<$500 laptop...A8 as good as it gets?

[Bond007]

I have been looking for a while for a sub 500 before tax laptop with a 15.6" screen (would settle for 14"). The more ram the better, and HDD size doesn't really matter. USB 3.0 would be nice, but isn't required.

Will be a general use computer, but I will take whatever gaming ability I can get.

Acer has a 15.6" Aspire that is currently $449. 4gb ram, 640gb HDD, and its an a8-3500m (only usb 2.0).

Do you think that's as good as I'll get for my price range, or do you think something like an i3/i5 with a gt 540 could come in my range, or something better?

[Bond007]

Anyone?

[JJThomp]

I haven't seen any i5 with a GT 540 for anything under $600. But you might be abke to find an i3 system with something a little less than a 540 for $500

[b1lk1]

Only way to get anything under $500 that can game is to buy used or refurbished. Don't forget the tax man if you are buying new as well. That $449 laptop is really just over $500 after taxes and then there is that fee they are still tacking on of somewhere between $10-20. I'd personally buy used and get more for your money.