Cheap .. but decent... laptop

burdette

I'm trying to find, admittedly.. a great deal, on a used laptop. Price range is under $400... closer to $300 would be great.

I've been monitoring the KC Craig's List... there are actually a few in that price range, just nothing that's grabbed me by the short hairs yet. Plus, I don't know THOSE people. I've gotten some good deals on stuff here at Polk, I trust you guys implicitly, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Wireless is essential.
As is DVD drive (some of our software is on DVD).
CD burner isn't... DVD burner not at all.
Decent-sized hard drive... we need to load some new software. That also means decent RAM and of course a not-ancient processor. No PII 10Mhz...

Primary use for this will be home-school, and general "family" use.

We're starting a new computer-based curriculum for my 10yo daughter in the fall, and my wife would like to be able to put her somewhere besides the school room. (Thanks to a very generous Polk member, the house IS wireless).

We'll also want to use the internet for searches, my wife will do email, etc.

I'm being up-front... we can't afford what I'd like to get. Used at Craig's List prices, I wish I had at least $500 to spend right now... can't do it.

I know there are some techno-junkies around here... thought I'd check to see if your recently-replaced laptop was gathering dust or serving as a coaster.

Thanks for reading this far.
Mark

PS> I can add a pic of my 3 kids... I can dirty their faces and put them in burlap and yell "LOOK HUNGRY" just before I snap the pic.. if that would help.

tcrossma

If I were you i'd keep an eye out for a sale from Dell. They sometimes have some <>$400 new low-end laptops sales, and these days a low-end new laptop is still a pretty decent machine.

jwhitakr

Doubt this will fit what you are looking for, but I have a desktop PC that I built myself up for sale on the KC craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/sys/371467340.html

xsmi

There used to be a sight that specialized in coupons for Dell. I will look for it. Maybe they will have a coupon for one of Dell's $4-500.00 Laptops. Searching....

Here's one
http://www.couponmountain.com/

Another:

http://www.4computercoupons.com/

And one more:

http://www.onlinecomputercoupons.com/dell-coupon-codes.htm

The secret is to hit them at the right time. Some change by the hour.

burdette

Thank you for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

xsmi

Hey,

I try I just hope you find what you need.

AsSiMiLaTeD

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8404158&st=c571nr&type=product&id=1180743304365

If you can increase your bedget by a little and can find it in store, that seems to be a decent deal at Best Buy.

burdette

xsmi wrote: »

Hey,

I try I just hope you find what you need.

And I said I appreciate it, which I do.


I'm beginning to think I may abandon the "great used deal under $400" approach - as Polkmaniac suggests - and just hold off until I *can* go a little more money and just buy new.. with warranty.