[Angriff]

So my friend wants to get a laptop. He doesn't do much besides Facebook, Youtube, and play a few mediocre games. I said I would help him find a decent laptop between $250 - $450. So we came across these three:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...482&CatId=4938
This one has a decent CPU, biggest HDD space. But can any tell me about Lenovo? Are they a brand to stay away from or no?

This one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834101273
This one is refurbished but it is very decent for the price. The only exception is would you guys trust buying a refurbished item?

And this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834246310
Once again, another Lenovo. So what would be the best deal money-wise?
He doesn't want to get a system that will crap out on him and he doesn't want to pay lots for one. So opinions, opinions, opinions. I appreciate any responses and thank you. =] [/FONT]

[Triple6]

I'd stay away from Gateway, eMachines, Acer - all the same company, all the same cheap products.

Lenovo is a good brand, they bought what use to be the IBM personal line of computers.
These are their cheaper models but still good compared to other stuff on the market. The IdeaPad Z575 is the faster of the units.

[valis]

also think we need to define what 'mediocre' games mean. To me, it's something entirely different from a gamer buddy of mine.

[Angriff]

Thanks a lot Triple. I didnt really assume Acer was that bad of a brand. And by mediocre, I mean maple story and mine craft. But nothing like Skyrim or crysis. So do you also agree with the IdeaPad?

[Angriff]

One thing I forgot to add is that hes also starting music production. Including software like fl studio.

[sonexpc]

From the performance view

i3-2310M > A4-3300m > E450 -> 2602 VS 2049 VS 759
so for the fastest is i3-2310M and Not much big sale on the markey now before you can buy brand new for $449

I also don't like Gateway and e-machine they are lowend of Acer... But i can accept Acer.

If must choose I will go for the IdeaPad for $399

[Triple6]

Any of these will work for FL Studio, but the faster and more cores the better. He may want to get an external sound card depending on what he's doing.

The GPU shoudl be adequate for those games as well.

[NomGar]

I'm his friends, hah. And ive been working on a dubstep kind of sound and will most likely get a sound card sometime in the near future. So Triple, in your opinion, which do you think is best for Fl Studio and those other small things mentioned above?

[NomGar]

Friend*

[Triple6]

Of the three listed, the Lenovo IdeaPad Z575 has the fastest CPU. But as noted these are all very entry level laptops and processors, anything with an i3 or better yet an i5 would be much faster.

[Angriff]

Yeah, I looked at a few Pentiums. But I wasn't aware of which kind. I'm not very acknowledged with Intel processors so I'm only aware of the Pentiums and i3,5,7. I'm more into AMD. Yeah, NomGar said he will buy a sound card eventually. So I guess the IdeaPad is the best option. Thanks guys.