Can someone tell me all there is to know about purchasing my first laptop?
491512
I used to be a student and I completely understand the budget concern. Here is what I can tell you:\n\n1. Quality and support is your most highest priority because you are going to use it until your graduation (probably longer than that). So you want a laptop that you can count on, right?\n\n2. Get RAM at least 512 MB, assuming you will use Windows XP\n\n3. Processor: You can go with Celeron, but I prefer you go with Pentium 4 or Centrino (if you want to have wireless internet capability)\n\n4. Ethernet port built in (optional modem built in)\n\n5. Hard drive space min 40 GB\n\n6. If possible, get virus software to protect your computer\n\n7. Microsoft also offers different version of Office suite. I believe there is a suite targeted only for students. I think it's called Microsoft Office for students. It has Word, Excell, and some other stuff. This suite is definetely cheaper than the other versions.\n\nThat's all. Just for your starting point, try looking at Dell Inspioron B120.\n\nTips: Sometimes if you go to campus store, they might have special price for students for software and computers. It is well worth of checking, considering every penny counts...
336803
You aren't an economics major, are you?  People don't give away $375 worth of software (what is costs those of us who are no longer in school) on laptops they're selling for $500.\n\nBTW, laptops are so expensive, people usually don't sell them until they are broken, or sorely outdated.  I'd look around in the sale papers on Sundays until you find one that's got at least a 1.5ghz Celeron M or faster processor.  You probably should go to/call your college bookstore, they may very well have a good deal or two.\n\nAlso, you'll want to add a 512MB So-DIMM (notebook memory) to whatever you buy, because 256MB is just enough to boot into Windows these days.  Newegg has them at really good prices: http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=381  Just make sure that the laptop you pick out has all of the features you are looking for, because it's not possible to add anything other than memory to a laptop.
742499
I would look for something with at least a gigabite of ram. and a 120 gig hard drive.\nthat would be a great laptop.
928829
You should be able to get good deasl on pricegrabbger.com (It gets the best prices from all online stores). \n\nAnyways, I think more than deals, try looking for quality.  My personal experience says that Lenovo (IBM Thinkpads) last the longest and are the sturdiest.  They also come with a finger print secure login in most laptops.  It's worth spending an extra couple of hundred bucks -- Lasts at least 4-5 years. \n\nDell's are inferior quality, but cheap. \nToshiba's are a good compromise \nSony's suck. \nHP is getting better, but, doesn't compare with Thinkpads.
816899
the HP Pavilion dv6000t is a pretty good laptop and starts at $580. you can customize it yourself with a few free upgrades atm.\nhttp://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment+Notebooks&series_name=dv6000t_series
1157415
You should first decide on your budget and your intended uses of the laptop. If you only have $500 to spend then you should seriously consider a refurbished laptop. A new one will cost $600 to $700 by the time it shows up at your door.\n\nDell spends the most on promoting their product and their direct sales model allows them higher margins. This allows them to compete with the other majors Lenovo (IBM), HP and Toshiba. Toshiba and IBM make the best laptops and since calling Dell can be a complete hassle should there be a problem I would consider Toshiba or IBM.\n\nRather than worrying about the manufacturer I would concentrate on what you intend on using the laptop for and the features that matter the most and of course your budget.\n\nOnce you have figured that out then look at what IBM and Toshiba offer and if you must compare it to a similar Dell.\n\nDell runs teasers all the time, but this means people spend more than they intend on spending. Since, you will keep the laptop 3-4 years buying the most appropriate laptop for you needs is the most cost effective strategy.\n\nSo, the long and short of it is type "used laptop" or "refurbished laptop" into google and see which site comes and check out the top 2-3. You might be surprised and find a decent refurbished laptops for an amazing $350.  If you want new and have figured out the features you need, if battery life is most important, if weight is most important then compare similar models from IBM and Toshiba and decide which one best meets your needs.
897565
Really depends on what it will be used for. Processor is okay as well as the memory. Pretty good size hard drive and okay video card. Again it really depends on it's primary function. Overall, I would say it's a pretty good deal. Also, check out www.deals2buy.com and they usually have Dell coupons on there and that might help save you a few more bucks.
963138
Right now there is a great deal on a laptop that is good for basic home use. It is an HP and you can get it for $299.99 after a hundred dollar mail in rebate. There are some restrictions but I will definitely be getting one... It is such a steal! Check out all the details at the links below...\n\nhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/11/17/circuit-city-to-sell-100-compaq-laptop-on-black-friday/\nhttp://techdirt.com/articles/20061115/164759.shtml\nhttp://news.com.com/Notebooks+dropping+to+99+levels/2100-1041_3-6135370.html\nhttp://bfads.net/pop/3772\n\nOh ya you can actually get the notebook for $99.99 but you have to jump through a lot of hoops and it will probably will end up costing you more in the end...\n\nGood Luck!
761153
If you r not a pro user and need the computer for basic stuff like email, web, music, films etc. you can buy one for as little as $300-400 depending on what deal u land. The specs you can expect will be something like this: Celeron-M or Core Solo cpu 1.4-1.66Ghz, 256-512mb ram, CD-RW/DVD drive, 40-60gb HDD, wi-fi wireless. If you want to go even cheaper, get one with an AMD cpu (like Sempron) instead of those intel chips. Check the weekly ads for big stores. This week both Office Depot and Walmart had sub $400 notebooks.
57626
Try CraigsList...also, if you can wait til x-mas, retailers have been including laptops as lures to entice shoppers.  Last December, Best Buy had nice ones for $199 (after rebates/AOL offer).  Alternatively, keep your eye on www.slickdeals.net
1026977
for the best value/performance ratio, i suggest you try checking out aldi or lidl... i know it sounds crazy, but they actually use good quality components from well-known manufacturers such as pioneer and samsung... you don't end up spending money on a brand name.\n\ni got my laptop from lidl about 18 months ago and it was as good a spec as anything out there - and it's still up there, no problems whatsoever.\n\nit also has a three year guarantee, which dell will charge several hundred quid for...\n\notherwise,  toshiba machines are generally regarded as being very reliable. \n\nof course, if you're not doing a lot of gaming, pretty much any laptop will do the trick nowadays. i would advise against a laptop with shared graphics memory however...\n\ntry and get one that has its own dedicated graphics card and video memory...
18953
I would go with a Dell laptop.  They have a large selection of laptops from the most basic user to the ultimate gamer.  If you are not looking to spend a lot of money on a laptop then I recommend the Dell Inspiron B120.  Very nice laptop that starts around $578. After taxes, shipping & handling the price will be $667.46.   This laptop has a 40 gigabyte harddrive,  512 megabytes of ram, 1.4 gigahertz processor, CD Burner/DVD burner combo drive with Windows XP.  Hope this helps
767919
600$ is a tight budge, so you might want to look for a slightly used laptop. But good companies are dell, toshiba, and gateway. but quality over bells and whistles and you won't regret it.\nGood luck.
1046569
laptop computers can be a rather tricky buy at times, I would suggest that you look out for the cheapest and yet latest desktop on the market, \n\nthe best way to do this is on what they call warehouse sale markets some of them are online.\n\nthese warehouse owners have a service where they sell laptop computers to normal customers like you and me, however with very reduced prices due to the fact that they do not have as much costs as normal shops do, such as rent and a employees etc. as you know most online shops have rather competitive prices sometimes cutting the laptop price to a half.\n\none such website for laptop computers is :\n\nhttp://umgarticles.atspace.com/laptop-computer.htm
57897
i got my laptop at sams club. payed 1300 for it tax and all. It has a gig of ram and 100gig hardrive. Its an hp and has 128mb of memory devoted to graphics. its also a widescreen KILLER FOR GAMES. It a HP Pavillion Dv4000, and it also has a remote.. so try sam's club or cosco's
216221
Depends upon how critical the laptop is in your situation.  In most cases I would not buy it.  Usually they cost about 15% of the original list price of the laptop for each years extended warrranty.  \n\nA small percentage of the laptops have hardware related failures.  The odds are in your favor unless you drop it or travel with it a lot.  If you can write it off as a business expense that might make the cost more appealing.\n\nSo, figure out how much it will cost and figure in 2-3 years new laptops will most likely be less expensive or at least the same price with more features.  In most cases, unless the laptop is critical to your day-to-day business I would not spend the money.
798478
laptop computers can be a rather tricky buy at times, I would suggest that you look out for the cheapest and yet latest desktop on the market, the best way to do this is on what they call warehouse sale markets some of them are online. these warehouse owners have a service where they sell laptop computers to normal customers like you and me, however with very reduced prices due to the fact that they do not have as much costs as normal shops do, such as rent and a employees etc. as you know most online shops have rather competitive prices sometimes cutting the laptop price to a half. one such website for laptop computers is : \n\nhttp://umgarticles.atspace.com/laptop-computer.htm\n\nIf you like my answer please consider voting for me!!! thank you