Solved! Ultra-cheap laptop for my sister (<$500CAD)

[chnathan]

Hi all,

I'm trying to help my sister find a laptop. She doesn't really know what she wants except that it should be AS. CHEAP. AS. POSSIBLE, and new (she's had bad experiences with used/refurbished).

I'll try to fill in some of what I think she could use:

~15" in screen

Video card doesn't matter. (Only games are years-old adventure games.)

RAM: >=2GB

CPU: Preferably dual-core, but she doesn't do much multi-tasking, so maybe this isn't necessary? (This is the main point I'm looking for input on.)

DVD writer

No need for webcam, card reader, etc.

Nice to have 3+ USB ports, but not necessary.

Basically its max load will be a couple IM clients open, along with a bunch of Firefox tabs, and likely a DVD or AVI movie playing. It'll primarily be used as a desktop replacement, but will travel occasionally. Price is more important than battery life or weight.

She also tends to store a lot of video files and stuff, so a large HD would be nice, but I'm trying to convince her to get an external drive for that stuff and for backup anyway, so it might actually be a detriment!

Finally, we're in Victoria, Canada.

What I've found so far are a couple cheap ones at Future Shop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dm=DEBUG&sku_id=0665000FS10125681&catid=
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dm=DEBUG&sku_id=0665000FS10127831&catid=

Question is whether the better processor, added RAM, and bigger HD are worth the cost.

Thanks in advance!

 

[frozenlead]

The RAM and HDD space won't really bring anything extra, but you'll see a noticeable speed up with the better CPU. I would get the compaq.

 

[chnathan]

The RAM and HDD space won't really bring anything extra, but you'll see a noticeable speed up with the better CPU. I would get the compaq.

You don't think 3GB vs 2 would be helpful for Vista?

They've just changed their prices though.. when I first looked it was $429 vs $469. Now it's $399 vs $499. So they're making the e-machine more attractive and the Compaq less... I'd love to recommend the better machine, but since her key consideration is cost, at $400 vs $500, I think we have to go with the cheaper one... (Unless you/people reeeally think it's worth it?)

 

[frozenlead]

It is a large speed bump for $100, but if she can't afford it (or doesn't want to) then the e-machines will do fine; just don't expect it to bound out of the gates with speed.

 

[dv137]

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwza1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-1545 $379 for 2GB, 160GB HDD, Vista, 15.4 inch screen, 4 cell battery, dual core

Seems like a good option.