I need a budget laptop

[CSquared]

I’m looking into buying a budget laptop as far under $1000 as possible. I’m a student, so it will probably be used to run the Microsoft office package as well as internet (wireless). I’m not looking to play games or download any type of media. To give you an idea, I’m only using 7 GB of space between everything I have on my home pc, which has a 30 GB hard drive. Generally speaking, I keep all media files on an external source, with a few hundred of my favorite songs on the pc. So, memory isn’t a big deal for me. I guess a 20 GB hard drive would be a good safe size.

Battery life is a pretty big concern for me, although I could probably find places to plug in at school, I don’t want to have to worry about running out of juice. I don’t know what I can get for that type of money, but I beat the shit out of everything I own. So, something durable would also be nice. Thank god for warranties and service plans.

I guess I’m looking for an “all-around” performer in that price range. I’d appreciate some suggestions.

[buddha02]

i have a toshiba , i cant remember what model number, but it's a pentium M , 1.6 gigahertz, 40gb hard drive 512 ram, cd-r drive, i have had it for a year, battery lasts about 4hrs. works great, looking to get around $700..i'll post pix as soon as i can, , you can contact me by email @ [email protected]

[buddha02]

ok, it's an a-55 model, here is a simlar picture of what it looks like.

[mach1girl]

Try Hp.com dv4000 series PC. you can customize your notebook to what you need for around 1000. And the notebook is light so when you drag it across campus you won't need a new back. Right now free shipping with HP. I worked for both HP and Dell and both companies have good stuff. Pretty much the same stuff inside all notebook. Truthfully it is all about the service warranty and how they service. unfortunatelly all services for home computers are out of india...that is they with microsoft and a lot corporate companies now. Make sure you have a subscription to an anti-virus somehow. Celeraon preocessor is good. Add the Intel Wireless Lan. i recommend the 12 cell battery, Lightscribe 8x DVD/+/-RW&CD, 60GB hard drive, 1gb memory if u can swing it.I always always recommend 2-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Express Repair extended service plan. Accidental means if spill anything drop it, etc they repair it.


then i would jump over to the Dell website and customize to look about the same and see which better. That is just my . Hope it helps
M1G

[Wurm]

E1505 Dual Core
Date & Time: March 27,2006 3:27 PM CST

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
E1505 Dual Core Qty 1
Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2300 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 Unit Price $1,436.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2300 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
Memory 512MB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 DIMM
Video Card Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Hard Drive 40GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Office Student and Teacher plus Money and Encarta Deluxe versions
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Mail-in Rebate SAVE $250 with mail-in rebate! System price shown before rebate
Mobile Accessories 256MB Dell™ USB Memory Key
Mobile Broadband No Broadband Expresscard technology is available in the market now
Operating System Re-Installation CD Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience

TOTAL:$1,436.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Additional Discounts and Coupons

Dell Home Customers: FREE GROUND SHIPPING!
Limited Time Offer! View Details


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Total Price
Sub-total $1,436.00


it has a 250 mail in rebate but if you do a search you can find you a nice 450$ off coupon for dell.

Its a dual core processor, with good battery life, sufficient amount of memory, and microsoft office student teacher edition(word,excel,outlook,powerpoint,money, and encarta)

[CSquared]

Yeah 1400 is a lot more than I'm willing to spend. The hp dv4000 looks like a pretty good deal if i go with a barebones model.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

any others?

[v3rd1g0]

buy an acer aspire laptop, that'll be usualyl about 600 or so,then upgrade the battery. then your set. that's what i did, i got lucky and got it on sale for 300 and then battery for like 50 or something like that. i'm set now :-D

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...60174&CatId=17

you can upgrade the ram cheap and battery... taht's a good bit under 1000

[Jason04srt4]

Try www.refurbdepot.com

http://www.refurbdepot.com/category.cfm?PageID=205

[quickdodge®]

Get in touch with Atif on IA here. He is a sponser of IA. He owns/runs his shop. Later, QD.

[v3rd1g0]

Get in touch with Atif on IA here. He is a sponser of IA. He owns/runs his shop. Later, QD.

true i almost forgot about htat