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[MacGuffin]

..but I don't know what kind, or where to look. And...I don't want to spend over a grand. I just need it for Word, the "Intra-net" and other basics.

I tried the "Pricewatch.com" where I purchased the computer im typing on now, and I had success with one of there affiliate companies, but I'd also like some place to compare the various kinds.

Does anyone have any advice? Things I will definatly want? Or stuff that would be worthless?

 

[Tarazet]

If you just need the basics then anything will do. Go to a BB or Fry's and look for the design you like..

 

[Instigator]

It's not wise to use a laptop as your only computer.

Furthermore, try to stay away from those that are too cheap. More often than not, reliability is not on their side.

 

[Tsubaki]

And if you buy used, be prepared to get screwed over with stolen property, and the authorities sabotaging your chances to get your money back. <--- (Currently going through this.)

 

[MacGuffin]

And if you buy used, be prepared to get screwed over with stolen property, and the authorities sabotaging your chances to get your money back. <--- (Currently going through this.)

Suck! For real? Man, where did you buy it from? A local chain? The 'net? Someone you knew?

 

[Tsubaki]

Suck! For real? Man, where did you buy it from? A local chain? The 'net? Someone you knew?

Long story short. Bought off ebay from a laptop reseller. 300+ feedback, all positive, so I don't think the guy knew it was a stolen item.

When I went to transfer warranty, it was flagged as stolen. So I filed a PayPal claim... but they only give you a small window of time to get all official police documents in to get your money back. Problem is, the Police station assigned a guy who worked midnight shift to me, and he won't return my phonecalls even though I've left many messages. Police station says they won't assign anyone else to my case because it's that one guy's responsibility.

Moral of story: Don't file a PayPal claim until you've gotten all your paperwork (your account of what happened, police report, notice of confiscation, etc). Nobody in the process cares that you may lose your money other than yourself.

Police even had the nerve to tell me as an excuse to their non-responsiveness: "Well you bought it off of Ebay. It's buyer beware."

 

[Fragamemnon]

Secondhand through Ebay (cheap, possibly shady) or Craigslist (even cheaper, not as shady since you can ask the seller to talk about the machine's history and provide reciepts) would be the best bets.

New through Dell or IBM if you have to get something fancy, but it'll be overkill more than likely. I do like my IBM Thinkpad (T41) for day-to-day work-I don't use a desktop at all for work now, and haven't done so for about 2 years.

 

[Pellham]

if you want a good deal on a new laptop, http://www.slickdeals.net is a good site to watch...