Looking For A Bargain Laptop

Chief Rum · 11-09-2006, 12:45 AM

Hey all,

I am in the market for a decent laptop with price being important. I am hoping to keep it under $500, although I don't know if that's possible with what I want.

Really, I am just looking for a laptop that I can use Office programs on, and can get me Internet access. It's a bonus if it can decently play movies.

I prefer PC's to Mac's in my desktops. Don't know if that matters here.

Looking for suggestions on good places (on Web or real stores) to check out for laptops that can do this.

Thanks!

cartman · 11-09-2006, 12:49 AM

If you have a card, you might check Costco. I picked up a Compaq laptop a couple of months ago for $600, and I saw that they are now $500. It has a 15 inch widescreen, 2Ghz AMD processor, 80GB HD, Dual Layer DVD burner, and 512MB of RAM.

Cringer · 11-09-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

If you have a card, you might check Costco. I picked up a Compaq laptop a couple of months ago for $600, and I saw that they are now $500. It has a 15 inch widescreen, 2Ghz AMD processor, 80GB HD, Dual Layer DVD burner, and 512MB of RAM.

Wal Mart had tose babies priced at $398 this last weekend. In store only, and limited amounts. I congradulate the lucky bastards who were lucky enough to grab one. Haven't been able to find any myself.

DaddyTorgo · 11-09-2006, 12:56 AM

wait for Black Friday and stand in line at a CompUSA or Fry's or BestBuy ?

k0ruptr · 11-09-2006, 01:04 AM

if you wanna deal with the craziness that is black friday, I think thats the way to go. also check out hxxp://fatwallet.com and their forums as well.

Chief Rum · 11-09-2006, 10:57 PM

Okay, I went looking around to get a handle on some prices, and I found a good deal of variety.

One thing that surprised me is that some laptops actually had 56K modems listed as features. I would have thought by now that all major personal computers--notebooks or desktops--would be Internet-capable. That is a key to my purchase, so please correct me if this is not the case.

I saw the usual AMD/Intel wars in the processors. Which is better, the Celeron or the Turion? And is there a good way for me to compare the two (they don't all have base speeds listed). How important is RAM in laptops? Can I get by with 512 MB or should I aim higher?

Also, any big things to watch out for or makers with particularly poor performance ratings?

I have raised my range of purchase to about $700-800, as I think that gives me much more room to get a decent bargain laptop.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

BTW, I figure to need this before Black Friday, so that's not really an option (and besides I have a hard enough time getting myself up for work every morning, much less really early the day after Thanksgiving.

).

stevew · 11-09-2006, 11:10 PM

Dell seems like they have some good prices. A lot of it depends on how portable you want it to be, how big of a monitor, etc. Between now and the end of the year, the longer you can wait, the better your deal is going to get.

Dr. Sak · 11-09-2006, 11:11 PM

Go to dell.com and look at Dell Outlet on that site. They usually restock each morning around 6am EST but you can find some really good deals there.

cartman · 11-09-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

One thing that surprised me is that some laptops actually had 56K modems listed as features. I would have thought by now that all major personal computers--notebooks or desktops--would be Internet-capable. That is a key to my purchase, so please correct me if this is not the case.

They should be, but make sure they mention 802.11b or WiFi to be certain. If it is an Intel CPU, look for the Centrino label.

Quote:

I saw the usual AMD/Intel wars in the processors. Which is better, the Celeron or the Turion? And is there a good way for me to compare the two (they don't all have base speeds listed). How important is RAM in laptops? Can I get by with 512 MB or should I aim higher?

They are pretty similar in the sub-$1000 price range. In the higher end laptop, the new dual core CPUs give Intel a pretty significant edge. As for RAM, it's just like desktops in that more is better. Luckily, the manufacturers have settled on a standard, so it is pretty easy to upgrade. I picked up 2GB for mine for $150.

Quote:

Also, any big things to watch out for or makers with particularly poor performance ratings?

I have raised my range of purchase to about $700-800, as I think that gives me much more room to get a decent bargain laptop.

I'd stick to choosing between HP/Compaq, Toshiba, or Dell. You can't go wrong with one of them.

stevew · 11-09-2006, 11:16 PM

Yeah, get one with integrated wireless too. That's huge.

14ers · 11-10-2006, 02:20 AM

I just received this in my email from buy.com

Quote:

Compaq n620c Notebook: Centrino 1.4GHz, 512MB, 30GB, DVD-CDRW, 14.1" VGA, XP Pro
Factory Refurbished
FREE BUDGET SHIPPING
$50.00 Mail-in Rebate
$399.99 After Rebate
Buy.com price: $449.99
http://enews.buy.com/cgi-bin5/DM/y/e...yW0F3M0B2FJ0GQ

Raiders Army · 11-10-2006, 09:23 AM

Check out this Black Friday website:

http://bfads.net/

There was also a special this week at Walmart for under $400, but they're probably all out since it started last weekend.

Router Help · 11-10-2006, 09:56 AM

If your budget is now $700-$800, you might want to look at the Dell Inspiron 6400. You can get one with the Core Duo processor for that price.

JPhillips · 11-10-2006, 10:00 AM

I have a Sony Vaio with a busted screen you can have for real cheap!

Chief Rum · 11-12-2006, 04:30 AM

Thanks, everyone. This has helped me a lot.

I have a question about the Internet connection, and hope someone here can help me out with this, too.

It seems that the laptops generally have wireless capability, a LAN connection/network card and/or a 56K modem.

I have broadband at home, and a router to get Internet access for my roommate, so we can do the wireless thing at home (or hook into the LAN). But I am not getting this computer for home use. I have a perfectly good computer already here.

I need to be sure I can get Internet access away from home. And I already know the IT Nazis at my work (one of the primary areas I would likely use this) won't let me wire into their network.

Now, is there such a thing as a broadband connection directly with the laptop that doesn't involve hooking into an existing LAN or Wifi environment? Or is my only realistic option to ensure I can get Web connectivity generally wherever I want to get it the 56K modem? Or do some laptops have both a 56K and wireless/Lan coonection components?

Basically, I need to know I can reach the Web from my work or while I am out on the road, and I can't be certain I will be in a WiFi environment or have the use of a LAN network. And if a 56K is the only way of assuring this, then I will focus on notebooks that have this. If there is a way of setting up broadband access on my laptop wherever I am (reasonably, I'm not talking about having this in the middle of Algeria or something like that), I would be interested in that, too, but I don't know if that is possible.

So any help clearing this up for me would help a lot. Thanks!

14ers · 11-12-2006, 04:47 AM

I have a sprint wireless card for my PC and I have yet to find someplace I can not at least get a 100K connection. If my cell phone can get a signal, I can get a connection.

Chief Rum · 11-12-2006, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14ers

I have a sprint wireless card for my PC and I have yet to find someplace I can not at least get a 100K connection. If my cell phone can get a signal, I can get a connection.

If wireless only relies on cell service type technology (meaning I can probably run it wherever my cell phone works), that is defintiely a go for me. I would rather not have to get a laptop with a 56K modem, since I would see that as limiting myself a bit.

Chief Rum · 11-12-2006, 11:57 PM

Bump for more help on the Internet thing, particularly from others like 14ers who use their laptops when they're out and about.

I spoke to a friend who works with computers who suggested it could be more difficult to find a connection than 14ers suggested, and I need to know for sure before I spend big cash on a laptop.

johnnyshaka · 11-13-2006, 12:39 AM

Using your cellphone as an ISP is very pricey. My suggestion would be to make sure your laptop can support all three (or buy the appropriate USB/PCMIA devices).

11-09-2006, 12:49 AM	#2
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	If you have a card, you might check Costco. I picked up a Compaq laptop a couple of months ago for $600, and I saw that they are now $500. It has a 15 inch widescreen, 2Ghz AMD processor, 80GB HD, Dual Layer DVD burner, and 512MB of RAM. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

11-09-2006, 01:04 AM	#5
k0ruptr Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Las Vegas	if you wanna deal with the craziness that is black friday, I think thats the way to go. also check out hxxp://fatwallet.com and their forums as well. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: k0ruptr My Favorite Teams : Chicago White Sox - Carolina Panthers - Orlando Magic - Phoenix Suns - Anaheim Ducks - Hawaii Warriors - Oregon Ducks

11-09-2006, 10:57 PM	#6
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Okay, I went looking around to get a handle on some prices, and I found a good deal of variety. One thing that surprised me is that some laptops actually had 56K modems listed as features. I would have thought by now that all major personal computers--notebooks or desktops--would be Internet-capable. That is a key to my purchase, so please correct me if this is not the case. I saw the usual AMD/Intel wars in the processors. Which is better, the Celeron or the Turion? And is there a good way for me to compare the two (they don't all have base speeds listed). How important is RAM in laptops? Can I get by with 512 MB or should I aim higher? Also, any big things to watch out for or makers with particularly poor performance ratings? I have raised my range of purchase to about $700-800, as I think that gives me much more room to get a decent bargain laptop. Thanks, everyone, for your help. BTW, I figure to need this before Black Friday, so that's not really an option (and besides I have a hard enough time getting myself up for work every morning, much less really early the day after Thanksgiving. ). __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

11-10-2006, 10:00 AM	#14
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	I have a Sony Vaio with a busted screen you can have for real cheap! __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

11-12-2006, 04:30 AM	#15
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Thanks, everyone. This has helped me a lot. I have a question about the Internet connection, and hope someone here can help me out with this, too. It seems that the laptops generally have wireless capability, a LAN connection/network card and/or a 56K modem. I have broadband at home, and a router to get Internet access for my roommate, so we can do the wireless thing at home (or hook into the LAN). But I am not getting this computer for home use. I have a perfectly good computer already here. I need to be sure I can get Internet access away from home. And I already know the IT Nazis at my work (one of the primary areas I would likely use this) won't let me wire into their network. Now, is there such a thing as a broadband connection directly with the laptop that doesn't involve hooking into an existing LAN or Wifi environment? Or is my only realistic option to ensure I can get Web connectivity generally wherever I want to get it the 56K modem? Or do some laptops have both a 56K and wireless/Lan coonection components? Basically, I need to know I can reach the Web from my work or while I am out on the road, and I can't be certain I will be in a WiFi environment or have the use of a LAN network. And if a 56K is the only way of assuring this, then I will focus on notebooks that have this. If there is a way of setting up broadband access on my laptop wherever I am (reasonably, I'm not talking about having this in the middle of Algeria or something like that), I would be interested in that, too, but I don't know if that is possible. So any help clearing this up for me would help a lot. Thanks! __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

11-09-2006, 12:56 AM	#4
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	wait for Black Friday and stand in line at a CompUSA or Fry's or BestBuy ?

11-09-2006, 11:10 PM	#7
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Dell seems like they have some good prices. A lot of it depends on how portable you want it to be, how big of a monitor, etc. Between now and the end of the year, the longer you can wait, the better your deal is going to get.

11-09-2006, 11:11 PM	#8
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	Go to dell.com and look at Dell Outlet on that site. They usually restock each morning around 6am EST but you can find some really good deals there.

11-09-2006, 11:16 PM	#10
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Yeah, get one with integrated wireless too. That's huge.

11-10-2006, 09:23 AM	#12
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Check out this Black Friday website: http://bfads.net/ There was also a special this week at Walmart for under $400, but they're probably all out since it started last weekend.

11-10-2006, 09:56 AM	#13
Router Help Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ferndale, MI now in Chicago, IL	If your budget is now $700-$800, you might want to look at the Dell Inspiron 6400. You can get one with the Core Duo processor for that price.

11-12-2006, 04:47 AM	#16
14ers High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2006	I have a sprint wireless card for my PC and I have yet to find someplace I can not at least get a 100K connection. If my cell phone can get a signal, I can get a connection. __________________ I like the company I keep when I am alone. 'The Blonde Bomber'

11-12-2006, 11:57 PM	#18
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Bump for more help on the Internet thing, particularly from others like 14ers who use their laptops when they're out and about. I spoke to a friend who works with computers who suggested it could be more difficult to find a connection than 14ers suggested, and I need to know for sure before I spend big cash on a laptop. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

11-13-2006, 12:39 AM	#19
johnnyshaka College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB	Using your cellphone as an ISP is very pricey. My suggestion would be to make sure your laptop can support all three (or buy the appropriate USB/PCMIA devices).

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