I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

[Dgtech]

I know, QUALITY and CHEAP should never be used in the same sentence.

I've been putting off buying another computer for years and now my desktop has burped making me feel vulnerable.

I dont do any heavy graphics or gaming. This comp would just be for bill tracking, banking, reading on badcaps.net, etc...

I see on Office depot's website that they are offering Leveno, Gateway, and Toshiba's at about $400 - $500. I am looking to pick one up ASAP but I will wait for some replies. A quick search here has me unsure about Toshiba's. Am I right about that assessment?? What do you guys recommend for the same price range??

[shovenose]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Highly recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad V570 - mine was the core i5, 6GB, 640GB version. Last time I checked Best Buy website they were selling the 750GB version. Less than $600. The drive might be big (but at least on mine) it's a slow 5400RPM one, so when you get it, burn the recovery DVD and replace it with a faster 7200RPM drive (if you care)...

Very fast nice laptop I reviewed it on my website PM if you want a link...

[smason]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Look for a used Dell Latitude D820 D830, last forever and should be pretty cheap.

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Thanks for the replies. I checked into the Leveno. It looks to be about $500. I'll need special permission from wifey on that one. I also checked into the Dell Latitude D830 on my local CL. There was an ad from today. A guy is selling it for $165. I offered a trade for a working Polaroid 32 as a start. I got too many repaired LCD TV's that I can't sell for a good price due to the Christmas season so now they are trade bait. LOL

[lti]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

I haven't had any problems with my Toshiba laptop, and my dad has two Toshiba laptops that work fine. Those Dell Latitudes are fine if you can get them for a low price. $165 is a good price. The cheap new laptops use CPUs designed for netbooks and only have Microsoft Office Starter, but they work fine for basic tasks. Computers from office supply stores are overpriced.

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

There just happens to be a computer show at a convention center nearby. Anyone have any luck there? Last one I went to, about five years ago, wasn't really worth the admission fee - $10. I paid like ten each for my wife and I and we didnt find squat. I purchased a laptop case there for $10...so... I was out 30 for the whole trip for a laptop case... whatever. lol

[Scenic]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Look around for a B or G series lenovo.
Like G550, B560, B570, G575, ...

Thinkpad Edge E520/E525 or Thinkpad SL510 might be an option too. (Thinkpad series in general)
Personally I'd stay away from the Ideapad line.

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

OK... I put in an ad on CL under Barter section and got a response. Again, I am trading a repaired 32 inch LCD TV for .... (His offer) a dell latitude 2100 netbook seen here: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-2100/pd

What do you think?

[b700029]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

What about a used Thinkpad (T series)

[Scenic]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

OK... I put in an ad on CL under Barter section and got a response. Again, I am trading a repaired 32 inch LCD TV for .... (His offer) a dell latitude 2100 netbook seen here: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-2100/pd

What do you think?

Don't expect anything from Atom based systems. They're about on the level of an Athlon XP 2600+ from 5+ years ago .. 480p on youtube barely works for example (just to give you an idea of what to expect)

[shovenose]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Do yoursefl a favor don't get anything worse than a Core 2 Duo and DO NOT GET AN HP NO MATTER WHAT!
happy shopping...

[momaka]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Whatever you buy, make sure you can test it and play around with it first. My general criteria is, if it runs too hot or is too loud, it's shitty. Also avoid those laptops that only run the fans when they get hot. The fans should always be running, but quietly.

If you have a flash drive, grab the latest Zip version of PC Wizard and extract it to your flash drive (the reason to get the Zip version is because you won't have to install anything and it will run straight from your flash drive). In the store, put your flash drive in the computer and run PC Wizard to check the CPU and GPU temperatures. Not all laptops will report them, but it's still worth doing. If there's internet, put some YouTube video on HD and let it play for a few minutes, then check the CPU/GPU temps again. If they are higher than about 65C to 70C, don't buy it.

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Wow thanks!! I knew I came to the right place for advice. I think I will indeed get something higher than core 2. I'm now thinking that new is the best bet - for the warranty and all.

[shovenose]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

There's always Toshiba if you're looking to spend a little less.
However, in my experiences Toshiba are so-so.
The temp test post above is a good idea
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...&skuId=4056379

[Scenic]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...&skuId=3756321
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...&skuId=3604126

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

Well, I went to best buy today to look at the Levono laptops as well as other low priced ones. It seems like they are playing games with them. They only make available a few to create a "black friday" type of craze. There were none in stock and none on the way even though their website says they have some in that location. They didnt even have those as a floor model for anyone to check out. I guess people sleep there overnight and buy without trying. The guy told me that I could order one on the website if I really wanted one. That still is an option.

I then left there and checked the new HHgregg store. My wife and I upgraded our phones there for free (extended 2 year contract). The salesman showed us a Toshiba I5 laptop for $600, 6GB RAM, 500GB HD. It was very nice but I had to rethink the whole thing. I was gonna get this on credit but ... I got bills already. I can afford the $330 one if the other store had it.

[brethin]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

I dont do any heavy graphics or gaming. This comp would just be for bill tracking, banking, reading on badcaps.net, etc...

I have a Dell Latitude C510 with the following:

Intell Celeron 1.06Ghz
1 gig Ram
1.44/120meg LS Floppy Drive (hotswapable)
DVD/RW Multidrive Reads and Writes CD's and DVD's (hotswapable)
ATI Radeon Mobility Graphics
80GB Hardrive
56k modem installed
Wifi 54m wireless G installed
NEC 4 port USB 2.0 PCMCIA card
C Port Docking Station
Dell Monitor Stand
2 batteries (1 new, runs over 3hrs and 1 used, runs about 30 mins)
2 AC adapters (so you have one for the dock and one for the laptop)
Windows XP Professional installed

Laptop is 100% clean (no damage of any kind it looks brand new)

The wife used it for the same things you want to do and she watched movies (Netflix and HGTV) with it as well.

I am asking $175 for everything, I am open to offers.

[Dgtech]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

I appreciate the offer but if I spent over $100 for a used older one then my wife would slap me then kick me - not really in that order though.

It would be nice to have one with an HDMI output.

[brethin]

Re: I'm looking for a quality cheap laptop -

I appreciate the offer but if I spent over $100 for a used older one then my wife would slap me then kick me - not really in that order though.

It would be nice to have one with an HDMI output.

Ha, Totally understand, another 15 years or so you can tell her what I tell my wife "OLDER is better" and she will love you for it.

This one does not have HDMI but does have S-Video and VGA out ports. I have connected it to my 42" TV's via the S-Video with no problems.