best laptop under $700

mr.loverman · Sep 9, 2008

I need a new laptop for under $700. Any suggestions?

it will be used for writing papers and downloading movies and music

feynmix · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by mr.loverman

I need a new laptop for under $700. Any suggestions?

it will be used for writing papers and downloading movies and music

i'd go with a used IBM thinkpad. You can get a solid one for ~$500.

rnoldh · Sep 9, 2008

Aren't they branded Lenovo now?

And yes, they are a great value.

Thomas · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by feynmix

i'd go with a used IBM thinkpad. You can get a solid one for ~$500.

+1, definitely.

Matt · Sep 9, 2008

I have an Acer. Do not make that mistake.

feynmix · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by rnoldh

Aren't they branded Lenovo now?

And yes, they are a great value.

Yeah, they are branded Lenovo now, but you still buy them from the IBM website. The customer service is excellent too. I ordered online on Tuesday, they called me to confirm my address on Wednesday, and it was here on Friday.

sho'nuff · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by m@T

I have an Acer. Do not make that mistake.

yes, i always recommend a thinkpad. (or lenovo, same difference). those are built like a tank.

progressiveminded · Sep 9, 2008

If you want to go another route, you might consider the Asus eee PC. It's tiny as ****, which may or may not be the best for watching movies, but it's light, cheap, and will go online/word process/etc.

skiwebster · Sep 9, 2008

you should check the fatwallet hot deals forum. there are always a bunch of laptops on sale somewhere and you can find the best deals through the forum. i was able to get a decent laptop (probably around $700 new) for less than $400 about a month or two ago for a friend. as far as brands, i've actually had a couple of hps and always liked them - especially for movies since most of the models have the glossy screen and a built-in/hidden media remote. people say lenovos are the most reliable but i've had friends with them that crapped out after a few months. its really a crapshoot with laptops--people have different success with different brands--its all basically a wash. except for toshiba. i've never heard one good thing about them (looks or performance wise).

Connemara · Sep 9, 2008

IIRC Asus recently came out with one or more sub-$700 models.

Tarmac · Sep 9, 2008

any of you use the new breed of cheaper, very small, subnotebooks? It looks like what I would use if I were in school.

Southern-Nupe · Sep 9, 2008

Originally Posted by Tarmac

any of you use the new breed of cheaper, very small, subnotebooks? It looks like what I would use if I were in school.
I'm really tempted to get one of these as a gift to myself for Christmas. Currently I'm leaning towards the Acer Aspire one, the Dell mini, or the upcoming Lenovo S-10. I don't really like the ergnomics of the Asus, and I think the HP mini (whatever it's called) is far overpriced for this category.

dfagdfsh · Sep 9, 2008

At that pricepoint there's many 'decent' laptops that will work well, but for anything really cutting edge, you're going to have to look for (and hope you get lucky with) a once-a-year deal. I managed to pick up a $700 laptop for $250 from a Staples blowout (just slapped 2 more gigs of RAM in and it's decent enough), but opportunities like that come infrequently. You should probably watch slickdeals.net and look for either refurbed apples, or Dell XPS sales.

level32 · Sep 10, 2008

though I can't vouch for performance since I don't have one, I'd just like to offer you an incredibly cheap option: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1211587727715

best laptop under $700

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