Best sub $400 laptop deal

[PCBliss]

Anyone know of a good deal on a decent laptop for under $400? Getting a new one for my wife for her birthday, but it seems since the netbooks came out there aren't many low priced full size laptops anymore.

 

[rickon66]

I was at a Walmart yesterday and saw a HP/Compaq 15.6" with AMD M300 dualcore, 3GB ram, 250GB HD for $398. Did not notice model number and don't know if the deal is nationwde. Also, If you want to go a little more Office depot has a HP 14" well equipped DV4-2049US for $449 after $50 rebate.

 

[Decembermouse]

That is the best deal around.

(edit) too bad it's now $498.

 

[PCBliss]

The cheapest laptop at my local walmart is $498, same on their website. I would be all over the $398 one if they had it here.

What about this?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+...ssor/9555769.p?id=1218127632130&skuId=9555769

 

[notposting]

Keep an eye open at Newegg on the Acer's. I'm typing on my Aspire 5536 I got for $399. 2.1GHz AMD, 3GB/320GB, b/g/draft-N, Gb LAN, modem, VGA, HDMI, card reader etc.

Have Win7 running on it and love it for the price. They have an Intel dual core for 399 now there, but 2GB/160GB is a little stingy. Still a nice laptop for the price (though it has the somewhat crappier Intel graphics vs the slightly better ATI onboard graphics.

 

[PCBliss]

I don't mind acers, they are definitely priced right. I just don't get the off-center mousepad? I can see the wife complaining about that.

 

[notposting]

Well, it's not off center it's lined up on the space bar. You get used to it.

 

[Decembermouse]

If you're gonna get a single-core AMD, don't go with that guy with the TF-20. It's an older 65nm, K8-based core. The newer single-cores from AMD are priced similarly to that one I believe, and it's called the Sempron M100 or M120 (might be an M140). This is just like the Athlon II, but it's one core instead of two. Same amount of cache and everything else, just one core. But the newer Semprin M1xx series is a K10.5 design, not the aging K8.

I'd say AMD/Nvidia graphics, even integrated are far better than anything Intel offers in terms of graphics in this price range. AMD and Nvidia's options have programmable shaders, making them better for gaming, HD video, and even GPU compute applications. Intel's integrated graphics are extremely weak DirectX 9 technology- true, it's been slightly upgraded many times, but still on a very basic level is inferior- with pixel pipelines. I believe some of Intel's NEW integrated graphics are supposed to be better... automatically overclock themselves, but these laptops will have I think i5 and i7 processors and cost a ton.

 

[IlllI]

this one http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1805547

 

[PCBliss]

too bad they won't ship it. There is not a frys near me

 

[IlllI]

damn, i missed the oos online. i was thinking about getting one too.

 

[jjmIII]

...What about this?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+A...&skuId=9555769

Acer - Aspire Laptop with AMD Athlon™ Single-Core Processor

This Acer is actually pretty nice for the price range your looking at. As mentioned above the processor is the weak point. It is old and slow, but runs this machine just fine.

I did however have to do a fresh install of Win7 64 on it. I have no clue why, but it would just sit at 100% cpu load when you woke it up. I tried everything, but eventually did a fresh install. It was worth it too...it runs perfect now.

I took out the 1gb stick of ram and added a 2gb for 4gb total. With a 64bit OS why did they spec 3gb.....I hate that. Just a small detail though.

The screen, full keyboard and chassis are the standouts. All are soild and nice quality feel. Wireless N is also a bonus.

This was $329 when I grabbed one. It is perfect for my wife and looks good too.

 

[evident]

If you have time, i would wait till one goes on sale.

I picked up a dual core T4300 Acer 15" laptop w/ hdmi for my sister on black friday for $400. it normally goes for $600. I've seen similar deals lately so if you can keep a lookout for one that would be the best way to go.

 

[PCBliss]

Yeah I have a month until her birthday so I will be keeping my eyes open for a deal

Just got this email from tigerdirect. This looks like a nice machine. Leary about buying a refurb though...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5636849&sku=S445-140011

 

[chris2112617]

Hey guys, I am looking for the same and in price also, but i have this one.
this one seems like a pretty good deal. just want to see what you guys think of this one.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...061&CatId=4937

 

[notposting]

That Timeline refurb is also a Core *Solo*.

I would definitely go with dual-core going forward on anything at this point.

 

[jjmIII]

That Timeline refurb is also a Core *Solo*.

I would definitely go with dual-core going forward on anything at this point.

It's Vista Home Premium 64-bit too...doubt a refurb gets a Win7 upgrade.

 

[MadScientist]

My local Walmart, as of yesterday, still had 8 of the Compaq CQ61-319WM in stock for $398. They were in a glass case 4 aisles down from the other laptops and not on display.

Specifications:
•Processor : 2GHz AMD Athlon II dual-core mobile processor M300 (3.2GT/s , 1MB L2 cache)
•OS : Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
•Display : 15.6" diagonal HD BrightView widescreen display 1366 x 768 resolution (WXGA)
•Graphic Video : ATI Radeon HD 4200
•Memory : 3GB DDR3 (Max 4GB)
•HDD : 250GB SATA (5400 rpm)
•SuperMulti DVD burner with double-layer support
•built-in 802.11b/g wireless LAN
•3 USB 2.0
•5-in-1 digital media card reader
•Battery : 6 cell lithium-ion
•Weight : 5.9 lbs.

•Dimension (L x W x H): 9.93 x 14.89 x 1.62

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Anyone know of a good deal on a decent laptop for under $400? Getting a new one for my wife for her birthday, but it seems since the netbooks came out there aren't many low priced full size laptops anymore.

yeah that is true. 6 months ago there were all kinds of good laptops for 350, but since win 7 came out they all disappeared. i got the compaq c60 at staples for 350 with vista & pentium 4200 but whatever replaced it is not that price anymore. a decent laptop now is about 500 or more. i would avoid the junky walmart laptops with amd chips

 

[Muse]

The Acer 16" 3GB 250 GB I got at Best Buy in August:

AS6530-6522 Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (free upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, which I got in the mail); AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-62 (1MB L2 cache, 2.0GHz); 3GB (2/1) DDR2 667 SDRAM; 250GB hard drive; integrated Super-Multi drive; 5-in-1 card reader; Acer® CineCrystal 16.0" WXGA (1366 x 768) TFT display; integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 graphics; 802.11b/g/Draft-N WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, webcam, HDMI out; six-cell battery


is hands down the best deal I've seen. I've seen one or two almost as good. Mine was $379 including case, mouse and printer. I've seen similar laptops selling for about the same money occasionally but not bundled. Not good for lugging around (mine's around 7.5 lb.), but nice desktop replacement. I'm glad I sprung for it because the deals I saw during back-to-school period and Black Friday were not as good as the one I got.

 

[Muse]

My local Walmart, as of yesterday, still had 8 of the Compaq CQ61-319WM in stock for $398. They were in a glass case 4 aisles down from the other laptops and not on display.

Specifications:
•Processor : 2GHz AMD Athlon II dual-core mobile processor M300 (3.2GT/s , 1MB L2 cache)
•OS : Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
•Display : 15.6" diagonal HD BrightView widescreen display 1366 x 768 resolution (WXGA)
•Graphic Video : ATI Radeon HD 4200
•Memory : 3GB DDR3 (Max 4GB)
•HDD : 250GB SATA (5400 rpm)
•SuperMulti DVD burner with double-layer support
•built-in 802.11b/g wireless LAN
•3 USB 2.0
•5-in-1 digital media card reader
•Battery : 6 cell lithium-ion
•Weight : 5.9 lbs.

•Dimension (L x W x H): 9.93 x 14.89 x 1.62

That looks like a very decent deal.

 

[ther00kie16]

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku...Id=prod2850451
http://www.frys.com/product/6045418

 

[Muse]

The Acer 16" 3GB 250 GB I got at Best Buy in August:

AS6530-6522 Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (free upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, which I got in the mail); AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual-Core Processor QL-62 (1MB L2 cache, 2.0GHz); 3GB (2/1) DDR2 667 SDRAM; 250GB hard drive; integrated Super-Multi drive; 5-in-1 card reader; Acer® CineCrystal 16.0" WXGA (1366 x 768) TFT display; integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 graphics; 802.11b/g/Draft-N WLAN, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem, webcam, HDMI out; six-cell battery


is hands down the best deal I've seen. I've seen one or two almost as good. Mine was $379 including case, mouse and printer. I've seen similar laptops selling for about the same money occasionally but not bundled. Not good for lugging around (mine's around 7.5 lb.), but nice desktop replacement. I'm glad I sprung for it because the deals I saw during back-to-school period and Black Friday were not as good as the one I got.

Word is you can get it as a refurb for $400:

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=25533204&postcount=1337

 

[najames]

I think carefully before buying that Compaq. Yesterday, I worked on a CQ50 for a friend that is just over a year old, hence just out of warranty, and it looks to be dead. Hard drive works and was virus scanned in a BlacX. I can get into the BIOS and see it ok so video seems to work. Once it gets past the BIOS all I get is a black screen with back lighting, no error codes or beeps. Memory tests good, moved them around, no diff. I removed power/battery, held down power switch and powered it back up, same results, dead. I read about this same exact thing from other places on the web too. I looked at Compaq/HP forums and it seems to be a very common problem.

Compaq/HP could care less and claims there is "no known problem". YMMV.

 

[MadScientist]

Laptop reliability study:
http://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pdf/SquareTrade_laptop_reliability_1109.pdf