Desktop replacement decision

[Muse]

14 months ago I bought a new Acer Aspire AS6530-6522 16" laptop for downstairs computing needs. My desktop, other laptop and wireless router are upstairs. I plan to assemble a data server, but that will have to wait a while. The downstairs laptop (Acer AS6530-6522) has pretty much died. It was working off and on the last week or so, but the screen had died when the troubles started about 10 days ago and I was using VGA out to an external LCD and occasionally I would smell burning electronics and the thing would shut down and only show life after sitting for a while.

So, I need a system for downstairs and am weighing my options. The system that fried was on my kitchen table. I bought a new Seagate 640GB 2.5" HD from Newegg 2 weeks ago ($75 after $10 coupon and CA taxes) just before the trouble started with the intention of putting it in the Acer and moving the Acer's 250GB HD to my other laptop, a Lenovo T60 which has a 60GB in it now. I was planning to install Windows 7 on both laptops, and have the disks already. I'd upgraded the Acer to 4GB a few months ago in anticipation of the OS upgrade (Windows 7 64 bit Ultimate), and upped the RAM in the Lenovo to 3GB, for which I have a 32bit Windows 7 Premium upgrade disk.

OK, so what I'm saying is I have a dead laptop, 2 good 2GB DDR2 667MHz cards, a 250GB HD and a 640GB HD (which I can return within the next two weeks, if I choose to do so, it's still in the unopened box) and I want that downstairs system.

Should I buy a new laptop, a used laptop (what specs)? Laptop reliability studies indicate I should probably stay away from Acer, HP, etc. and stick with reliable brands like Asus and Toshiba:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

Are even the cheap Toshiba's reliable? I see one selling for $300 at Frys (online and B&M for the next week), but it only has a single core CPU:

http://www.frys.com/product/6379681?site=sa:Homepage%20Podod2

Or should I look for a used laptop which I can upgrade with the components I already have? I need to economize. What should I do? Advice sincerely appreciated!

 

[zCypher]

Personally I would stay away from anything single core and any less than 2GB ram. I know many people with Acer and HP who are very happy, so your mileage may vary. Having said that, the brands I'm looking at are Lenovo, Asus, MSI but mostly the first two. Hard to find a good deal on a Lenovo though.

I would encourage you to check out refurbs as there are many good deals to be had there. Here in Canada, sites like Canadacomputers.com always have a ton of refurb deals - but you can also check places like the HP business outlet.

If you're not in Canada, you should try finding a site similar to our Shopbot.ca - really handy.

good luck!

edit: oh, and are you looking to replace it with another 16" or are you flexible on that?

 

[Skott]

Also I would say stay away from used or remanufactured or refurbished. I know some people buy them but for me its like saying, buy something that has already broke or was made broke and then supposedly fixed or you are buying someone else problem. No thanks. When I buy something in electronics, including a pc, I buy new and unused with a warranty. But that's just how I am.

Toshiba makes a pretty good product although like all manufactures they make some good models and they make some bad ones so get reviews of said model before buying it. I bought mine a year ago and I like it(A505-S6980 model). Best Buy was having a sale on them and I got mine there. I researched the model though first before buying. What I like about Toshiba is that they have those 12 cell batteries on many of their models and that makes for some long use of computing before needing a recharge. I can go 7+ hours of net surfing on mine. Not too shabby.