What is a good laptop for under $500?

[kc7jty]

I don't know shih about computers but need to get me a laptop. 12" screen max would be nice for travel but can't be too fussy.

[kf0rt]

What will you be using it for?

If it's just Internet and "light" computing, there are a few netbooks in the $300 range that aren't too bad. Small, very portable. But not the best if you're doing serious work.

[kc7jty]

What will you be using it for?

If it's just Internet and "light" computing, there are a few netbooks in the $300 range that aren't too bad. Small, very portable. But not the best if you're doing serious work.
are you kidding??...Never anything serious going on here. :cheers:

maybe 12" min 15" max would be OK. Gonna have to be able to play poker on it though.

[KG4CGC]

You do light photo editing?
Most portable computers are OK with that. If you need to get into heavier editing programs then of course, go as full goose bozo as you can afford.

[kc7jty]

No editing.
Wally's has a Toshiba (A205-S7456) with a core 2 duo which was supposedly $900 marked down to $400. Maybe it's a lemon model?
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/7757625/reviews.htm

[ad4mg]

Here's a nice Acer w/Vista Home Premium + the upgrade coupon for Windows 7, 3GB RAM, 15.6" wide screen TFT display, 160 GB SATA HD, loaded for $409.99:

http://images.tigerdirect.com/SKUimages/enhanced/A180-15609-call01-ed.jpg

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4975137&CatId=1900

The wife and I each have Acer 5000's with this same display, both are almost 5 years old, both are still in excellent shape.

Acers are good laptops (their PC's suck), but they aren't the ones you can drop on a concrete floor.

Any laptop ... be careful and aware of the display hinges, the connector where the charger connects, and the power button, all weak points!

I've also had excellent results with TigerDirect.

[W4GPL]

Might want to look at an Eee.. I've heard pretty damn good things about them.

[kc7jty]

Thanks Luke.
Is that Acer the left handed model? The pad is left of center.

[ad4mg]

Thanks Luke.
Is that Acer the left handed model? The pad is left of center.
That is curious ... the 5000 has the pad dead in the center. Here's a picture of mine, taken about a year ago:

[attachment=0:cou1irhx]acer5000.jpg[/attachment:cou1irhx]

I have no idea what's up with the mouse pad being offset from center. TigerDirect had quite a few Acers with 11.6" displays for even less, but I think the wide screen is a big plus!

The TFT display, even after almost 5 years, is still bright and crisp.

My 5000's have the AMD processors, a first for me. After I stuffed them with 2 GB of RAM, these machines are quite fast.

They also listed quite a few that still offer Windows XP, but if I were buying a new machine. I'd suffer Vista as long as I had the upgrade coupon!

[kc7jty]

I'd suffer Vista as long as I had the upgrade coupon!
You're assuming 7 will be better than XP.....

[kf0rt]

What will you be using it for?

If it's just Internet and "light" computing, there are a few netbooks in the $300 range that aren't too bad. Small, very portable. But not the best if you're doing serious work.
are you kidding??...Never anything serious going on here. :cheers:

maybe 12" min 15" max would be OK. Gonna have to be able to play poker on it though.


Late in reply...

I have an Acer Aspire One (runs XP). Tiny thing -- I think the screen is 9 or 10 inches. Paid about $300 for it new with a "bigger battery" that lasts 5 hours or so. Screen resolution is 1024 x 600. It has a built-in touch-pad for a mouse, but you can plug in a USB mouse easy enough. 160GB hard drive and built-in WiFi, but no CD/DVD drive. It's got two SD card slots for camera memory. Intel Atom CPU with one paltry Gig of RAM.

Mostly, I hate laptops, but this machine works pretty well.

Toshiba has always been a good bet. Check out geeks.com -- they always have some good deals.

[n6hcm]

I've also had excellent results with TigerDirect.

so have i. you really do have to read the description and pay attention--deals are to be had. i got one of these (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4348628) through tiger direct last winter and have been very pleased. (i'm not sure i'd get a 17" laptop again, but that's not td's fault ... plus it never leaves the house, so it's not like i'm schlepping it through airports).

[kc7jty]

If I get an Acer with vista will a lay person like me be able to easily purge everything out of it before installing the new Windows 7 when it comes out?

[n6hcm]

should be really easy ... in fact, i think that any new system you buy today should come with a free win7 upgrade ... but make sure you burn copies of the vista installation media (many new systems don't come with installation media--you have to burn your own) before wiping the disk and installing win7. there may be vendor-specific bits installed with vista that you may need for win7 ...

[kc7jty]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... ku=9496191 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9496191&type=product&id=1218114705665&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9496191)
I could have had this today for $330 + 6% Idaho tax but will try to get it for $302 and no tax later this week. Probably won't have much luck though, and the one for $330 today was the last one in stock.

[n6hcm]

I could have had this today for $330 + 6% Idaho tax but will try to get it for $302 and no tax later this week. Probably won't have much luck though, and the one for $330 today was the last one in stock.

see if one of the local staples/office {depot,max} will do a price match. they have to have it in stock at both places, of course ...

also--see if amazon has it ... they don't collect tax in most states plus free shipping ...

[just checked--here in six-land office depot is offering this for $329.99 through 10-10 and it is showing in stock at several local (to me) stores. office depot price match policy can be found here. (http://www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.do?file=/customerservice/lowPrice.jsp&template=customerService)