Programming, I have a MAcbook Pro, but I hear running Windows via Virtual Machine isn't all that great when you get into extensive work. I know I could run Bootcamp, but kinda just want to have a separate Windows machine to avoid all hassles. I saw this at Best buy and seemed like a good price as it was loaded with Ram and the AMD A10 is supposed to be the equivalent to an i5 processor (albeit less powerful).
New! Asus - 15.6" Laptop - AMD A10-Series - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive - Gray
Also saw this for 329
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-15...lack/6374138.p?id=1219661390049&skuId=6374138
this 6gb ram, and an intel i3 processor
I was in the same boat as you. I built a cheap windows machine with an AMD apu. Go with the AMD if you can save some bucks. It's always good to have money than one pc, if you can afford it.