Any recommendations for a new bargain-priced laptop?

[pacalo]

My 12-yr.-old pc just went kerplunk & I need a new one right away. A laptop is my choice because I like being able to use it almost anywhere in my home.

I want one $500 or less. Any good suggestions would be very appreciated.

[woodsprite]

1. I love my Compac Presario.

I paid just under $400 for it 2 years ago. I see they have it at Best Buy at $349. Not a lot of bells and whistles. It's running Windows 7 and AVG Antivirus. I use it pretty much daily to surf the web (Facebook, DU, kids homework), play games (Sims 3), run Photoshop, Dreamweaver, do genealogy research, connect remotely to work (through VCN) and watch DVDs/Hulu on it. The wireless works fine, but most of the time I am hardwired to ethernet.

It was my splurge so I wouldn't have to use a communal laptop at work and so I'd have something to use when my kids were both doing homework on our desktop systems.

Hubby just got a Dell Latitude that was barely under $600 but it doesn't seem to be much faster/better than mine.

Good luck shopping! Hope you find a replacement soon.

[pacalo]

2. That's very helpful, woodsprite!

I'm going this evening to get one. It's good to know there are some good ones in my price range. I like to dabble in photoshop, too, so I'm glad you mentioned that yours handles that function fine. I hate it so badly that I lost a lot of good photoshop pictures that I hadn't put into my photobucket yet, but it is what it is.

I already have ethernet, which is what I'll be using, too.

Thanks so much, woodsprite!

[Mnpaul]

3. I just fixed a similar model

I was almost indentical to more expensive HPs I recently fixed minus the things I didn't like. The HP had touch sensitive controls above the keyboard for wireless and volume. They were buggy. The Compaq has real buttons and worked perfectly. Do you have a Microcenter near you? I prefer them over Best Buy(better customer service, better price). A friend just saved $200 on a Macbook at Microcenter over Best Buy. Best Buy refused to pricematch. I just looked and they have 21 in the sub $500 range. They usually have a wide selection hooked up to try. Personally, I think Toshiba has the nicest looking display. I just looked at Microcenter and this Toshiba(17" screen) can be had for $469 refurbished. http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359312

[pacalo]

6. Aw, I was just too anxious to get one & didn't see your post before I bought my new

HP.

If you fix computers, you may be able to help me with a question about which factory-installed programs that I could safely remove in order to get the best performance, speedwise.

For example, could any of these could be removed:

games
Windows fax & scan
Windows live mail
Windows live messenger
Windows Media Center
Windows Media Player
Windows Update
XPS Viewer
Shopping & Services
Windows Live

[HCE SuiGeneris]

4. My Toshiba Satellite 64 bit Win 7 has been faultless and fast.

Paid less than $400.00 for it (including tax) about 18 months ago.

[pacalo]

5. Thanks for your suggestion. I bought an HP 64-bit Win 7 & it's working great.

I got it for $349 at Office Depot, our first stop before heading over to Best Buy. My husband has a Toshiba & it's nice.

[jrandom421]

7. Try the Dell Outlet

Systems are refurbished to as-new specifications, come with full factory warranties, and shipping is free! Often there are coupon codes to get 20-25% off

http://www.dell.com/outlet

[pacalo]

8. Thanks, jrandom421! I've already gotten one, but this thread could be very useful to anyone else

who might/ need a new laptop.

[Old and In the Way]

9. I just bought a 17" HP Laptop for my SO for $440.00

HP Pavilion g7-1167dx Refurbished Notebook PC - AMD Phenom II X4 P960 1.8GHz, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, 17.3" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

It was refurbushed, but I couldn't tell coming out of the box. She loves it.

http://biz.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1363262&cm_mmc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-WEDBLET102SHIP-_-02SHIP&SRCCODE=WEDBLET102SHIP

Nothing but good things to say about Tiger Direct and HP laptops.