looking for a budget laptop for school

[chrome0011]

I don't need to game, just something for homework, web surfing, and coding. A full-size keyboard is a must (I have big hands) as well as a nice screen. Built in wifi. Of course thin and light is a plus. This will be my first Lappy so I don't have any other real preferences. I also don't mind upgrading RAM myself.

Thanks for your help gents!

 

[Hacp]

check out the v2000 series from compaq. The celeron and sempron options are both very good.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Originally posted by: Hacp
check out the v2000 series from compaq. The celeron and sempron options are both very good.

i think officedepot or some other retail store has the v2000 celeron version for as little as 399AR this weekend. check it out. IIRC, it's celeron-m, 256mb ram, 60gb hdd for 399, build to order so you can order upgrades if you want.

 

[chrome0011]

Saw that on SlickDeals, was playing with the configurations...

here: http://www.compusa.com/products/cto/cto.asp

Any suggestions for an effective config? I need that integrated wireless, and the brightview thing for sure...

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

get the base config plus wireless and brightview if you like it. Then you can upgrade the ram on your own. Maybe ugprade to a 5400rpm hdd, unless the base is already 5400rpm?

EDIT: also i'm not sure if it's allowed, but maybe getting the "pentium" chipset even if you have a celeron cpu. The pentium chipset gives you an extra usb port, a firewire port, etc.

 

[chrome0011]

Just a question: How are the screens on the t41/40 Thinkpads? I know they are matte finish, but are they bright with good viewing angle?

How is this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-THINKPAD-T40-LA...1QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[surreal1221]

The v or m series 2000's are great laptops from Compaq, have the M2000 myself. 15in monitor, 1.6ghz AMD sempron, 40 gig hdd (downgraded as I didnt need a huge hdd for this thing), ordered it with 256mb of memory and upgraded with a 512 stick from newegg. . .

Great box, never had any issues with it. Running XP Pro corp. I only use it for pretty much the same thing, school, some work, poker playing, relaxing, and the wife uses it from now and again. Would certainly look into the 2000 series from compaq if you want a cheap, reliable, better than average laptop. Bottom line.

 

[simms]

A used X30 or T30 will be great for you.

The brightness is ok, nothing FANTASTIC but it's bright enough relative to other systems. Between 1-10, I'd say 7.5.
The viewing angle is smaller than most, I think; that can be a good thing if youd on't want people looking over your shoulder to see what you're doing.

That T40 looks decent. I picked up one off the AT forums for $650 with upgraded RAM and 60Gig hard drive, and that was a good deal.