Topic: Reliable but cheap laptop recommendations?

[MakersMarc]

Seriously cheap, like 300 dollar range? Just for paying bills and stuff, nothing fancy needed. Thanks!

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

What do you want to do with it? Are you editing audio? Surfing the web?

Need more info.

[ilduclo]

I have an HP 2000 that's been really reliable and easy to use. I paid 229 $ at Office Max 2 years ago. Laptops should be on sale coming up for the college students, so you should be getting some good deals coming up. I use mine for streaming tv, surfing the web and some audio editing. Plenty of power and storage and pretty fast

[MakersMarc]

Sorry..I have my own laptop for Audio editing and storage. This one would just one for surfing and minor non-vital storage. Thanks!

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Sorry..I have my own laptop for Audio editing and storage. This one would just one for surfing and minor non-vital storage. Thanks!

For stuff like this I just have a Chromebook...the only problem may be the storage which they have very little of...but that can be resolved with a USB drive.

The Acer C720 gets good reviews and comes in way under your budget.

I have the HP Chromebook 11. Works for me...the keyboard sucks though.

[MakersMarc]

Thanks!

[ilduclo]

I had a real bad Acer before the HP, first the keyboard went, under warranty, then the hard drive (not warranty)
Ymmv

[Brian Skalinder]

While I don't have broad experience in the market, most inexpensive laptops I've laid my hands on seem...cheap.  As in poorly made, new & slick & "fashionable"...but not made to last.  Now, it's entirely possible I just haven't stumbled across the right make & model.

For my money, I'd go for a refurbed Lenovo Thinkpad T-series (or X-series if you want something a little smaller):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100006740%2050010418%204016%20600003821%204018%20600003822

[bryonsos]

I just picked up one of these. So far, I'm pleased.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-jet-black/5346014.p?id=1219649750488&skuId=5346014

[MakersMarc]

Thanks for all the ideas...my cheap on asus eee has issues, so maybe that Lenovo refurb is the way to go. Thank you

[voltronic]

+100 on Brian's recommendation of a refurbished ThinkPad. 

Back in my PC repair days, I did a lot of warranty service on them, as well as other laptops from HP, Toshiba, Compaq, and Apple.  The ThinkPads were far superior in materials used and logical / sturdy construction, and if you were a hardcore touch-typist, they were the only real choice.  That was back when IBM still made them, but my experience with them since Lenovo's acquisition tells me the standard of quality is still very high. 

A refurbished ThinkPad will probably last you longer than a new model of any other brand.  Note that this endorsement does not apply to Lenovo's cheaper lines - only to ThinkPads specifically.

[MakersMarc]

Thanks Volt!

[ScoobieKW]

+100 on Brian's recommendation of a refurbished ThinkPad. 

Back in my PC repair days, I did a lot of warranty service on them, as well as other laptops from HP, Toshiba, Compaq, and Apple.  The ThinkPads were far superior in materials used and logical / sturdy construction, and if you were a hardcore touch-typist, they were the only real choice.  That was back when IBM still made them, but my experience with them since Lenovo's acquisition tells me the standard of quality is still very high. 

A refurbished ThinkPad will probably last you longer than a new model of any other brand.  Note that this endorsement does not apply to Lenovo's cheaper lines - only to ThinkPads specifically.

Refurb Thinkpad every time for me.

[EarlyMorningRain]

Marc,

I refurish/sell used Lenovo laptops. For $200 (shipped) I can sell you a really clean Lenovo T410 machine with an i5 processor, 4 gigs of RAM, with Windows 7 etc.

If you have any interest, just LMK. If you need a reference go ahead and ping Ben Turnball.

[MakersMarc]

Thanks man, no reference needed. Just gotta check with the wife, it's for her......