Looking For: A Bare Bones Laptop

[ShelleBink]

I'm looking for a really bare bones laptop to just use to write papers and go online.&nbsp; Anyone know any good sites to go to in order to find something that's very simple, yet very reliable?&nbsp; I'd need it with a wireless card since my buildings at school run on wifi, and a port to connect to the university network ((if need be)).&nbsp; Any help would be appreciated, I don't want to chance buying a piece of shit on ebay ((but I will do that if need be))<br />

[JustJon]

How much are you looking to spend?<br />

[ShelleBink]

considering i have no job and am in college... i'm pretty bare bones wallet wise too... <em>maybe</em> $150-$200 range since I could explain to my parents that it IS for school.<br />

[Death Metal Moe]

I dont think you're going to get anything worth pissing on for less than $400.

[ShelleBink]

<p>'cept on ebay.&nbsp; ha.</p><p>thats what i figure moe, but i duno if someone can find someone who does refurbishing, etc.&nbsp;</p>

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>ShelleBink</strong> wrote:<br /><p>'cept on ebay.&nbsp; ha.</p><p>thats what i figure moe, but i duno if someone can find someone who does refurbishing, etc.&nbsp;</p><p>You know, that's a good point I forgot.&nbsp; My laptop is refurbished and works very well.&nbsp; Came with a year warranty.</p><p>Hopefully someone in &quot;The Know&quot; will be able to help you out more than me.</p><p>We got my mother a Toshiba laptop for Christmas. For about 500 you can get a very decent laptop.&nbsp; That's my only real advice, but that's probably out of your price range.</p>

[Hottub]

<a href="http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iB130WL1&s=dhs" target="_blank">$499 <strong><em>AFTER</em></strong> mail-In rebate!&nbsp; Pretty decent machine for the money!</a>

[Reephdweller]

eBay is most likely the way to go, once you settle on a brand such as Dell, or IBM, or Sony, HP, etc you can definitely find a laptop in the price range you're looking for. It will definitely be bare bones but you can find the best selection on eBay.

[ShelleBink]

<p>&nbsp;</p><strong>Reefdweller</strong> wrote:<br />eBay is most likely the way to go, once you settle on a brand such as Dell, or IBM, or Sony, HP, etc you can definitely find a laptop in the price range you're looking for. It will definitely be bare bones but you can find the best selection on eBay.<p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Yea thats what I'm hoping for; I just need it in order to do written assignments and maybe surf online or use AIM while I'm at school.&nbsp; I have a desktop computer but the laptop would be better so I'd have something to do inbetween classes ((and utilize the building's wifi))&nbsp;</p>

[JPMNICK]

<p>check craigslist on whatever area you live in. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>the thing is, usually even older laptops go for at least 250 bucks</p>

[JoeYaDeadHomey]

yea i sold an old beat to death toshiba celeron 600mhz notebook on ebay, and it went for 280. its absurd i started it at 50 dollars and got way more than i ever thought i would. honestly avoid ebay, deal with craigslist, you can check it out before you get it , but anything worth its salt to be reliable or anything is going to cost you around 300. for that much wait and catch a sunday paper special @ best buy or comp usa for between 300 and 500. i know its more than you said youre looking to pay for but, factor in the ebay and even craigslist variable, of what kind of machine you are truely getting, AND THE BATTERY ISSUE.&nbsp; Anyone can say a used notebook has a good battery, but to be honest i dont know anyone who bought a used one with a battery that lasted very long, and that can be costly to replace.<br />

[PapaBear]

<p>If you can go as high as 300, this one looks pretty good for the money.</p><p><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/pcsale99" target="_self">LAPTOP ON EBAY</a></p>

[SatCam]

The problem with laptops is that as long as the monitor is still good, you won't be getting the computer for $100. No one is going to give away a functioning LCD screen.

[Death Metal Moe]

<p>I saw this auction.&nbsp; They seem to have a good seller rating.</p><p>Look into it.</p><p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/DELL-C610-1-2GHZ-256MB-20GB-CDRW-DVD-WIFI-NICE-LAPTOP_W0QQitemZ6865604670QQcategoryZ31542QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Laptop.</a></p>

[ShelleBink]

<p>i can probably go as high as $400 ((shipping included))... </p><p>thanks for the help everyone :o)&nbsp;</p>

[JoeYaDeadHomey]

your best bet wait best buy and compusa and circuit city have specials all the time for 399 if you can find another 32 dollars for tax youll definitely be able to get something brand new. ill let you know if i find anything.<br />

[Death Metal Moe]

<p>Only problem is Shelle, you can't easily upgrade laptops like you can normal computer towers.&nbsp; So whatever it is when you get it, is about it.&nbsp; You can't get a basic laptop and upgrade it slowly like a computer.&nbsp; It's easy to put another piece of RAM in an open slot, but other stuff is more difficult or impossible to upgrade on a laptop.&nbsp; </p><p>Just keep that in mind.</p>

[ShelleBink]

That's the thing Moe, I'm not looking for a top of the line laptop to begin with.&nbsp; Just something I can use when I'm on campus in between classes since I'll be commuting next year -- all it needs to be able to run is Word and include wifi ((but even that can be added on later)); I'm keeping my desktop computer and have done minimal upgrades for that ((the only thing I've had upgraded is the video card in the two years I've owned the thing)).&nbsp; This is why I don't want to go insane with upgrades, etc... I just plan to use it for the next year, and possibly once in a while when traveling.&nbsp; That's why I don't really want to spend that much on it either.<br />

[FezPaul]

<p>http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/FezPaul/bblp.jpg<br /></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">And here it is, the bare-bones laptop! Get it?!?!</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">Is this thing on?</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">I know your'e out there I can here you breathing.</font></p><p>This message was edited by h on 4-6-06 @ 3:58 PM</p>

[Dougie Brootal]

<strong>FezPaul</strong> wrote:<br /><p><img src="http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/FezPaul/bblp.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">And here it is, the bare-bones laptop! Get it?!?!</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">Is this thing on?</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#990000" size="2">I know your'e out there I can here you breathing.</font></p><p>This message was edited by h on 4-6-06 @ 3:58 PM</p><p>tough crowd tonight....</p>