Ike Evacuee Needs Laptop Advice (Vanity)

Me, myself and I ^ | 10-21-2008 | wildbill

[wildbill]

I'm an Ike evacuee and won't be getting a permanent place to set up my desktop for months. I'm lost without a computer with my own programs and set up and am tired of borrowing friend's machines. Especially since I am on the Board of my destroyed condominium.

I need a very cheap laptop that will let me use internet and write documents. Viewing some anti-Obama vids is a plus. I won't use it much after things get settled down. I found this model for $300 at Buy.com. Any comments or ideas would be much appreciated.

Product Description: Dell Laitude C640 Notebook Intel 2.0GHz Pentium 4 Processor 14.1"" TFT Active Matrix LCD Touchpad and Eraser Style 512MB DDR Memory 40GB Hard Drive CDRW/DVD ROM DRIVE Microsoft Windows XP PRO Integrated 56k Modem Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Battery Included, not guaranteed Origianl Dell Ac-Adapter is included

[ikka]

Dell has new models for $399 with a one-year warranty I think. That Latitude does not have a guarantee on the battery and is older.

[conservativehusker]

http://www.surpluscomputers.com/Dell_Latitude_C640_P4_2GHz_Notebook/COM10689/partinfo-id-348208.html

This is another option:

[Red Badger]

It's a Dell, eh?................

[Dr. Sivana]

Most Latitudes are pretty well built (by Quanta, last I heard), but used laptop batteries almost never work well.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

You can do better, I think.

You shouldn’t get less than 1gig of ram.

Walmart has some good deals.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=laptop&search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&ref=501456.4292601703

You can usually do even better in the stores.

[Kenny500c]

Here is a good deal, I have done business there for years with no problems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115432

[PissAndVinegar]

I've got a Asus EEE PC 701 and love it.

Pros: low cost($300); Tiny 7” screen, extremely portable, rugged, fast, solid state, build it wifi, high ‘cool factor’ (haha)

Cons: Tiny 7” screen, smaller keys (luckily I don't have fat fingers), limited HD space (4Gb without external card)

They now have 9 and 10 models for 350-450 as well.

Good prices here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=EEE+PC

(ShadowAce - add to tech ping please)

[relictele]

Seems a bit old and underpowered even though the price may be palatable. As others have pointed out new laptops can be had for nearly that price especially promotional models from Dell.

I don’t see any reference to WiFi (wireless networking) so that will be an add-on card or adapter should you need that ability (and most do these days particularly mobile users!).

Look at delloutlet.com where you can mix-n-match your specs and/or choose by price - these are refurbished and/or scratch-n-dent units that carry a Dell warranty.

[ataDude]

Can’t help too much on the hardware but check out / google “Open Office” for software. It’s free and totally replaces MS Office for all functions.

[diefree]

you could try www.propertyroom.com (stealitback).

What about those new very small ones that www.instapundit.com is always talking about.

[joe fonebone]

go to tigerdirect.com and check out their refurbs...

[Covenantor]

“not guaranteed Origianl Dell”

If that is an accurate quote from the site I would look elswhere. They’re telling you up front that it might be a complete hack.

512 mb us slaggingly slow for Win XP.

You’re NOT getting a Dell Dude!

Look for for refurbished laptops on Dell’s site.

[Condor51]

Try this.

TigerDirect.com
Acer Aspire One AOA110-1295 Refurbished Netbook - Intel Atom™ Processor N270 1.60GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 512MB DDR2, 8GB SSD, 8.9" WSVGA, Integrated Webcam, Linpus Linux Lite, Open Box

Price: $339.97

There's even cheaper ones on this link..
$289.99

I get all my stuff from Tiger Direct, never a problem.

[ShadowAce]

[tearlenb]

Here is a good site that compares all sorts of notebook prices. I find great deals on here a lot.

http://www2.pricewatch.com/notebooks/

[antiRepublicrat]

Price a Lenovo on their site. I know someone who recently got a good deal there.

[Eepsy]

If you’re in a hurry, you can walk into most any Target store and pick up this:

http://www.target.com/ASUS-8-9-Netbook-Computer-Linux/dp/B001E1OQL8

Seems to fill your requirements :)

[Travis T. OJustice]

I’ve heard nothing but bad about lenovo.

[Enchante]

Dell had new Vostro 1000 in email blast yesterday - price listed was $399

I wouldn’t buy a used laptop — anyway you’ll have to replace the battery and that will bring you up around the $399 price for a new and better laptop.