Note: this computer fits my needs as previously described: internet, email, Facebook, surfing, no movie watching or heavy downloading and no high resolution image editing.It's been some time since I've had the "need" to purchase a new computer. For me, terminology and choices can be mindboggling! I found this HP on WalMart.com this morning and thought some of you would be able to help me with what I might be missing or if this is an exceptional buy.HP Winter BlueHere's what I see: 4 gigs ram, 320 HD, DVD Burner, WiFI 802.11b/g/n (this is a concern...is this the newest WiFi card...does it cover all signals?), 2 in 1 card reader, 1 VGA port, 1 HDMI port and 3 2.0 USB ports (a biggie to me)Am I missing something...or is this a good buy? THANKS!!!!

What are you going to use it for? Editing video/graphics? E-mail and surfing? Games? This will influence your choice.Kind of like deciding what kind of truck to buy? You wouldn't buy a Ford Ranger to tow a 15,000 lb. 5th wheel. :) Or need to buy a 1-ton dually to pull a popup.

By today's standards this is a "starter" system. It has a moderate speed dual core processor capable of 64-bit operation but from the description of the system I suspect that only 32-bit Windows has been installed on it. It has 4GB of RAM which is all that can be used with 32-bit Windows but if you decided to upgrade to 64-bit it can only handle 8 GB max. The drive is very small by current standards; most systems sold have drives >750 GB. It doesn't have a high speed USB 3.0 port, but it does have 802.11n wifi which is the current standard.If all you do is surf the web and send emails, this system will be fine, but the deal is no better than lots of them out there. For another hundred or two you can buy laptops that have 64-bit Windows and much faster performance.

Go to Walmart and get a demo of that computer."Windows 8" will drive you crazy.

Definitely agree with "Try It Before You Buy It" when it comes to Windows 8!!

fj12ryder wrote:Definitely agree with "Try It Before You Buy It" when it comes to Windows 8!!Windows 8 is not such a big deal; I hate it but I have mine running just as if it was Windows 7 using a free program called Classic Shell that has been discussed in quite a few threads on this forum. All newer computers are going to be running Windows 8 so learn to deal with it.

Looking...an HP Computer question | Good Sam Community

mikeleblanc413
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
KO wrote:
Buy a Mac.

I was screwed by MAC many years ago....I WILL NEVER own a MAC product...NEVER!!!!
1492
Moderator
Sep 24, 2013
Quite frankly, the AMD E-300 processor is more netbook class, similar to Intel Atoms. But quite slow for even a $300. 15.4" notebook. For instance, my Acer netbook w/Celeron dual-core is more than twice fast. Even upgraded to 8G memory for less than this HP. Close to Intel i3 performance.

I'd recommend spending a little more for at least an Intel i3 class notebook.
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Actually if one isn't in a big hurry and can buy on-line TigerDirect has a few really good refurb deals.

Just got the wife a really nice HP Envy DV7 with a 17 inch screen for $450.00.
She had it in three days.
There's quite a few under $300.00.

Just a thot...

(I'd stick to Intel processors they're way quicker)
bwanshoom
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
KO wrote:
Buy a Mac.
That's helpful - OP is asking about the viability of a $300 computer and your advice is to buy a Mac, a product line whose cheapest model is twice that price.
KO
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
Buy a Mac.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Sep 24, 2013
Well, I didn't say it would do it quickly. ;)
deleted-2
Explorer
Sep 24, 2013
fj12ryder wrote:
The computer you linked to will do all that you have listed.

I agree you'll be fine with the one you have linked to.

(the AMD E series processors are poop tho)
:)
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Sep 24, 2013
The computer you linked to will do all that you have listed.
robsouth
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2013
There are many better, faster, etc, computers available, but for your described use you will be very happy with this HP computer in my humble opinion.
wintersun
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2013
The newer USB 3.0 ports are literally 10 times as fast as the old USB 2.x ports. Well worth the extra dollars if you use an external hard drive or upload image files.

HP configures a special computer for Wal-Mart and it will have items missing or of lower capabilities as with the now ancient USB 2.x ports. Even the last two laptops I bought over a year ago came equipped with USB 3 ports (and 1GB Ethernet which is also important).

With RAM I want to know how much the computer can take. Older PC's maxed out at 4GB and new ones take 8GB up to 32GB and RAM is cheap if the computer has the slots and is wired for the additional memory.

Big difference in processor speeds as well with the i3 at the bottom and i7 at the top. I would want a i5 processor at a minimum. Cheap to get in a computer as HP does not pay retail for this or the other components it puts inside.