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Hey everyone!

I'm on the hunt for a new budget laptop, ideally under $600. I need something for general use – browsing, streaming, some light productivity work (Google Docs, spreadsheets), and maybe occasional photo editing. Portability is a plus, but battery life is more important.

My current top contenders are:

• Acer Aspire 5: Seems like a solid all-rounder for the price.
• Lenovo IdeaPad 3: Good reviews for its build quality and performance.
• HP Pavilion: Often has good deals and decent specs.

Has anyone had positive experiences with these, or have other models you'd recommend? What should I be looking out for in terms of specs (RAM, SSD vs HDD, processor)?

Hi Jane!

I recently picked up an Acer Aspire 5 with an i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD for about $550. It's been fantastic for my daily tasks. Boot times are super fast, and it handles multitasking smoothly. The screen is decent for the price too.

Definitely go for an SSD if you can – it makes a HUGE difference compared to an HDD. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM for smooth operation in 2024.

I'd say check Amazon and Best Buy regularly for sales. You can often snag a great deal.

For photo editing, even basic stuff, 8GB RAM is the absolute minimum. If you can stretch your budget slightly or find a deal, 16GB would be ideal. It really smooths out applications like Photoshop or GIMP.

Also, consider the display. For photo editing, a good color accuracy is important. Many budget laptops have TN panels which aren't great for color. Look for IPS panels if possible, though they are rarer in the sub-$600 category.

I've heard good things about some of the ASUS Vivobook models in the budget range too, often featuring better screens.

FLASH DEAL ALERT!

Just saw the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) on sale at Walmart for $599! That's a killer deal for those specs. Link: [http://example.com/deals/lenovo-ideapad-3](http://example.com/deals/lenovo-ideapad-3)

Might be worth checking out!