Recommendation for a <$400 Laptop?

alf · 11-02-2008, 09:10 PM

It is time to get the boys their own laptops. Any recommendations for good starters?

I am thinking of either getting used Thinkpad T41s off the bay or a new Lenovo S10.

Any experience or recommendations?

Thanks!

SlowToady · 11-02-2008, 09:44 PM

Asus EeePC?

id10t · 11-02-2008, 11:43 PM

I've played wtih a few of the new sub-sized Dells, with both XP and Ubuntu on 'em. One is on my list of things to get when I get a new job...

KFC911 · 11-03-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf

I am thinking of either getting used Thinkpad T41s off the bay or a new Lenovo S10.
....

I had always had Thinkpads during my corporate IT career, so I purchased this one (that I'm typing on - T42) from IBM's online site (refurbished & with XP) for just a bit more than that, and there are some other online sites as well. I've never had an issue with any Thinkpads, but I'm not sure I'd use Ebay (but that's just me).

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Used Dell Latitude D600 from eBay...

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Quote:

Asus EeePC?

I've got a 701(7" screen, 4Gb flash drive) and it's great for carrying around but I wouldn't want to use it as a primary machine unless you have/get an external monitor/keyboard/mouse/hard drive. I think the 9" and 10" screen versions are better, but the version I have you have to scroll left and right to see all of a webpage.. very annoying.

Tishabet · 11-03-2008, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by id10t

I've played wtih a few of the new sub-sized Dells, with both XP and Ubuntu on 'em. One is on my list of things to get when I get a new job...

+1

They were just featured in Time as one of the coolest new inventions of the year. I want one.

Schumi · 11-03-2008, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Walsh

I've got a 701(7" screen, 4Gb flash drive) and it's great for carrying around but I wouldn't want to use it as a primary machine unless you have/get an external monitor/keyboard/mouse/hard drive. I think the 9" and 10" screen versions are better, but the version I have you have to scroll left and right to see all of a webpage.. very annoying.

I have used a 1000 version a few times and I find it very useable still smaller screen resolution than most but fits web pages OK. The trackpads on them are also capable of gesture recognition but do not come with the required driver for some reason. A quick install lets you use gesture commands on the pad to do things like bring up My Computer and My Documents or open a new web page quickly or scroll very easily.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-03-2008, 06:44 AM

There's great deals to be found on the Dell Outlet. They're all either scratch/dent models, or orders that were cancelled after the PC was built. All have the same warranty as new computers, because they ARE new.

I've ordered some nice Dell laptops off of the regular site as well, but they've all been about $500.

alf · 11-03-2008, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the great advise. I just placed bids on 2 ThinkPad T42s for $300 each, will see if i win them. My wife has a used T42 and that is one rugged machine.

I think the Thinkpads will stand up to 8 & 10 year old boy's abuse better than the smaller machines (I hope anyway).

I have never bought a PC off the bay, will see how this turns out.

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf

Thanks for the great advise. I just placed bids on 2 ThinkPad T42s for $300 each, will see if i win them. My wife has a used T42 and that is one rugged machine.

I think the Thinkpads will stand up to 8 & 10 year old boy's abuse better than the smaller machines (I hope anyway).

I have never bought a PC off the bay, will see how this turns out.

Just as a note, some of the EEEPC machines don't have a hard drive, which means they're much more rugged. I don't think twice about tossing my (closed) EEE on the bed, a normal laptop, not so much. For an 8 or 10 year old boy, that might be something to consider.

onewhippedpuppy · 11-03-2008, 10:11 AM

8-10 year old boy.........laptop..........wireless internet...........hello porn! Is this your version of "the talk"?

Or on a not so light note, "To Catch a Predator". Crap like that is why our family computer will be a desktop located in our soon to be finished office, complete with glass french doors. There's a lot of scary stuff on the internet, especially for a parent.

Steve Viegas · 11-03-2008, 10:28 AM

Big Lots has a sale going on a Compaq. It has an AMD 64 bit processor, 3Gig of memory and 200 Gig of storage along with a 15.4" screen. I believe it is going for $349.00 in their flyer. This is a screamin' deal.

alf · 11-03-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

8-10 year old boy.........laptop..........wireless internet...........hello porn! Is this your version of "the talk"?

Or on a not so light note, "To Catch a Predator". Crap like that is why our family computer will be a desktop located in our soon to be finished office, complete with glass french doors. There's a lot of scary stuff on the internet, especially for a parent.

Yeah, i know what you are saying. Thing is we now live in ChiCom Shanghai and they do a good job filtering out porn here. We plan to be home in Seattle for a month in Dec; both kids will be fighting daily for mom and dad's laptops to play games and check mail i do not want the headache.

and i did not win those bids...aaargh