best cheap writer's laptop? tips for holiday sales maximization ?

[dandypandys]

Anyone have any recs for cheaper laptops- maybe under 500.. for my writer husband? His 2011 mac is on the way out.
He probably prefers new.
We are looking at the Black Friday ads, but so don't know how best to search through all of it!
Any tips for holiday sales and laptops?

[daverobev]

What does he use to write? Just Open Office or Microsoft Word? Google Docs?

If you JUST want to type, anything will do. A $120 Chromebook will do. Get a USB keyboard that is comfortable to type on.

If you want everything else, I really like Dell Outlet - off-lease, 3 year old business laptops. Latitude, not Inspiron. They are just so much better quality than any of the cheap shit you'll be getting from HP, Acer and the like.

[kms]

The most important question is what software he used so far to write. If it's a Mac-specific software he might need another Mac, if it's something that is also available on Windows, Linux, or online (Google Docs, Microsoft Office Online, etc.) anything will do.

[dandypandys]

he mainly uses microsoft.. yeah.
thanks for the recs!

[kms]

Office online or Office offline?

Chromebooks offer an incredible value for their money but require you to work online constantly. OTOH a Windows laptop will work offline but requires much more maintenance and care than a Chromebook.

[ketchup]

I'd look at Latitudes on Dell Outlet.  All are refurbs, mis-orders, scratch-n-dent, etc.  Same warranty as new.  Deals vary over time but on average are quite good.

https://outlet.us.dell.com/ArbOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&brandid=2801&sign=PXhcOSHtr1T4IOw%2fPR7UdXEWB0gDS5TXKXtoxfClj9H2kEDR6GrHOZlp%2f%2f%2frsMNQSkWgq63R%2bsEVgh6foo7GYeWKkb6qZUf2EtLTgY5XVpdMUSc79vaMm0JwNeoSxqre4aOpcqJFTnpPv59H0uVYtvdFM1sRomozmksafvU84KSjYDVf%2bqwI3XqWIpHYJd43I8xaf2XG9TPwb5AeE4ekD3F7hEzLwKYk7Yt8payJGSxqY0HxJuOjDn4pyBDrzoyv

[Dr.Jeckyl]

Something compact but with a decent keyboard and good battery life. I don't write much but when I do I appreciate the portability of being able to go anywhere to do it. I have a laptop at home that is a powerhouse with a big screen but it is a beast. I don't mind leaving it on the kitchen peninsula to do bills but I hate taking it anywhere. My new work laptop is awesome. It's light with a solid state hard drive and has super long battery life.

[dandypandys]

thanks everyone! We ended up getting a Thinkpad from Lenova site.. used the thanksgiving code to get a good discount.. then also, we went to site via ebates- got an extra 8% cashback-- plus used my CC for an extra 1.5%
NICE
thanks for the help!