Let's pretend I'm 4 years old and don't understand computer terms and what they mean. Now pretend I'm 23 and have a budget of $500 and haven't owned a computer in about 2 years and I'm finally sick of using my iphone for everything I do online.

Here's the breakdown. I want a PC, I don't like Macs. I want it to run well enough, it doesn't have to be gaming focused as I don't play PC games, but I would like it to run java/flash as I stream a lot of video and I would like it to look nice.

Honestly I know nothing about ram or processors and what any of that means, so I get really overwhelmed when I look on amazon and I see all these stats and I don't truly know what I'm paying for.

I would really appreciate some recommendations.

Thanks!

If it's mainly for online use then I would recommend a chromebook. It literally will do everything you need and they are dirt cheap. If you aren't using desktop applications for work or playing games then I dont know what more you would need then a chromebook. The link below is a pretty good chromebook to my understanding and its only 200. There is a higher model with a touch screen if that is your thing.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebooks.html#ac-c720

With that said there are plenty of great sub 500 laptops. While not the greatest site, CNET.com is pretty good at reviewing a shit ton of various laptops. I dont always agree with them, but it should help you find something you are looking for. Here is one example.

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/asus-vivobook-x202e-dh31t/4505-3121_7-35530760.html

Lenovos are your best bet for just doing "stuff" and nothing else.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834312827

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834313587

@ssully: Chrimebooks aren't quite what I'm looking for, my girlfriend has one and I really hate it. The OS is pretty awful (I just like windows) I couldn't download iTunes to it. Or Minecraft even and I couldn't watch giantbomb videos in the highest setting. Just wasn't for me, it felt like an iPad with a keyboard.

Maybe I should have been a bit clear, what I ment by not playing games on ot I still would like it to run WoW, but I don't care about graphic I just ment I don't want anything that's going to run console games (like steam stuff) on max highest settings, I still want a PC. Maybe to check out indie games I can't get on console.

Are you ok with a refurbished laptops?

Also, would you prefer a non gaming laptop over a more gaming centric one?

if you are interested in gaming, what kind of games?

I bought my wife an Asus laptop about six months ago and we both use it daily. Check out amazon as they have a good selection of laptops varying in price.

@wolfhazard I bought this baby a few months back refub for $400.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZVTBOK/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Runs pretty good, I can play most indie games, I can stream 720P stuff fine. I had a loose screw for a little but that's the only problem I had with build quality yet. Sure the brand may not be the best but I have little complaints surprisingly so far. The specs are great for the price.

But this laptop is built for not going out in the wild though. With it's 4 hour at most battery and 15.6 inch screen, it will be hard to go out with it.

It does have win. 8 too unfortunately, but it's not the worst.