Best laptop for $500-$600????

[Rick Lee]

My sister has no computer and so does all her personal email and computer stuff at work, which is probably not good for job security. My folks want to get her a laptop, but have no idea where to start. I doubt she'll need anything real powerful or for anything more than email, maybe iPod stuff, her digital camera and Word docs. Are refurbs any good? Can you really get something good for that price range?

[gr8fl4porsche]

Tons on craigslist.

Pick up an upgraded gently used Dell 1501 for around 450-550. Upgraded properly, these units were about a grand. A very solid little unit.

I'd rather have a year old $1,000 notebook than a new bottom of the line $500 one.

If used doesn't float your boat, I have had good luck with the dell outlet store. While refurbished, their first quality returned units look and function as new.

[motion]

I just picked up a new Dell Vostro 1000 laptop for $399. Not bad specs: 1GB Ram & 120GB HD. Its a cheaply made POS, but it does run Vista and seems to be fairly snappy. Oh, and its only about 3" thick

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Or go to www.Compaq.com and configure one or get one that has been reworked or never delivered. you can do the same on Dell.

[stomachmonkey]

Keep an eye on bensbargains.net.

Jump when you see something good.

[stevepaa]

Any used mac at that price is good.

[stomachmonkey]

Got my MicroCenter circular yesterday.

Lots of good deals right in your ball park.

[stomachmonkey]

Some of todays deals from bensbargains.net

Few more on there.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8551854&st=VGN-NR180E/W&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1188561006028&AID=10474050&PID=404255&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage. jsp%3FskuId%3D8551854%26st%3DVGN-NR180E%2FW%26lp%3D1%26type%3Dproduct%26cp%3D1%26id %3D1188561006028

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=198152&linkid=j13774590k9470&affiliateid=k9470&mid=

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8534035&st=8534035&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186008220061&ref=10&loc=01&AID=10474050&PID=404255&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage. jsp%3FskuId%3D8534035%26st%3D8534035%26lp%3D1%26ty pe%3Dproduct%26cp%3D1%26id%3D1186008220061%26ref%3 D10%26loc%3D01

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=348055&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=Ben's%20Bargain%20Center&cm_pla=General&cm_ite=Primary&ref=performics

[chuckw951]

I bought a Sony Vaio laptop on ebay for $300. It was "top of the line" a couple of years ago. Works great.

[Rick Lee]

Thanks guys. This should give my dad a starting point.

[svandamme]

why does it have to be a laptop at home?

laptops cost more, less bang for your buck
more expensive if they break, and most people that don't use em for work or school hardly ever use em on the move

[LakeCleElum]

I bought this hp a year and half ago:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/cto_store/notebooks/RM098AV;HHOJSID=GHvpHcTJj05h1zLhGgBGzJyTZdGFhZVTD1 4ft1KBGVnqzsk2w1Gy!-1792572280

Was $600, free shipping, came with a free printer and never missed a beat....Love it...