2016 - 14:12

      I've already looked at:

      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322006998317

      as well as the 4Gb model and the reviews say the screen is dull and dim. It's a laptop for my parents who are 60yrs+ and don't have the best eyesight… 1366x768 is the perfect resolution but a dull screen isn't the best for 1-2hrs use on their eyes. And their preference is to not have a monitor on their small desk… explored that option already.

      A $400 i3 15.6" is more than enough anyway… don't need to waste another $200+ as that money could be spent on something better.

      • Peace Maker on 11/06/2016 - 14:45

        I think he means this one. You need to check it on a weekday though.

        • Mugsy on 11/06/2016 - 16:30

          Thanks for clarifying.

          Though I'm interested to see what the benefits of the latitude is over something like:

          http://techforpennies.com/asus-x540la-si30205p-laptop-review…

          which can be had close to ~AU$470 come the next ebay sale. My folks really aren't going to make use of more ram or a faster processor. They don't play games, watch movies, or listen to music on their laptop. About the only thing I can think of is an SSD.

          On a 15.6" monitor, resolutions greater than 1366x768 is actually worse. So unless the latitude's screen really is nice to look at of if the latitude comes with an SSD, I'm not sure the extra $300+ can be justified.

        • Peace Maker on 11/06/2016 - 17:15

          @Mugsy: latitude is Dell's 'business grade' range. More sturdy, nicer finish, more I/O choices etc. Inspiron is the 'consumer grade' but still perfectly usable.

          I've had both and either is fine for what you are describing.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join