EFIDynoTuning Forum

I need a new laptop, whats the best bang for the buck I can get for $500

Assuming you don't care about a touchscreen or 2in1 convertable.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Ideap ... 82SG00BLUS

If you can spring an extra 100 bucks:

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/ ... ZUQAvD_BwE

i second efloth's lenovo recommendation. imo they're the best no-frills, simple, cheap, functional laptops. one thing i like about most of their models too is that the ac adapter connector is usually a rectangular port - the cheap barrel type connectors are basically guaranteed to fail at some point if you're always plugging it in/unplugging it and they're likely going to break off the board if you accidentally yank it.

If you want something less throwaway, Framework has cheap b-stock of their first gen laptops. Fantastic build quality, and you can upgrade everything on them as time goes on. Battery life sucked on the 1st and 2nd gens, though, and the $500 doesn't include memory, WiFi, storage, or expansion cards, so it doesn't quite fit your budget unless you can pull that stuff off of another laptop (expansion cards are $10~$20)

any recommendations for a smaller screen?

the smaller the better. I used to have a 7" back in the day that was perfect

i do a lot of traveling so being able to set it on the tray trable on an airplane is extremely beneficial.

That size category has been taken over by tablets, unfortunately. Assuming you're looking for a Windows machine?

yeah

the issue i have with lenovo is its no so easy to swap batteries

my last lenovo blew out the video card cuz the battery isnt removable during a screen replacement

would rather not have to assemble and install windows etc..

I’ve always had dells, my 13” dell xps is perfect, cost around 1200, going on 7 years, has windows 11, just upgraded to 2TB hard drive

this is in the lead right now, few more bucks $800

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-2 ... psc=1&th=1

15" definitely won't be usable on a plane, though...