Laptop advice

[falco]

So I've been wanting to buy a laptop for about the last 3 years... although I'm looking for mobility, I mainly want to eliminate my desktop setup. I have a NAS setup where all my documents are stored.

I've been wanting to get one of the ASUS thin and light laptops, but don't want to spend the $600. I also want something with more processing power than a netbook. So I'm trying to find something in-between. I don't have a problem buying used, if it is from a reputable seller. I also wouldn't object to a ubuntu laptop if it saved money, but from what I've seen there is not a big price difference with them.

Any suggestions on something in the $200-$300 price range? I'm not in a huge hurry; is there a place I should be watching for deals to pop up?

[retailguy]

Admittedly, I'm biased, but I won't buy anything except a Thinkpad T series. You can get those used for $200 - $800 bucks.

Not fancy, but sturdy. I have several, running windows XP all the way up to my new T400 running Windows 7.

I have a couple of thinkpad T42's that I have set up for my pre teen girls. You can get those on ebay all day long for under $300 bucks. They will run every flavor of Linux out there, and though they will run Win7, they don't do the aero thing. (most of them anyhow, as the graphics card isn't the best, definitely suitable, but no longer new).

[MJZiggy]

Just don't get vista if you have FIOS.

[digitaldean]

If you want something new, found one of the deal sites (gottadeal.com) that had a Compaq in your price range. Unfortunately, I'm not thrilled with the processor they have for it:

http://tinyurl.com/26ercja

Another site I found is:

http://www.techforless.com

Your local Craigslist may not be a bad option, but that's more of a buyer beware situation.

I'm a little biased. I'm a MacHead, so my next computer will be a 27" iMac i7 refurb from the Apple Store.

[Freak Out]

Pretty nice mobile unit.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N3GG0Y/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[mraynrand]

I paid 150 bucks for a laptop, but it only lasted about ten minutes.

[Joemailman]

I paid 150 bucks for a laptop, but it only lasted about ten minutes.

How long did you last?

[red]

Just don't get vista if you have FIOS.

don't get vista at all. i spent 650 on a new laptop just because my old one had vista

[retailguy]

Just don't get vista if you have FIOS.

don't get vista at all. i spent 650 on a new laptop just because my old one had vista

Wouldn't it have been cheaper to buy Windows 7?

[SkinBasket]

I would check here (actually I am, as I'm looking for a notebook for the kid) daily until you find what you want. Very smart crowd, so if it's rated high, you can usually rest assured it's a good deal.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Other than that, I would just recommend one of these LED screens. They're nice.

[Scott Campbell]

http://www.notebookreview.com/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/what-notebook-should-i-buy/

I'd offer my own advice, but I haven't bought one since Xmas so my research is dated.

[falco]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll monitor the site and keep my eyes peeled for the right deal.

[digitaldean]

http://tinyurl.com/32ol4jh

Amazon.com has 2 laptops

eMachines eME527-2537 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)
• Intel Celeron 900 Processor
• 2GB Memory, 160 GB Hard Drive
• 4500M Graphics Accelerator
• 15.6" HD Widescreen LCD Display
• 8X DVD-SuperMulti Drive, 5-1 Media Card Reader
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Windows 7 Home Premium
$279

Acer Aspire AS5251-1805 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)
• AMD V120 Processor
• 3 GB Memory, 250 GB Hard Drive
• ATI Radeon HD 4250 Graphics Card
• 15.6" CineCrystal HD Widescreen LED Display
• 8X DVD-SuperMulti Drive, 5-1 Media Card Reader
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Windows 7 Home Premium
• Webcam, HDMI, Multi-Gesture Touchpad
$379