Without getting into the intricacies of Moore’s law, we can simply agree that technology is constantly getting cheaper. Laptops, which in years past, cost staggering amounts, can now be had for very little money. Going for the cheapest option may not be the best idea, however. If you’re willing to shell out roughly £400, there are quite a few attractive options. Here are two of the many which perform well, and are more than adequate in handling most people’s computing needs.
Acer Aspire 5741
The 5741 is another installment in low cost laptops with strong performance. It features the Intel i5-430 processor and a solid 3GB of RAM. The Aspire 5741 also features all the standards you would expect including 2.4GHz 802.11 WIFI, three USB ports, and an HDMI out which lets you watch 1080p on an HDVT.
The graphics processor is rather weak, but then again, this isn’t a gaming laptop, but rather a low cost model with functionality in mind. The keyboard is an adequate size, making it rather easy to type on. It features a 15.6” screen with 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, seemingly standard in this level of laptop. Overall it features great functionality, especially in day to day functions, such as e-mail, web browsing, and use with MS Office. It’s a great value for the money.
Samsung R530
Although budget laptops tend to have a very bland look, the Samsung R530 is a surprisingly handsome model. The keyboard performs well, and the R530 boasts 244 minutes of batter life, making it an ideal travel companion. For less than 500GBP you also get a 500GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM.
The screen is another strong point of the R530, featuring 1366 x 768-pixel resolution. This makes it ideal for viewing films and photos. The graphics engine is verage, but this should be expected from a budget model. It will handle your basic functions admirably, and can take on advanced functions such as video and photo editing.
