Laptops!

[Miss X]

So... The powers that be have decided its a good idea for me to have a lap top providing I pay some towards it. Problem is they know nothing about technology and I know even less.

I basically just want one with XP, that I can load my aol broadband onto and download music and stuff, play gemstone and occasionally write essays. I really dont know what spec I should be looking for and since I'm a poor student I'm not sure what I can get for a decent price.

A couple of friends have suggested ordering one from the US for better value etc and I figured with all the computer geeks around here ;) someone might be able to point me in the right direction regarding where to look and what type I need?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[Volstock]

Look on Ebay. I got my Sony Vaio with a pentium 3 and 30 gig HD for 150$ just because the outside cover is scratch.

[Lavastene]

I have an hp pavilion zv5000. I would check out the pavilions at hp.com.

They make a solid laptop. Except for the hard drive failures that some of them are having, but that is why you burn images of your drive to DVDs.

- Matt

[StrayRogue]

Buy a desktop. Cheaper, better, easier to upgrade. Otherwise you'll be looking to spend a few G's for a decent machine.

Don't get the Inspiron 5100 or 5150. They have huge problems over heating and require plenty of compressed air to function.

- Arkans

[GSTamral]

Get an inspiron 8600 today. One day coupon for 500 bucks (or 1500 uses) for online.

Dell has $500 off for laptops over $1499. You could throw in some upgrade to get to the $1499 figure.
Check it out.
Coupon code is ?D0QKC7B1SRSMG

Or check out edealinfo.com for good online coupons for Dell, HP, COmpaq and anyone else with an online store.

my Girlfriend just bought a toshiba, pentium (3.something GZ), 512 mb Ram, 60 gig HD, built in wireless ethernet, basic ethernet, 1 type 2 pcmcia slot, 64 MB 3d Graphic card. and a DVD RW for like 1100$, which is like 500 - 600 english pounds.

I would say that it's a helluva deal, so try Overstock.com

[Gizmo]

aol broadband

Does anyone else see the irony in that phrase besides me?

Oh, and get a Centrino processor.

[Mistomeer]

Get an Intel M processor. If you get a full blown P4 or PIII proc, the battery life will be teh suck.