Barebones laptop for $600 or less?

[Sentinel]

Is it possible? Or would it be a better buy to go with a prebuilt and have more options to play with?

 

[Oil]

There are many factors that you have to take into consideration:
1) What size?
2) Integrated or dedicated graphics
3) Max price for everything (barebones laptop + all other components)

Here is the Compal IFL90 (I'm looking at getting one myself) barebones starting at ~$650. It is probably the best bang for your buck 15.4" laptop right now with its 8600 GT. Keep in mind that you usually can't get a 3 year warranties for barebones systems.

Personally, I would get a laptop prebuilt from a reputable company such as powernotebooks.com or xoticpc.com and get a 3 year warranty. They let you customize what components you want or will get later (such as RAM or Windows because its cheaper to buy from Newegg)

 

[Sentinel]

Well I only need integrated graphics (for homeschooling use), size can vary, and max price I am really trying to keep under $600 (while maintaining a certain amount of integrity with respect to the components, which is why I want to assemble my own). But you make a valid point, have it prebuilt and get a 3 year warranty which is nice. I'll have to do some more research.

 

[zig3695]

my inspiron 1501 can be had for $600, with 1gb ram, turion x2 2ghz, 4+hour battery, ati 1150 graphics that runs aero great as long as transparency is off, and cdrw combo. it really is a great laptop, it doesnt have much style but it has quality. if you can find a 1505 in your budget that would be a better choice, as you would get svid, bluetooth and media button on the case. the bluetooth support that the 1501 doesnt have is really my only gripe with it.