Highest build quality laptop for $500 or less?

[Georges]

I'm looking to get a portable device (laptop or Windows 8 tablet) soon. As silly as it might sound, build quality is more important in this case than performance. I'd like it to be made of metal. No bigger than 14," although between 11" and 13" is preferred. 

I've been looking at the Surface 3, because it has a very nice build. It's beautiful, around the right size, and it's very well built. I could get one for around $480-$500, depending on tax.

My budget is $500.

Oh, and before anyway questions why I want build quality > performance or recommends a desktop, I have a ~$700 PC that has all the power I need for intensive stuff. This is just for classes and going to places like my friend's house where I don't need a powerhouse.

[Ad Bot]

[ThatRandomGuy]

I thought you were talking about a Built computer quality laptop for under $500.
I'd go with the Surface

[Midevil Warrior]

microsoft surface

[Georges]

Hmmm... So far that's still the plan. Sucks how expensive the Type Cover is though. I'll probably get a Touch Cover or Touch Cover 2 because it works with it, even if the size isn't perfect.

[Tayasaurus]

inb4buildadesktopbecausesomeo nedidn'treadtheOP

[Blockzillahead]

The lower end Windows 8 tablets have the "mobile" version of Windows 8 which is called RC I think which is not actually Windows 8 but a weird mutation of Android with a Windows skin. It's gay. But there are some that do have the full Windows 8 model.

[Georges]

The lower end Windows 8 tablets have the "mobile" version of Windows 8 which is called RC I think which is not actually Windows 8 but a weird mutation of Android with a Windows skin. It's gay. But there are some that do have the full Windows 8 model.

I don't think anyone is still making those. At least I'd hope not. Anyway, that's one reason I'm willing to go with the newer "budget" Surface: They ditched Windows RT.

[Georges]

Why does the Type Cover have to be so expensive? :(

Anyone know of any alternatives?

[Willco2]

Anyone know of any alternatives?

The Asus X205TA might appeal to you. Ive looked at this laptop before, it doesnt have a metal casing, but Ive heard good reports of build quality.
Costs $199, so you can get a huge SD card due to only 32gb of internal storage.
http://store.asus.com/us/category/A21516

[Ipquarx]

Honestly you sound like the kinda guy that would like a chromebook. http://www.google.com/chromebook/find/

[Midevil Warrior]

Honestly you sound like the kinda guy that would like a chromebook. http://www.google.com/chromebook/find/

The chromebook is so limited though

[Willco2]

The chromebook is so limited though

>linux

[Aoki¹]

i bought an asus laptop last year for like 400$, and it's still going really well

[Georges]

Honestly you sound like the kinda guy that would like a chromebook. http://www.google.com/chromebook/find/

Actually I was originally going to be get one of those but I'd like to have the option to use blender, Blockland, REAPER,  and Sketch up. Also other than the Chromebook Pixel, are there even any really really well built Chromebooks?

>linux

No. I'm not doing anything Linux.

[Willco2]

No. I'm not doing anything Linux.

techincally if you get a chromebook it would be the only way you could run Blockland or any other .exe program.