Need cheap laptop for gift

[Dephin -PC-]

These are the basic requirements:

-Windows XP
-1.5GHz processor
-512MB of RAM
-60 gig Hard Drive
-Monitor Resolution of 1024x768 or higher
-If Under $350 (buy right now)
-If Over $350 (finance only)

I was wondering if someone could find a low priced laptop with these specs or better AND possibly find another computer that would be considered a step up... My girlfriend is starting a new job next year (Disaster Insurance Claims Adjuster) and I was trying to get her a laptop to use out in the field... She'll be doing basic office programs and storing alot of pictures... It would be nice to get a wireless connection built in but since I only know wireless through a home/business router, I don't know what would be better for her... She wants to be able to connect to the internet anytime... I know places like Starbucks and most airports have a wireless gateways that you can connect to via a external antenna (USB or Direct Port) but what would need to connect anytime/anywhere?? Thanks for all the help, once again...

[newbuilder14]

By cheap, you mean inexpensive, right?

Anyway if she isn't started the job until next year why not just wait? Things may be cheaper and technology will advance even further.

Here is one I configured at Dell:
AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-50
Genuine Windows® XP Home
No Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Selected
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
60GB Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)


Dual core and 1gb of RAM - can't go wrong with that for a laptop. THis is listed as $664 which can be financed for $20 a month.

[Dephin -PC-]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 By cheap, you mean inexpensive, right?

I was in a rush so yes, inexpensive is a better used word...

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Anyway if she isn't started the job until next year why not just wait? Things may be cheaper and technology will advance even further.

By next year, I mean she is getting her license probably in Jan. or Feb. Of course then she has to wait for a disaster...

[Alaron]

I'd try to squeeze in an Intel Core based system if possible. Battery life is better then AMD mobile CPUs. But I second the idea of a Dell. Thats the best choice for a laptop with a good bang for the buck.

[glc]

Keep an eye on the Dell outlet for refurbs. I've seen them in there dirt cheap but their stock is pretty bad right now. The only other brand of el cheapo laptops I'll touch are Acers.

[Dephin -PC-]

I shouldn't of said cheap, it was the wrong word selection... I want a high quality laptop but at an inexpensive price...

I built a Dell Inspiron for about $800... I'll have to post the specs tomorrow...

[glc]

Try the small biz site and configure a Latitude too. Then go search for some coupons.

[Dephin -PC-]

My company has a latitude 500 and I have nothing but problems with it... I'm running 1.5gig memory in it, it has a 1.8 processor in it (or something near that) but it still runs slower than any laptop I have ever used... I've done hijack this logs, posted specs, and took everyone's advice (even yours glc) and yet the latitude is still slow at everything...

Here is the specs for the basic del E1505l ($0.00=Shipping, $52.99=Tax, 935.99=Total)...

Inspiron E1505:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5500 (1.66GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)

Operating System (Office software not included):
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Upgrade to Windows Vista:
No Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Selected

LCD Panel:
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™

Memory:
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm

Hard Drive:
80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

Combo or DVD+RW Drive:
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive

Video Card:
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Sound Options:
Integrated Audio

Network Card and Modem:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

Adobe Software:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0

Future Operating Systems:
Windows Vista™ Capable

Processor Branding:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

Primary Battery:
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Carrying Cases:
Dell Nylon Deluxe Carrying Case

Wireless Networking Cards:
Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)

Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed):
No productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD

Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed):
No Security Subscription

Dell Digital Entertainment:
No Pre-Installed Software

Warranty and Service:
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

Internet Access Service:
6 Months EarthLink Internet Access Included


Options worth considering are:

Intel® Core™ Duo T2050 (1.60GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB) subtract $75
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5600 (1.83GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB) add $50
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB) add $125

15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen WXGA+ Display with TrueLife™ add $50

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM add $185
2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM add $285

120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive add $55
80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive add $100

128MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1300 HyperMemory™ add $49

Dell Wireless 5700 Mobile Broadband(CDMA EVDO)ExpressCard for Verizon add $179

Add CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 1Yr Lim Warranty add $119

[thefultonhow]

I would bump down to the T2050 and get at least a 2-year CompleteCare warranty. The T2050 should be plenty fast for an office machine, and a good warranty is extremely important for any laptop.

[glc]

If you are up in the $900+ range now, take a good look at the Lenovo T60. For business use, I'd take one over a Dell any day. Right now, you can get either a 14" or 15" with a C2D, 1 gig ram, and an ATI x1300 for under $1000 from Lenovo direct.

[Dephin -PC-]

The price (if able to be financed) isn't THAT big of a deal but I absolutely didn't want to spend $800 for a laptop that would be worthless and not be able to handle the needs of her business in a years time...

[glc]

Thinkpads are the business laptops of choice, period. Second choice is the Dell Latitudes, but you say you don't like them.

EDIT: You can also look at the T60 with the integrated Verizon Wireless WAN card if she needs Internet access *anywhere* without having to go find a hotspot. There is a monthly charge for this as it's an ISP.

[Dephin -PC-]

I built one with wireless integrated, 2.0GHz processor, 1gig memory, 3 year warranty, and a 15.0 screen for about $1,587.00... Tried to make a Dell with about the same specs and it went a little bit over...

[glc]

You can cut back on the processor speed to save money - even the base C2D is a very fast processor. We are talking a business laptop here, right? You only need an optional processor for heavy multimedia work or gaming.

[Dephin -PC-]

There was a sale going on for the 2.0 but since I'm at my government computer, I can't pull up lenovo's site... I'll have to price it out tomorrow when I get home but I don't think it was alot after the sale...

but yea, if I don't need it then their isn't a point of getting it... It will be used for pure business and some personal but nothing like gaming...

[Dephin -PC-]

I'm still wondering about the Hard Drive though... Is it really worth it to get the 80gig 7200rpm or just go with the more room with the 120gig 5400rpm?? Or even stay at the 80gig 5400rpm that I had originally thinking about??

[glc]

How much stuff is going to be stored on it? Just get the cheapest one! There is NO need to option that thing up unless it's a free upgrade or it's a component you must have - like a burner of some sort maybe - a DVD burner is very useful for doing backups. The internal VZ adapter is a good deal IF you plan on using the service, but the $250 for the separate VZ card is NOT a good deal, as said in your other thread you can get a rebate deal direct from Verizon. To me, the barebones $959 14" T60 is an outstanding business laptop the way it comes - the ram upgrade to 1 gig is free as is the ATI graphics.

[Dephin -PC-]

She will be a Disaster Claims Adjuster... She is the one you call after a hurricane or storm and she documents everything and fights to get you more money... So alot of it will be office work (which I'll buy Microsoft Office CD from newegg.com) and picture storing... At least a 80gig I would think since she wants to keep this laptop for 5+ years... Also, she is cautious about not having a warranty so I was going to include the 3 year warranty with accidental coverage for an additional $199...

By getting the 14" screen compared to the 15" screen going to make the keyboard smaller?? You know how women are with their fingernails...

[glc]

You still dont need a huge hard drive - use the DVD burner to archive pictures after the claims are settled.

[thefultonhow]

Keyboards are the same size on all IBMs but the X series.