Cheap Laptops?

Danase · 10-12-06, 07:50

Ok, I am thinking of POSSIBLY getting a laptop. I don't need anything fancy. Basically something I can surf the web with and use Microsoft Word and Excel on. Just something cheap that I can take with me on trips so I can still work.

MorBid · 10-12-06, 09:09

Laptop's have really come down in price over the years but what is cheap?

Check out New Egg to get and idea of what's out there in the different price ranges which usually are sub $1k, $1k - $1.5~8k, and the real desktop replacements that run over $2.5K.

Now is a good time to buy since both Intel and AMD have new mobile processors and chipsets on the market so retailers and suppliers need to get rid of the older (like last year) stuff.

I just brought my third laptop (think I was in the $1.5k range) with a 17" wide view screen and love it.

MorBiD

Joshua312 · 10-12-06, 09:15

I also would like to know the price range we are looking at...some view technology at $1,500 cheap and some view it at $800.

I have a Sony Vaio right now, purchased last year for around $1,600 and love it..however if I had the opportunity to upgrade to a Mac I would do it in a second.

I would suggest you look at Sony, has been great for me thus far. I mainly use it for Word, Internet, etc...works great with wi-fi hot spots. Anywhere I go it will automatically detect the wireless signal and connect me. Perfect for when you are on the go...

GregCavi · 10-12-06, 10:40

I have a Dell E1505, I got the best model of the E1505 on the dell site and I spent about 1300 shipped. If you go with a dell get the full warrenty as it is top notch.

Greg

GeorgePaul · 10-12-06, 10:58

I have a Toshiba Satellite that I purchased new for $500. Works great for net surfing, etc.

Padron · 10-12-06, 11:29

Acer, make some pretty cheap ones, but I would get a Dell ( I have one, it's great), Search for online coupons to get an even better deal....

this place has some coupons, they usually change weekly....

http://www.xpbargains.com/dell_coupons/

Look for one with a built in Wireless card (Pre-N or G), get a Wireless Router ( Not Netgear ) and your all set...

jaobrien6 · 10-12-06, 02:58

I would not recommend a Dell laptop, personally, unless you pony up for a long warranty. I know quite a few people that have had them (we got a smoking deal on them through work at one point about 2 years ago). The rate of problems and failures has been staggering, IMO. Everyone I know with a dell desktop (including myself) has had no problems, but their laptops are a whole different story.

If you can find a good deal on a low end toshiba, they build fairly solid machines. The IBM Thinkpads that we have for our work laptops are pretty bulletproof, but they don't come cheap.

02ZTSfocus · 10-12-06, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaobrien6

Everyone I know with a dell desktop (including myself) has had no problems, but their laptops are a whole different story.

Ive always experienced the exact opposite of that, my B130 has been nothing but rock solid since day 1. My last laptop was a CPi A that was built in 1999 and I never had any trouble with it either. Ive ALWAYS had problems with dell desktops though

As for the question at hand, I paid $560 for my Inspirion 1300 that has been an excellent laptop. I also bought a 9-cell battery ($60) and I get 5+ hours of battery life easy. It may not be great for gaming or anything very intensive, but the only thing I use mine for is Autopia and college. I save my gaming for my water-cooled P4 at home

PhaRO · 10-12-06, 03:34

I've had my Acer 3100 for about 18months. 15.4" wide monitor, 512 memory, 1.4ghz celeron, 40gb hd, built in wifi, dvd cd rw blah blah blah. By no means spectacular specs. It has however performed flawlessly being used daily and taken in the car one to two days a week. My cost then was $499 (after a $200 rebate). At the time that was an incredible deal. Now you can get one better for that price or one about the same for less. I believe last week bestbuy has one for $399 after instant rebate. Any entry level computer should satisfy the needs you mentioned. For me it was a 4th (now 5th) computer in the house. I just wanted something I could do my work on without sitting in my office and so I could do work when I was out of town. The lowest prices don't seem to be out every week so watching the sales for a few weeks should get you one under $500. I think Walmart has one everyday for $548 too.

JohnZ3MC · 10-12-06, 07:36

Bob,
Drop a Dell and it breaks, drop a Toshiba and it breaks. Toshibas get returned quickly, The World is Flat by Friedman, outlines how Toshiba has streamlined it's return procedures.

The two qualities I looked for were: wireless capabilities, dvd playing. All other stuff like super multimedia and burning dvds weren't critical for a laptop for me. The heavy duty stuff would be done by my desktop. Internet is a basic feature so wasn't included in my two extra qualities.

I ended up with a 17 inch wide screen Toshiba just because I saw one in action and that big bright screen spoiled me for 15 inch units. It had my two requirements plus a dvd burner which was a bonus. The 17 inch is a tad heavy as a fast traveller but I have a whole bus to move my stuff so I'm not worried about travelling weight.

A 15 inch Toshiba here in Canada can be had for about 800 - 900 bucks. My 17 inch was a discontinued model at 1050. (at a local Staples store)

Manufacturers introduce new models every few months it seems, so don't be afraid to consider a newly or soon to be discontinued model.
-John C.

DETAILKING · 10-12-06, 09:24

Check out dealnews.com There is always a dell on there in the 500-600 range.....

martinager · 10-13-06, 06:20

First look at your budget.

I suggest dell for their unmatched warranty and good coupons. See Dell coupon site:

http://www.notebookreview.com/dellCoupon.asp

For cpu, Definately go with a Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, and if you must... a Core Solo. I know thats alot of cores, but heres what they are:

Core solo has one processing core and is an older version, but still adequate.

The Core Duo and Core 2 duo have two processing cores, spreading the computers work load over the two. Kinda like have two people with PC's doing the car at the same time

The Core Duo is older and doesnt have some of the improved architecture as the Core 2 Duo. The core 2 duo is my top cpu i recommend to all our customers. If you dont see one in your price range, go for the Core Duo.

My advice: Go with the Dell Inspiron E1405. Has the Core 2 Duo, and a great price tag to boot.