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Reliable Notebook...Under $500?

post #1 of 22
4/28/05 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
I need a very basic notebook/laptop. I only need it for wordprocessing stuff and to view PDF files. Yes, I would like it to run XP, but other than that...I don't need much. All the good notebooks that were selling for $1200 plus a year or two ago...can I buy any of them cheap now? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I need to know reliable brands and models and, also, where I can buy them from.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 22
4/28/05 at 6:34pm
http://linare.zoovy.com/product/00012345684

of course, you'd have to have a copy of XP available or you'd have to buy one. Adding another chip of ram would help too

for $649 you can get this:
http://h71016.www7.hp.com/MiddleFram...D=19701&SBLID=

it is alot better than the $498 computer (has wireless, double ram, intel M proc, dvd/cd-rw) , also it comes preinstalled with XP so you don't have to worry about that
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post #3 of 22
4/28/05 at 7:40pm
A basic very all round notebook for $799 The Gateway 7410GX

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.8GHz Processor, Mobile Radeon 9600 64MB, 256MB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive, 15.4-inch WXGA TFT Display, 8X DVD / 24X24X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, 6 in 1 memory card reader, Windows XP Home Edition

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...555&pfp=BROWSE

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/.../4146sp3.shtml
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post #4 of 22
4/28/05 at 9:29pm
you can get a used IBM T22 or something....
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post #5 of 22
4/29/05 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
So, if I buy a used Thinkpad, is that the model to get? A T22? Thinkpads are supposed to be super reliable, right? Is that one of the reliable models? Also, where would I get one? Ebay?
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post #6 of 22
4/29/05 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gottaknow
So, if I buy a used Thinkpad, is that the model to get? A T22? Thinkpads are supposed to be super reliable, right? Is that one of the reliable models? Also, where would I get one? Ebay?
Any of the T20/21/22 sereis would be fine, if you just want something reliable. They are no performance beasts, and many of then are slower than the secondary LT in my sig. I have searched them on Ebay, and they seem to all run somewhere 250 - 400 USD.
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post #7 of 22
4/29/05 at 1:19pm
Dell Inspiron 6000 is reliable it only costs $100 more.
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post #8 of 22
4/29/05 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
A couple more questions:

1) What graphics card does/did the T22s use?

2) a: How hard is it to upgrade RAM on a T22? Is it a job an enduser could do? NOTE: I'm fairly computer savy...I built my own desktop but haven't done much with laptops.

b: What's the maximum RAM that the T22's motherboard will allow?

Thanks

Oh, one last question: do you guys know where to buy used laptops cheap? Is Ebay my best bet?
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post #9 of 22
4/29/05 at 3:07pm
try tigerdirect.com
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post #10 of 22
4/29/05 at 3:14pm
Older thinkpads (not necessarily used) can be found at:
Overstock.com
Thinkpaddepot.com

The prices vary, and aren't always a bargain.
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post #11 of 22
4/30/05 at 4:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gottaknow
I need a very basic notebook/laptop. I only need it for wordprocessing stuff and to view PDF files. Yes, I would like it to run XP, but other than that...I don't need much. All the good notebooks that were selling for $1200 plus a year or two ago...can I buy any of them cheap now? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I need to know reliable brands and models and, also, where I can buy them from.

Thanks.
The prices for new laptops have come down tremendously over the past couple of months. But new laptops for under $500 are still hard to find.
You can however find them at places like Walmart

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3504708

For under $100 more however, I would recommend this:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs
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post #12 of 22
4/30/05 at 5:37pm
I'd look on Craigslist (or its equivalent) if you have one in your area. I've sold two laptops for around the price, both exactly what you're looking for. Check it out, this way you'll get to see the laptop in person before you buy it. Plus, prices tend to be better than eBay.
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post #13 of 22
4/30/05 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HardBall
Any of the T20/21/22 sereis would be fine, if you just want something reliable. They are no performance beasts, and many of then are slower than the secondary LT in my sig. I have searched them on Ebay, and they seem to all run somewhere 250 - 400 USD.
dont buy imb why? First they suck why they over price everything and they look ugly. ^^^posted a ouple posts above was good for a 698 biucks computer. The truth is he amountyou are goign to spend on that tihnkpad you can get a way higer prefroming machine for less! Trust me you can get a 17inch screen 2ghz x700 for 2300 bucks IBM does not offer such tech as it is too advance for them but by next year when they discover this tehy will be like oo no its 3,000+ dollars. While the gateway i got got almost a 5 star rating from laptp mag. Get the hp one offered above or look at ebay. But stay away from IBm ther are a total rip off!
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post #14 of 22
4/30/05 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anthean
Older thinkpads (not necessarily used) can be found at:
Overstock.com
Thinkpaddepot.com

The prices vary, and aren't always a bargain.
why are you offering somone in a extreme budget an imb? Honestly why would you even bother with that company they are mile and miles behind technology! Why dotn you get an Asus...Dell...Gateway(maybe out of your price range)..Hp or Chem is very cheap i heard! Or get sytemax they are very cheap!
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post #15 of 22
4/30/05 at 7:41pm
systemax are crappy quality. at least you can rely on an IBM.

HP/Compaq tech support is by far the WORST i ever had to deal with
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post #16 of 22
4/30/05 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laptop&lt View Post
dont buy imb why? First they suck why they over price everything and they look ugly. ^^^posted a ouple posts above was good for a 698 biucks computer. The truth is he amountyou are goign to spend on that tihnkpad you can get a way higer prefroming machine for less! Trust me you can get a 17inch screen 2ghz x700 for 2300 bucks IBM does not offer such tech as it is too advance for them but by next year when they discover this tehy will be like oo no its 3,000+ dollars. While the gateway i got got almost a 5 star rating from laptp mag. Get the hp one offered above or look at ebay. But stay away from IBm ther are a total rip off!
He said RELIABLE. IBMs are WELL MADE. Not cheap.
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post #17 of 22
5/1/05 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, thinkin' about going with a T23 or even a T30. I can get them for around 500 off of Ebay from numerous sources. Also, and this is a big plus, I can get the most used/upgrade parts for these IBM as compared to any other brand. Because I'll be on my own fixin' these, having all the parts available and cheap is a huge plus. But...I haven't made my final decision yet. Still leanin' IBM for the above-stated reasons.
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post #18 of 22
5/1/05 at 5:50pm
I think you can get a ZX81 for that money. If you can stretch an extra 50 bucks, you might be able to pick up a Commodore 64.
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post #19 of 22
5/1/05 at 8:35pm
Thread Starter 
And if I'm reeeeeeaaallllyyy lucky, I might be able to get an Atari for you. You sound like someone who's made of money. How about spreadin' the wealth. I'll take any new laptop you buy me.

P.S. I was the kid back in school wearin' a normal t-shirt when you were wearin' an IZOD. I guess some things never change.
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post #20 of 22
5/8/05 at 3:01am

T22

The IBM T22 is a decent computer for basic stuff. Hell I will sell you mine. It is listed in the for sale section under IBM T22 for sale. I just bought a new alienware sentia so I have no need for the T22. Anyhow you asked about specs for the T22 here are the specs for the model 2647.

Pentium III 900mhz
512mg pc100 ram (This is maxed out) (origianlly came with 128mgb)
8xdvd rom/24x cd-rom
20 gig HDD
14" TFT 1024x768
8mgb Video Card (don't remember make offhand)

The T series think pad was (is) their higher end business line of notebooks. The are very solidly built and extremely durable. I have used them for years professionally and have just switched to the Alienware Sentia for my personal notebook as I really wanted a thin and light notebook on the Centrino platform. Plus the Alien head really irritates my Boston Terrier.....

Gunner
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