Budget (mid-range refurb) laptop with best keyboard/mouse?

[slackerinabox]

I'm looking for a relatively lightweight system for just typing and web browsing. Nothing earth shattering, but I do a lot of writing and my current dell's atrocious keyboard makes the task a chore (and the touchpad sucks). Any suggestions? No gaming, and I don't really need a touchscreen

 

[jana519]

What model Dell are you on? Latitudes especially and Thinkpads have the best reviewed keyboards and trackpads: good key travel, tactile feel and firmness. I don't think you can go wrong with a C2D Latitude.

 

[slackerinabox]

It's a 2 in one flip top. I never use it in tablet mode, the keyboard squishy, and right click awful on the touchpad. I know it's a real cheapie, so will look into the latitudes - thanks!

 

[kommisar]

I'm looking for a relatively lightweight system for just typing and web browsing. Nothing earth shattering, but I do a lot of writing and my current dell's atrocious keyboard makes the task a chore (and the touchpad sucks). Any suggestions? No gaming, and I don't really need a touchscreen

You can get a thinkpad t60 for less than $100 on ebay. 4:3 aspect ratio and the best keyboard ever.

 

[kitatech]

I just got the Dell Latitude e6410 refurb for $200 from NewEgg....i5 processor, 4gb RAM (8gb max), 250gb HDD, on-board graphics...

I like the keyboard feel and layout...
I use an external wireless mouse...wi-fi works fine...

The screen IQ is okay for web browsing and doc creation....image IQ though a bit cooler than my Viewsonic monitors...but for photos I'll use one of them rather than the laptop screen.

....only drawback I would mention is the limited resolution (1280 x 800) in Microsoft onboard HD graphics...oh well....

 

[cbn]

....only drawback I would mention is the limited resolution (1280 x 800) in Microsoft onboard HD graphics...oh well....

You haven't loaded the Intel graphics driver? (I believe this laptop comes with a 1440 x 900 screen)

 

[shady28]

You haven't loaded the Intel graphics driver? (I believe this laptop comes with a 1440 x 900 screen)

It does, the one in my sig is 1440x900. Paid $300 for mine maybe a 18 months ago. Dell outlet on Ebay. These are corporate laptops, meaning build quality is superb compared to the $500 cheap specials you see all over. Great backlit keyboard, modular components like a DVD that can be swapped for a HDD, and now it's cheap to get those extra parts like a full on docking station or extended life battery.

I doubt that I will ever purchase a brand new laptop again.

 

[s44]

I'm looking for a relatively lightweight system for just typing and web browsing. Nothing earth shattering, but I do a lot of writing and my current dell's atrocious keyboard makes the task a chore (and the touchpad sucks). Any suggestions? No gaming, and I don't really need a touchscreen

Toshiba Chromebook 2