|
you can actually go for a bit more than recommended now. A Corei3(quad core) with 4gb of ddr3 ram should be about 700-900 depending on the rest of the features.
As far as brands go, I have an HP and love it. My parents have toshiba, my friends have asus and acer and everyone seems to like what they own. Keep in mind that now, you're only paying for name and support. The specs will be the same from one name to the next.
If you plan on buying in-store, check your local Staples and ask about their clearance deals. That's where I get my stuff as it's usually super cheap.
|