Comments on: In need of a super cheap laptop

Question: In need of a super cheap laptop

icespide — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:07:55 -0800

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.

By: Kickstart70

Kickstart70 — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:32:28 -0800

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.

By: Malor

Malor — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:35:27 -0800

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.

By: k8t

k8t — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:37:38 -0800

Keep your eyes on www.bensbargains.net -- there are always Dell coupons. I saw a $500 laptop a few days ago.

By: icespide

icespide — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:43:31 -0800

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.

By: AllesKlar

AllesKlar — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 16:48:30 -0800

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

By: evariste

evariste — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 17:17:33 -0800

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.

By: evariste

evariste — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 17:19:22 -0800

$400 Toshiba @ Best Buy

By: disillusioned

disillusioned — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 18:05:21 -0800

Seriously, eBay.

By: bonehead

bonehead — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 18:43:05 -0800

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.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:00:00 -0800

Overstock has a bunch of dells and ibms in your price range.

By: kneelconqueso

kneelconqueso — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 20:36:09 -0800

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.

By: rfs

rfs — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 21:18:21 -0800

My $200 ebay Compaq Armada m700, P3 650 MHz, runs WinXP fine, as well as a cheap Hawking PCMCIA Wifi card.

By: hatsix

hatsix — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:16:57 -0800

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!!!!

By: Sharcho

Sharcho — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 10:37:19 -0800

Recent question about online browser simlutation services.

By: theora55

theora55 — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 10:45:56 -0800

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.

By: tysiva

tysiva — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 11:36:48 -0800

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