Laptop Suggestions?

[KingManULTRA]

I need something for work. You know, for using Microsoft Word mostly. Don't need a good processor or a good graphics card.

The cheaper the better. Any recommendations?

[Foo]

Just go for the cheapest you can find with a reasonably warranty period. If you can find an el-cheapo with a 3yr warranty, sorted.

Just make sure that you're definitely being honest about your expectations. It'll run hot, have a shit battery life and terrible specs and heavy. But it'll be cheap as fuck.

On the other hand, if your requirements are for a lightweight business machine, take a look in the second hand market for some of the HP ultraportables (nc4010) or the older Sony Vaio models since they've been churning out sub-15" units for years now. Just be prepared to buy a new battery.

[KingManULTRA]

Cool. For non-gaming, is there a significant difference between:

Mobile AMD Sempron™ 3500+ (1.8GHz/512KB)
and
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-53

(an extra $50)?

EDIT: Also, is there a significant difference to warrant $125 for 2 GB of ram instead of 1 GB for a Vista Premium PC for a work machine?

[obsidian]

For $50, I would get the X2 without a thought, just to make things extra zippy if for no other reason. You don't *need* it, but it's well worth it for that price difference.

2GB RAM for word processing? No, not worth the price and not worth the performance benefit. If the lappy uses DDR2, that kind of chip is ridiculously cheap these days. I picked up a couple of 1GB chips for under $50 for each stick.

[KingManULTRA]

Thanks. By the way, with 1 GB of ram, should I go with XP Home or Vista Premium?

I'm primarily concerned about the overall speed of the computer and keeping the battery life low. But I also want up-to-date security. If I disable all the fancy interface crap in Vista, is battery life and non-gaming interface performance comparable to XP?

[FragaGeddon]

I like Vista. Especially the favorite links bar is useful.

[Foo]

I'm primarily concerned about the overall speed of the computer and keeping the battery life low.

XP then. Vista is a fair choice if bundled with a new PC but it will perform slower than XP pound-for-pound.

[+JuggerNaut+]

I like Vista. Especially the favorite links bar is useful.

dealbreaker.

[+JuggerNaut+]

smokin' deal on the Dell Vostro:

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/gotapex.php#49635