overwhelmed computer shopping!

I know pretty much what I need, but once I actually started shopping and looking for it, I've found that i'm aparently in over my head..

I want someone to help me, please!!!

This laptop will be hooked up to my livingroom entertainment system, so it will have to play HD movies, mild to moderate gaming, and surfing the web.

My MINIMUM requirements are as follows

full size laptop
hdmi out
4gb ram
windows 7 64 bit
500gb hd
wifi

I don't know what my ideal processor is. I would imagine i3 would suit it just fine?

also I would like this for cheap as possible, preferebly no more than 300 bucks (but i know that's pushing it) shipped to 45420.

I've come up with some things, but I would like to see what other people think would be a viable option.

 

there were these ones at walmart that had 6gb ram and an i3, 500gb hd, and it was 400, but two different walmarts were sold out of it.

basically i've looked at walmart (physical location)
ebay
craigslist
amazon
google came up with a couple good ones like this but it's refurbished. i don't know if that's bad or not.
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_...code=cii_17588969&cpncode=30-75496090-2#specs

 

I wouldn't spend less than $400 for a decent machine.

i3 should be fine ... just make sure it has a decent graphics card as well.

Personally I'd look at Asus. I had some good experiences with them.

I wouldn't do used or refurbished.

 

The thing they get you on is the hard drive and the 64-bit.

If you want a 500G hard drive, plan on spending a little more than $300. Most come with the 320G for that price...at least that's what I found for that price.

We are currently using an old desktop as our "media center" in the living room. It works out well and fits right next to our TV stand perfectly.

Depending on the brand, desktops can be much cheaper than laptops with those specs.

 

^^^ This!... Why the need fpr a laptop in this scenario? Building a desktop or media center would be cheaper and more powerful... also upgradeable in the future.

 

Tigerdirect.com may help you find one.

 

Agree 100%.

 

it has to be a laptop because of where it has to physically sit on top of my stereo cabinet. Also, it has the portabililty option. like if i'm going on vacation or an extended trip, I can just grab it and go.

I guess a horizontal desktop style would work too, but definately not a tower.

 

Google Home Theater PC or HTPC...

I would only get a laptop if portability is the number one reason for getting a computer system.

 

ok i bought one. i got the asus model x401a

$300--
4gb ram
320gb HD
pentium b970 dual core
hdmi out

there is no optical drive, so i had to buy a 16gb flash drive for a boot disk.

I got it from best buy


I really do prefer the upgradability of desktops, but i already got one of those.

 

aparently i get to upgrade to windows 8 for fifteen bucks in a couple weeks too

 

You may not want Win8... apparently it sucks for everything except touchscreen tablets.

 

duly noted. I haven't even bothered looking at a demo of it or anything yet. usually customer reviews tell all