Ask Engadget: Best non-netbook laptop for around $400?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Todd, who's looking to snap up a solid cheap laptop (for his father-in-law, no less!) before that fateful Friday in December. Have a look below and hand out some Christmas cheer, won't you?

"My father-in-law is heading back to school in the spring and wants a laptop for Christmas. The only catch is their budget is around $400 and he does not want a netbook. He's not very "tech savvy" at all and doesn't need a hoss of a machine (not that $400 could get you one). We would like to get it for him as soon as possible and would love some input. Thanks for any help and Happy Holidays!"

We've already penned our laptop gift guide for 2009, but we understand the desire to get more input for this particular scenario. It's tough to find a sub-$400 machine that's not a netbook (and not a total heap), but we're confident that one or two gems are out there. Spill it if you know it, cool?

[iofthestorm Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:25AM]

@kickace That looks awesome, thanks a lot. This topic is hilariously coincidental, because my dad is looking to get a laptop. He wanted to get a netbook but the reason he's getting a new laptop is because his laptop is too slow, and I told him that if his current laptop is too slow a netbook will be even slower. This will be perfect, especially with the coupon code and bing cash back.

[Yandereboat Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:27AM]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115654&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL121109&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL121109-_-Notebooks-_-L0F-_-34115654
One of these, when they get them back in stock.
Main point, you want 4GB of RAM and an AMD processor, so that you get a graphics card, which you need these days-my laptop's an Intel, and it can barely play Doom at max. resolution or watch HD Youtube.

[danishsmiths Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:30AM]

Free Matrimony

[DJEMARK Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:46AM]

AVERATEC 2500 N2573VH1E-1
Here's what I think is major about it..

-12.1"
-AMD TurionTM 64 X2
-3 GB DDR2 (677) expandable to 8 GB
-250GB SATA
-SuperMulti Dual Layer DVD burner
-PCI Express Card Slot CPU
-1600 MHz Front side Bus!!

[loismustdie Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:15PM]

@DJEMARK You can Hackintosh it too! :)

[loismustdie Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:16PM]

@loismustdie Nevermind, it's AMD :(

[Eternity Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:15AM]

I suggest Lenovo over Acer....more reliable.

[androoyang Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:55AM]

@Eternity
usually more expensive though. At a $400 price point, it'd be very hard (unless you're going with lenovo's netbook) to match the specs of the others mentioned.

[combatcameraman Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:56AM]

Make friends with some criminals. Worked for me.
I just got a brand new new 17" Macbook Pro for £100. I think that's about $160.
Top end one too with the 3.06GHz processor. I know this may not be entirely helpful, but I'm well happy about it and just had to share.

[tnkgrl Posted Dec 18th 2009 1:59AM]

That's easy! Acer Aspire 1410 - no doubt about it... http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/unboxing-the-acer-aspire-1410/

[yulebellow Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:28AM]

@(Unverified)

Thats two votes.

[Lord HowitHurtz Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:13AM]

I just bought an Acer Aspire AS5532-5535 at best buy for $299 for my girlfriend as an xmas present. It's on sale until saturday. Yea yea it's a single core but it's a perfect laptop for a beginner. I just hope to god she will actually use it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+Aspire+Laptop+with+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+Single-Core+Processor/9555769.p?skuId=9555769&ref=10&loc=Sunday%20Ad&id=1218127632130

[yus9 Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:26AM]

HOT little machine for $399
Acer Aspire 11.6" AS1410 with the SU2300 DualCore CPU.
Be aware...
Same machine is also sold at the same price with
slower SU3500 and Intel 743 Core2Solo CPUs.

[yulebellow Posted Dec 18th 2009 2:28AM]

@yus9

Thats three votes.

[atwood7fan Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:26PM]

@yus9
I have the SU3500 version and its still pretty fast... that celeron version is the pits though.

[loismustdie Posted Dec 18th 2009 6:17PM]

@yus9 It would be a good Hackintosh

[Galley Posted Dec 18th 2009 8:23AM]

A 3.5 year old MacBook

[cbuck Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:02AM]

Lenovo ThinkPad SL510 for $449.10

Intel Celeron processor T3000 (1.8GHz, 800MHz, 1MBL2, 35W)
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Windows 7 Home Premium 32 or 64

Enter coupon code: USPTHINKPAD at checkout.
You can upgrade to the 2.1GHz proc for $25.
Tax may be added depending on your state.

[cbuck Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:03AM]

@cbuck

link:
https://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/systemconfig.runtime.workflow:LoadRuntimeTree?sb=:00000025:00002810:&smid=ED2B473A3EB14B7AB79E1378C264593A

[adriannb Posted Dec 18th 2009 11:01AM]

I know its a little higher than $400. If you can still find them in store. Bestbuy - $449

HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Pentium® Processor - Espresso Black
Model: dv4-1548dx | SKU: 9663058

14", 4GB mem, 250GB HD

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174;+Pentium%26%23174;+Processor+-+Espresso+Black/9663058.p?id=1218140710767&skuId=9663058

[Wolfie351 Posted Dec 18th 2009 11:52AM]

I don't care how powerful a machine is, but anything under 13" is considered a netbook to me. I just picked up the 13.3" MSI X320 for $379 and threw on Win7. With the exception of the crappy keyboard, everything else is great and it's super thin. Flash 10.1 works like a charm as well

[srismart Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:43PM]

The entire ULV (Ultra-low voltage) line should be a good fit:
Aspire 1410,
Aspire timeline (13"/14"/15")
Gateway EC series
Ideapad U350
Dell z Series (Inspiron 11z etc)
Dell Vostro v13

If an internal Optical (CD/DVD-RW) drive is preferred, then the 14" screen size is often the minimum requirement.

The other advantag with these machines are that they are thin and light as well with long battery lives.

Depending on the use of coupons and/or buying refurbished, you could snatch a clean deal for under $400 + tax or shipping as the case may be.

HTH.

[golfreak12 Posted Dec 18th 2009 9:20PM]

I think by far the best $400 notebook is the Acer 1410.
The one with the dual core SU2300.
Very portable.
Good battery and it doesn't stick put.
ULV proccessor thats fast enough for most tasks.
I can't find 1 single fault except that its not the greatest looking notebook but its good looking enough.
No DVD drive but you need to go to at least a 13.3 to get one and you certainly can't get one for $400 plus the extra weight.
Priced at exactly $400 but its really hard to find right now.

[yus9 Posted Dec 18th 2009 10:19PM]

Yea.. the Acer AS1410 is one fine little notebook for anyone who wants the power of a notebook with the size of a netbook for $399. (6 hour battery life, HDMI, wireless N, 4GB memory, etc.

[cedon Posted Dec 19th 2009 12:53PM]

im loving my Gateway NV52
athlon 64 X2 QL -64 processor
15.6" 16:9 HD LED LCD screen
320 GB HDD
4 GB Ram
DVD-super multi Dl drive
webcam
multi in 1 card reader
ATI graphics

looks and runs great, had it since august/september
beautiful screen.
paid about $430+tax at bestbuy in central ohioee emium)pgrade from vista home pru
for the money i couldn't beat it, might be better/comperable models out there by now, but this one is a keeper.
p.s. running windows 7 (fr

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[The Missing Link Posted Jan 31st 2010 2:31PM]

Whatever you do, don't go with Acer. They get so damn slow over only a few months because of poor manufacturing quality.