I need a Laptop, I've come to the experts

[HTA!]

My parents have agreed that a laptop is becoming essential in my schooling, and so I've been looking around for a decent one.

Mind you, I have $200 to spend on my own, with my parents willing to match it. So, $400 is basically my budget, and I've seen some good ones for exactly that price. But I'm not sure if its worth it, and was wondering what a "good" laptop really is.

The one I'm looking at has a 250 GB Hard Drive, 3 GB Memory (what I assume is RAM), and a 16 inch display. Free upgrade to Windows 7. I'm trying to find it again as we speak, but do you guys have any suggestions?

[L10]

Newegg, I'll see if I can find one that I would get with $400 and post back...

oh, and $400 probably wont get you much you might want to save your money for a better one, and don't get a "no name" company laptop, such as Compaq or "E-Machine"

[HTA!]

Economic times call for a cheap laptop.
I'm looking at a couple Dells that are $500...

One I was looking for was a Compaq, crush my dreams why not. D:

[L10]

Economic times call for a cheap laptop.
I'm looking at a couple Dells that are $500...

One I was looking for was a Compaq, crush my dreams why not. D:

Hey, you can get a Compaq at your own risk, but I'm sure most people here will tell you those two companies aren't any good

[Kierou]

Never buy E-Machines. Ever.

[Silverhawk79]

Economic times call for a cheap laptop.
I'm looking at a couple Dells that are $500...

One I was looking for was a Compaq, crush my dreams why not. D:

Compaq is bottom of the barrel.
Avoid it at all costs.

[Nayrman]

Compaqs are intercourse ing terrible.

Dells are good for a while. Problem with them is that when it's their time to go, THEY GO FAST.

[HTA!]

It might not even travel at all by the way... its just easier than getting a desktop and if I do need to travel I have the option.

Dells look nice but at 2GB RAM can they really run Vista all that well?

I'm fine with sacrificing HDD space for processing power...
Looks like I can trade a 250GB HDD for a 160 GB and gain 1 GB of RAM...

[L10]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=2004940032&Manufactory=10772%2C1315%2C10782%2C1186%2C11447&PropertyCodeValue=406%3A28503%2C406%3A43779%2C406%3A24679%2C406%3A39260%2C406%3A14856%2C406%3A27789%2C406%3A16981%2C406%3A33097&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=False&Order=PRICE On sale for a good price, some of the reviews don't seem promising...

aaaaaaand I can't find much else on Newegg without going way over your budget....

Tigerdirect and Circuit City might have something, I'll post back if I find something better =/

[Jono2]

when buying laptops, name-brands are worth the cash.

[L10]

Oh, how I love Circuit City

http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&Sku=A180-15610

That might do too

[Tupin]

For $400, you can't get much from a name-brand laptop. Maybe a netbook or something.

HP is pretty good and reliable, but always check the specs and hope it doesn't break down. Seriously, mine just stopped connecting to the Internet. At least repair is free. Do not get a Compaq, eMachines, etc; That would be asking for trouble.

[Jono2]

always read lots of reviews.  lots and lots of reviews.

[HTA!]

Ryu... that actually looks really nice.
Thanks.
However, I'm not familiar with that processor, is it okay?

[L10]

Ryu... that actually looks really nice.
Thanks.
However, I'm not familiar with that processor, is it okay?

AMD, yeah, AMD is fine, I have it in my desktop and so far it's run like a champ