Done

[professionaldude]

Recommend me a laptop 14" Or 15.6 " with minimum i5 and 4 GB RAM (Should have option for upgrade up to 6GB) Hard drive 350GB or more. My budget is under $600.
I was interested in this (http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=72597&vpn=K53E-DB31-CA&manufacture=ASUS) but its discontinued as per CSR.
Thank you

End up buying Acer from futureshop which was on sale (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/acer-acer-aspire-14-2nd-gen-intel-core-i3-2350m-laptop-as4752-6445-black-as4752-6445/10191055.aspx?path=8c154e576d3b520d50c38793a0294c8 1en02).

[dngo12]

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lenovo-lenovo-15-6-2nd-gen-intel-core-i5-2410m-laptop-1066xf1-english-black-refurbished-1066xf1/10185922.aspx

[DavidY]

Go with either 4 GB or 8 GB. Upgrading from 4 to 8 GB is only like ~$20 plus tax (assuming one 4 GB slot is open). A good number of laptops have 2 memory slots....some are configured 2x2 GB or 1x4 GB. If both slots are full, you would need to replace one or two with a larger memory module (for a total of 6 or 8 GB). Dual channel memory may apply too.

There is a big difference between a 14 and 15.6 inch laptop IMO...both in size and weight. Most 14 inch laptops are 5 pounds or less....and often are more expensive. 15.6 inch laptops are often 5 to 6 pounds (sometimes more). Some 15.6 inch laptops have a number keypad. 14 inch often do not.

Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E430 can be configured with an i5-2450M (i3-2350M is standard) and a larger HDD (320 GB 7200 rpm is standard)...typically either 500 GB 5400 rpm, 500 GB 7200 rpm or 750 GB 5400 rpm. A 720p webcam is optional at $30 too. For example, an i5, 500 GB 7200 rpm and webcam is just over $600 before tax with free shipping (usually takes several weeks from time of order...made in China and shipped to Canada). You also get a US keyboard. NOTE: this is NOT a gamer. Review of the E430 here: http://www.studentbuyingguide.com/2012/05/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-e430-review/

Dave

[professionaldude]

What you guyz think of Dell Vostro 3550 with i5 comes to under $550 ?
Description Vostro 3550 (http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cabsdt1&l=en&OC=NB_V3550_CD_E)

Module Description Show Details
Vostro 3550 Vostro 3550 Laptop
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit english
Processor 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ i5-2450M Processor (2.50GHz, with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.10GHz)
Memory 4GB DDR3 at 1333MHZ, 1 DIMM
Keyboard Keyboard with Gesture Touchpad
Video Card Intel® HD Graphics 3000 with up to 1.6GB Dynamic Video Memory
Hard Drive 500GB SATA Hard Drive
Security Options Fingerprint Reader with DigitalPersona software
Display 15.6 inch High Definition LED Display (1366 x 768) with anti-glare
AC Adapter 65 Watt Slim AC Adapter with cord wrapping
Optical Drives 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
Camera and Digital Microphone Integrated HD Webcam and Digital Array Mic with Dell Webcam Central
Wireless Cards Intel WiFi 1030 802.11 b/g/n/BT3.0 Combo
Cvr LCD Back Aberdeen Silver WIFI
Productivity Software Microsoft® Office Starter 2010
Bottome Base Bottom Base DVD
Antivirus/Security Suite (Pre-install) Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services, 15 months
Primary Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Support Services 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year NBD Onsite Service
Mobile Broadband No Mobile Broadband
E-Star Energy Star 5.0 Enabled
Color Aberdeen Silver
Purchase Intent Purchase is Not Intended for Resale
TOTAL: $476.10
Sub-total $476.10
Shipping $0.00
PST $0.00
GST $0.00
HST $61.98
Environmental Disposal Fee $0.70
Total Price $538.78
Edit: I don't see an option to upgarde RAM to 8GB :(

[professionaldude]

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/lenovo-lenovo-15-6-2nd-gen-intel-core-i5-2410m-laptop-1066xf1-english-black-refurbished-1066xf1/10185922.aspx

I know it has a 1 year warranty but I still prefer a new one.

@ Dave Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E430 looks nice but its more than my budget.

[DavidY]

Edit: I don't see an option to upgarde RAM to 8GB :(

Typically, it's cheaper to add it yourself. For example, Lenovo wants like $160 to upgrade from 4 to 8 GB....I have the Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E420 with 2x2 GB....replaced with 2x4 GB RAM for $40 plus tax at BB. Took less than 5 minutes to install the memory.

Dave

[professionaldude]

Under RAM configuration, I am not sure what's the difference between these two options.

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHZ, 2 DIMM [add $10.00]
4GB DDR3 at 1333MHZ, 1 DIMM [Included in Price]

[DavidY]

I know it has a 1 year warranty but I still prefer a new one.

@ Dave Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E430 looks nice but its more than my budget.

There are a number of configurations for under $600 including:

An i3-2350M and a 320 GB 7200 rpm HDD is $494.xx (no webcam; $30 option).
An i5-2450M and a 500 GB 5400 rpm HDD is $548.xx (no webcam).

Dave

[DavidY]

Under RAM configuration, I am not sure what's the difference between these two options.

4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHZ, 2 DIMM [add $10.00]
4GB DDR3 at 1333MHZ, 1 DIMM [Included in Price]


The first one appears to be 2x2GB. No free slots left. Slightly faster dual channel memory. Costs you $10 more....a waste if you are going to 8 GB.
The second one is 1x4GB. 1 free slot.

Dave