Ditto. Dell is a good way to go. I've also had good luck with HP and Toshiba.
Check the Dell outlet where they often have some really good deals.
www.dell.com/outlet
Well, that didn't work.
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh. When you get there change the "desktops" to "laptops". I'd also recommend setting the price field to "<500" and setting the Min Memory field to "2000". Click "Filter Results" and then after the results pop up, click the "price" column heading to sort by price. There are a bunch of 15" models with 3GB of RAM 160-250GB harddrives, DVD drives and built in wifi for under $400.
No laptops are going to be especially durable unless you get a toughbook or whatever they are called these days. They are designed to be durable, and they are expensive.
__________________
Steve
'08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960
- never named a car before, but this is Charlotte.
'88 targa
SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten