In need of a super cheap laptop

February 5, 2006 4:07 PM

Where could I find a super cheap sub-500 dollar windows laptop that will only be used for Internet Explorer testing at the office? Wireless would be a plus.
posted by icespide to technology (16 comments total)

New or used?

If you pick up a used IBM Thinpad iSeries laptop with built-in wireless, you'll probably have something completely workable for your purposes.

I've just set up one of these for use as the "kitchen computer", for recipes, etc. while cooking.
posted by Kickstart70 at 4:32 PM on February 5, 2006

Used might be a good bet. If you can get it with the reinstall CDs, just wipe it when you get it and start fresh.

Remember that unpatched XP lasts, on average, about five minutes on the Net before being hacked, so be sure to turn the firewall on BEFORE you connect to the Net for updates.... better still, have an external firewall to protect you.

My sister got a decent new machine at one of the big-box stores for, oh, about $850. It's surprisingly nice for the price. HP brand, which surprised me, they've been horrible for as long as I can remember.

Sometimes Dell will run super-duper sales when it's having a bad quarter. If you're not in a hurry, keep your eyes on the deal sites, and you might be able to get a reasonably good one for cheap.

But sub-$500 laptops tend to be used, in my experience.
posted by Malor at 4:35 PM on February 5, 2006

Keep your eyes on www.bensbargains.net -- there are always Dell coupons. I saw a $500 laptop a few days ago.
posted by k8t at 4:37 PM on February 5, 2006

I have no problem with it being used. It just needs to run XP, IE and it would be nice to have wifi. I have a 15 inch PowerBook as my main machine.
posted by icespide at 4:43 PM on February 5, 2006

I'll recommend Tiger Direct. I think they are a "campy" corp at best, but I have gotten quite a few things here (good things) on the cheap for work. They sell refurb laptops, and I've seen new $500 acer lappies before. YMMV
posted by AllesKlar at 4:48 PM on February 5, 2006

Brand new Toshiba laptop, pretty decent specs, for $400. Look in the slickdeals forum for details. Between them and the FatWallet forum, you're bound to find something good.
posted by evariste at 5:17 PM on February 5, 2006

$400 Toshiba @ Best Buy
posted by evariste at 5:19 PM on February 5, 2006

Seriously, eBay.
posted by disillusioned at 6:05 PM on February 5, 2006

For XP, make sure that it's at least a P3 800 Mz+ (or so), has 256kB (though 512MB is MUCH better) and at least 20 GB of disk. You can upgrade memory, but it can be very expensive to do so.

For the Thinkpads, that's the T21/T22 and anything later.
posted by bonehead at 6:43 PM on February 5, 2006

Overstock has a bunch of dells and ibms in your price range.
posted by 445supermag at 7:00 PM on February 5, 2006

http://www.fatwallet.com/c/18/
http://www.slickdeals.net/

Things like that are posted all the time on these sites, particularly in their message boards.
posted by kneelconqueso at 8:36 PM on February 5, 2006

My $200 ebay Compaq Armada m700, P3 650 MHz, runs WinXP fine, as well as a cheap Hawking PCMCIA Wifi card.
posted by rfs at 9:18 PM on February 5, 2006

I just sold my laptop on craigslist.com ... actually, I traded it to a guy for his PSP (plus accessories)...

We both got exactly what we wanted, I highly recommend it!!!!
posted by hatsix at 11:16 PM on February 5, 2006

Recent question about online browser simlutation services.
posted by Sharcho at 10:37 AM on February 6, 2006

My experience with Overstock.com was not good - used laptop was labeled refurb, defined as "new or like new." Same model was @ 20% less at Geeks.com, correctly labeled used. Wrote a letter to Overstock & got no reply. Geeks.com have an IBM under 500. Thinkpads are sturdy and well designed, but the lack of touchpads on many, and windows key on all, model drives me buggy.
posted by theora55 at 10:45 AM on February 6, 2006

research whatever laptop you buy(customer reviews and such). i ended up with a dell and i'm quite happy with it.

for the best prices, keep your eyes open on dealnews.com
posted by tysiva at 11:36 AM on February 6, 2006