I'm looking for a decent laptop for around $500. I've found three that seem good but I want some opinions. I would be using it for light gaming (i.e. The sims, minecraft, broforce, GMOD, etc.), web surfing, media streaming and iTunes. Links below…
Lenovo IdeaPad G505s:
http://www.amazon.com/...00HIYA4F2/
Toshiba PSKNJU-004001:
http://www.amazon.com/...opninja-20
TOSHIBA Satellite S55-A5274:
http://www.amazon.com/...00FM6OYW2/
They are all good for their purposes. However, if you are doing as you said, Minecraft, The Sims, iTunes, etc. I'd go with the Lenovo IdeaPad. It has a fast CPU for what you need, along with a good amount of RAM. Graphics Card looks good, you will have more than sufficient storage. Although, think about whether you'd rather have Windows 7 or 8. I myself, prefer Windows 7 and Linux Ubuntu. Windows 8 is also good though from what I've read and seen. The other laptops are good, but I recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad the most for what you need.
First one
Although it doesn't have as strong as a processor as the i5 in the 3rd Laptop, it has better graphics and would be better at playing those games.
The toshiba sattelite is a good laptop. I don't reccomand lenovo laptops. They break and they are just not good. My dad uses the toshiba sattellite and had it for 3 years now. It still feels new and didn't have any problems.