Need help finding a cheap but not bad laptop

[FxCMYfOB]

I was wondering if anyone can help me find a cheap laptop around the 500-650$ price range, but one with pretty decent specs due my desktop recently failing on me, this might have to be my replacement for a few months . If anyone can point out any good laptop brands that I should be looking for that make good quality laptops with good performance please let me know. Also if anyone is aware of any really good deals or promotions where a certain mdoel would be cheaper. Id like something that would hopefully last me all 4 years of college. Thank you in advance!

 

[Don66]

Dell Inspiron 1545, I've boght 2 (one for me and one for the wife)
Have been pretty much trouble free.
Hers is used on a daily basis.

 

[Jimmah]

Some pretty good deals on right now at Future Shop and whatnot.

 

[FxCMYfOB]

well thanks for the advice, i narrowed it down to a few. i'm still looking and open to suggestions. two laptops that i have found are
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/appl...4846708&Sku=M452-16002
and
http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...FS10128778&catid=26917

to me it seems like the one from futureshop is a better deal but. its just uglier to me. which isn't a huge problem.
has anyone had any experience with the brand msi and have any feedback on the quality.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: FxCMYfOB
well thanks for the advice, i narrowed it down to a few. i'm still looking and open to suggestions. two laptops that i have found are
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/appl...4846708&Sku=M452-16002
and
http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...FS10128778&catid=26917

to me it seems like the one from futureshop is a better deal but. its just uglier to me. which isn't a huge problem.
has anyone had any experience with the brand msi and have any feedback on the quality.

If you'll be using this for school, do NOT get a 16"+ laptop. They're TOO big. I would say the biggest size you should be looking at is 14.1", but some may say 15.4" is still fine. Don't let the small size difference between 15.4" and 16" fool you; the 16" has different ratios than the 15.4" (16x9 for the 16", 16x10 for 15.4" iirc) so the 16" is skinnier than the 15.4" but as long as a 17" laptop.

As for laptops, I would go with a business laptop, but that's just me.

Lenovo Thinkpad R400 or R500. There are no coupons for Thinkpads right now (afaik) but they come out with 10 or 15% off coupons quite often.

Dell Latitude (E6400/E6500 or E4300...E5400/E5500 is okay too). The E6500/E6500/E4300 all come with standard 3 years warranty. There are usually coupons for Dell customizable and Outlet laptops. Right now there aren't any in your price range, but with coupons they definitely will be. Dell Outlet has New (although not customizable) and used laptops. Some people swear Certified Refurbished laptops are identical to new laptops. I have no experience with certified refurbs so I can't comment.

So I just realized your Tiger Direct links are for Canada. I don't know how the USD/Canadian Dollar ratio is or prices for the above laptops in Canada.

 

[FxCMYfOB]

thanks for the advice. just wondering though, where can i find these coupons?

 

[alimoalem]

I'm sure there are other sites but I go to Dealsea.com and if you look on the top, you'll see a tab for "Hot Deals", "Coupons", etc. Click on "Coupons" and search for whatever you're interested in (like "Dell", "Lenovo", "HP", "Nike"). I'm sure slickdeals.net or any other deal site should have them as well.

 

[Spikesoldier]

acer timeline 13 or 14 inch

8 hour battery life will help you if you have nonstop classes or are out all day

has just enough power for everything school related, is very sharp, and just in your budget.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: FxCMYfOB
well thanks for the advice, i narrowed it down to a few. i'm still looking and open to suggestions. two laptops that i have found are
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/appl...4846708&Sku=M452-16002
and
http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...FS10128778&catid=26917

to me it seems like the one from futureshop is a better deal but. its just uglier to me. which isn't a huge problem.
has anyone had any experience with the brand msi and have any feedback on the quality.

I agree that these are not good for school if you plan to lug them around. A 14.1 makes more sense, would be 2/3 the weight. If you want a portable desktop replacement (which is what those above are), you can get this Acer from Newegg for much less:

Acer Aspire notebook

Thread

 

[techs]

In my experience Tiger Direct is a seller you should stay away from.
Also, stay away from the Acers. Too cheaply made and repair costs are higher than other brands because of Acers policies.

If you want a Dell go to the business line. You can get a "business class")Vostro or Latitude) laptop with one year ON SITE service for the same as an Inspiron from the Home line. And for a student (well for most of us) mailing in your Dell when you need a repair is time consuming.
You will also find far more after market replacement parts for the Dells due to their popularity.

 

[hans030390]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1218092151327

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: techs
In my experience Tiger Direct is a seller you should stay away from.
Also, stay away from the Acers. Too cheaply made and repair costs are higher than other brands because of Acers policies.

If you want a Dell go to the business line. You can get a "business class")Vostro or Latitude) laptop with one year ON SITE service for the same as an Inspiron from the Home line. And for a student (well for most of us) mailing in your Dell when you need a repair is time consuming.
You will also find far more after market replacement parts for the Dells due to their popularity.

What's wrong with Tiger? They have a main warehouse down here with online prices locally.

The only problem I have ever heard with Tiger is rebate fullfillment. I never look at a rebate as guaranteed though.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: techs
In my experience Tiger Direct is a seller you should stay away from.
Also, stay away from the Acers. Too cheaply made and repair costs are higher than other brands because of Acers policies.

If you want a Dell go to the business line. You can get a "business class")Vostro or Latitude) laptop with one year ON SITE service for the same as an Inspiron from the Home line. And for a student (well for most of us) mailing in your Dell when you need a repair is time consuming.
You will also find far more after market replacement parts for the Dells due to their popularity.

What's wrong with Tiger? They have a main warehouse down here with online prices locally.

The only problem I have ever heard with Tiger is rebate fullfillment. I never look at a rebate as guaranteed though.

You could search this forum and see many of the problems people had with Tiger.
I think that Systemax bought Tiger fairly recently, so it's possible things have changed (don't hold me to this)

 

[alkemyst]

I think many's problems are not shopping hard enough and blaming the merchant for a higher price.