What's a good, cheap laptop?

[XemaSab]

My laptop sucks, and I want a different one.

[fNord]

1. .........................

[pokerfan]

2. Keep an eye on this blog

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-10304711-58.html

[hobbit709]

3. How cheap and what do you want in it?

Figure out what features you want and go from there.
There's usually some good deals here
http://www.tigerdirect.com/
or here
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=32&name=Laptops-Notebooks

[meow2u3]

4. One of these

Or maybe one of these


:rofl:

[Trailrider1951]

5. I've purchased a used one from these people

http://www.usanotebooks.com/

and had a good experience. If you don't mind getting a used one, I find their prices to be pretty cheap.

[NYC_SKP]

13. I like them, I don't know if warranties are available. The ThinkPads are great.

I have 3 used Think Pads and their industrial duty, like my Toshiba Tecras.

Both are very expensive new and Tecras aren't even sold in box stores.

Here's a good think pad deal with wireless for $345:

http://www.usanotebooks.com/moreinfo.php?id=2416

:donut:

[blogslut]

15. Damn!

The prices on those Thinkpads are sweet! Thanks for the link. I only buy IBM/Lenovo. :hi:

[Betty88]

6. check this site for coupons on several different brands

usually HP and Dell go to gotapex.com check it every few days for new deals

[NJmaverick]

7. How much are you looking to spend?

and what do you want to do with it?

[XemaSab]

8. I'm hoping to spend under $500

and I want to maintain my county lists and surf the net. :P

[NJmaverick]

10. OK here's the deal

for under $500 I can set you up with a nice HP (My favorite brand these days)

http://www.nextag.com/norob/PtitleSeller.jsp?nxtg=2fb30a24052d-3580FC24F2B87B91&chnl=main&tag=735545386&ctx=PciylZuUAGCFw%2F65VR8qlHr4tDcTBLn2tVr94ypKCxagDCV6HmpOEDjbA1NXtHQd2CMbwRWnxyfuwOZs48ZpupKa4sT7Zj0KkL%2FYsNAGKSCeTnhX91YQjK%2F21VJUbR2zmt39miIgdCIlhqQdcLq1Mvpo2%2Fd%2Fe6LJ6nznuw2OMvP2aVeuNZZJezIo2NfsGViVLiOnwAqN9333%2BoIgwcr5rA%3D%3D&ptitle=661749984


Now I would suggest you go with the 64 bit system and bump the ram to 4 gigs (this brings it to $499)

A step down would be to leave it with the 32 bit system and bump the ram to 3 gigs


Finally I think you might want to add blue tooth for $25. This allows you do down load pictures from cell phones and the like.

[Mystayya]

9. I just bought my son a used one off craigs list

It's very nice, 2 years old, runs perfect. paid 125 bucks for it. I'm sure you could get a REALLy nice used one for under 500 already loaded with software.

[HopeHoops]

11. Go directly to HP.com and configure one.

You can get free shipping and configure it EXACTLY the way you want. Start with a 15.4" model and have fun. It will show up FedEx in a little over a week.

[NYC_SKP]

12. I hope you'll consider a mac...

I'm the local go-to guy for friends and family members and a bit of an obsessive collector or laptops old and new.

Over the last 10 years, a brand new VIAO died just after warranty and a wide screen Toshiba lost some capability within a year.

A good 3-4 year warranty can really be a lifesaver and money saver.

I think you can find a two-year old mac with a year left on warranty if it has AppleCare.

AppleCare has taken care of problems for me without question, often fixing things I didn't know needed fixing or would not have been covered by other warranties.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Mac-Book-with-Applecare-and-Office_W0QQitemZ220467398498QQcmdZViewItemQQptZApple_Laptops?hash=item3354e18762&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_500wt_1182

I have a few macs off warranty that I don't use but could sell if you want to PM me.

NYC_SKP

[Schema Thing]

14. When you say "sucks" uhmm, what exactly do....

...... ....



...'cause anyway, I might have a trade for you.

[TrogL]

16. I've been happy with Acer

[CreekDog]

17. There are netbooks for $300-$400

they weigh under 3 lbs. and some of them have 6+ hour battery life.

if you go that way, check the reviews and make sure you get the ones with the decent battery life.

also, in netbooks, avoid Windows Vista, get XP instead (saves battery and provides equal or better performance).

i like the new Toshiba, or the Asus. Make sure the keyboard is comfortable and the touchpad is large enough.

[XemaSab]

18. The existing laptop is a Toshiba

It's good, but the power supply keeps flaking out.