I need recommendations for a new laptop!

Hi there,
Im looking to buy a new laptop in the next two months and Im not sure where to get it from. Im not looking for a desktop replacement, just something that I can write papers on and watch dvds. The catch is, its gotta have a USB 2.0 port for my external HDs that I have and I dont want to spend more than a grand. Idealy, Id like to spend about $700 or less. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.

 

I got a Dell Inspiron 600M back in October from the Outlet Division. 4.9 lb. 1.5Mhz Pentium-M Centrino, 802.11g wireless, 56K modem, NIC, 512MB, 40GB, DVD-CD-RW combo, modular floppy (it came with) for $824 shipped free. Indistinguishable from new except for the refurb sticker on the bottom. This was after discount and an applicable coupon I picked up from a deal site. October is the end of a fiscal quarter for Dell, so that (and Jan, Apr, Jul) are the best times to catch a great deal-- they like to make their numbers like everyone else. Only thing with the Outlet is there's no changing the configuration-- you have to take whatever the particular inventory item is equipped with.

 

Nice. I appreciate your help. Did your laptop come with the mouse finger pad thing or one of the little balls in the middle of the key board? Which is better? Im planning on getting a mouse for it anyway, but which would be better for a backup? Any thoughts?

 

I have found that Dell laptops are a nuisance unless they are supplied from your company and are for work only. If you want a durable laptop, with the features you asked for like usb 2.0, then toshiba make some great models but i don't think you'll find a newish model for $700.
But with any laptop, you want to look at its durability and its battery power too...

 

The 600M has a touchpad, is of sturdy construction, and, due to the Pentium-M processor, affords about 4.5 hours battery runtime. And has USB 2.0.

 

i think acer is the way to go. toshibas a great but more expensive. i just got aa aspire 1362 and it has 4 usb2 ports and is a great overall computer.

i think they have a line called 'traveline' or something, that are less expensive.

i chose an amd processor to keep the price down a bit. good luck.

 

I have a 600M on me right now with only 3hrs~ of battery time, giving if i only use it to surf the web or chat etc. Anything of a more heavy operation means about half of that.

 

Ok, so Ive been looking at Toshiba and Acer laptops. Any recommendations where to buy it from? I noticed that Acer doesnt sell direct, so Id have to go through somewhere else like Buy.com or a retail place like MicroCenter.

 

My Gateway Solo 9300, old model, has room for a permanent hard drive. A separate bay for another harddrive, or floppy drive. Plus another bay to swop out DVD/cd reader or writer, so you can have 2 hard drives as well as DVD/CD, or Hard drive, DVD/CD and floppy at the same time. I think they call this a twin spindle machine. I will never buy another laptop without this facility. Baz