Need advice for a buying a used or new laptop

[gaga4toyz]

I'm looking to buy a new or used laptop and don't really know what to look for. I'm looking to spend about $250-$500. I realize you get what you pay for for, but also realize you are going to pay alot for the newest gimmick that just came out. I don't need the latest and greatest. I've never bought a laptop, so I don't know if my price range is realistic or not.

My main use for the computer will be to develop documents in office, adobe photoshop, and doing presentations in powerpoint. Some of the Adobe files get large (70 MB) and don't want the computer to lag or lock-up. I'll also need to connect to the Internet (wireless) and would like to surf the web at reasonable speeds. I may use in the future to troubleshoot machine programs using ladder logic.

I won't be using this for gaming or watching HD video. It would be nice to throw in a DVD for the kids and be able to watch it without it stopping. I would like at least a 15 inch screen minimum.

If someone can help me spec a laptop out I would greatly appreciate it.

[Zemo]

Very nice deal here, at the top of you budget, but a lot of bang.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Lap...&skuId=9989299

[LadyZod]

I've got one of these for everyday use and I like it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+I...&skuId=9693473


I also picked up an old iBook from ebay for less than $100 and installed Linux on it. It works great for an on the road, simple web surfing computer with wifi.

[Zemo]

Don't want to get you confused gaga, but if you look at the HP I posted and the Dell ladyzod posted for $20.00 more the HP crushes the Dell on performance, it's got 4gb of ddrx3 memory, expandable to 8GB. You may never need that much, but its good to no you can I'm not trying dis your dell ladyzod, it has a lot, but for $20 more dollars that hp is a crusher. That HP will be competitive for a decade.

[gaga4toyz]

Thanks for the advice Zemo and Lady zod. There's just too many options on the net and I don't know what I'm looking at. I looked on ebay at the HP and it's $100 more than best buy has it for. Looks like Best Buy has a great price on it. I like the idea of being able to expand the memory. Will that help run photoshop faster?

[Zemo]

Thanks for the advice Zemo and Lady zod. There's just too many options on the net and I don't know what I'm looking at. I looked on ebay at the HP and it's $100 more than best buy has it for. Looks like Best Buy has a great price on it. I like the idea of being able to expand the memory. Will that help run photoshop faster?

Absolutely, But the 4gb ddr3 that it come with makes it a race horse out of the gate.

Iwas pretty shock when I saw the price on the, for what is has. ie3 processor to sweet! If I needed one at the moment I'd be all over it.

[toys2cool]

Very nice deal here, at the top of you budget, but a lot of bang.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Lap...&skuId=9989299

Yup I just bought that one 2 weeks ago at office depot or office max for $400, the exact same one, it was on sale from $700, so try there first bro

[LadyZod]

Don't want to get you confused gaga, but if you look at the HP I posted and the Dell ladyzod posted for $20.00 more the HP crushes the Dell on performance, it's got 4gb of ddrx3 memory, expandable to 8GB. You may never need that much, but its good to no you can I'm not trying dis your dell ladyzod, it has a lot, but for $20 more dollars that hp is a crusher. That HP will be competitive for a decade.

It's no dis, bud. My laptop is about a year old now, and has only gone down by that $20 from when I got it. That's pretty good considering how much prices usually drop.

That HP is a great deal.

[Zemo]

It's no dis, bud. My laptop is about a year old now, and has only gone down by that $20 from when I got it. That's pretty good considering how much prices usually drop.

That HP is a great deal.

No Doubt, I have about the same specs on my acer as yours at the office and it hums.