Need a cheap laptop

[Cask]

I need to get a cheap laptop by next week at the latest so not much time to shop around. It must have a serial port and be capable of running Windows XP and the basic apps so don't need anything hugely powerful, although if I can get one with some meat behind it without pushing the price up too much then I'd probably be tempted.

I'd rather not go the Ebay route unless there's a real bargain on there, so I'm probably looking at the cheapest Dell model at the moment for £429. Looking to spend as little as possible really but I'd put £500 as the absolute maximum limit if a really good deal presents itself.

Any help be great because I need to order ASAP.

 

[Cask]

Noticed that I can get a USB to Serial adapter so a serial port shouldn't be a necessity hopefully.

 

[Dommers]

This is 600 squid but I think its worth it for the money: http://www.meshcomputers.com/updated/nb_asus_a6u.htm

A lot of other ones ive seen are offering absolutely shit specs for 600

 

[Dommers]

http://www.acernotebooks.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_3000_Laptops/prod.asp

 

[inactionman]

Need a laptop for console work?

That Acer looks fairly good, it's not as if you need a powerful computer to run a terminal emulator anyway!

 

[Cask]

Yeah that kind of thing. The software is a bit more than a command-line (it's for programming logic devices so a lot of it is graphical apparently) but don't think it'll need much horsepower. I'll need to run standard windows apps too though.

Can't really afford the £600 one but that Acer looks really good. I'm stuck between that one and this one which has a widescreen display. Think the widescreen is worth another £50?

 

[Dommers]

Well, do you need wide screen when programming? ( I wouldn't know, but im guessing you don't) If not save 50 quid and get yourself something nice.

 

[inactionman]

That AMD Acer:
* AMD Sempron 2800+
* 256MB DDR SDRAM - Double RAM Offer – Call for Details
* 60GB Hard Drive
* DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs
* 15" XGA TFT Screen
* Intel 855GME 64MB shared graphics
* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pre Loaded
* Includes Cyberlink Power-DVD and NTI CD-Maker
* FREE Microsoft Works
* 1 year warranty - Upgradeable to 3 years warranty including Accidental Damage cover for only £99!

AMD processor, Intel graphics, how?? :touch:

Get the intel, it comes with LAN/Wireless built in.

 

[TdC]

Noticed that I can get a USB to Serial adapter so a serial port shouldn't be a necessity hopefully.

I use those at work and they actually work pretty well. That's on an IBM thinkpad running Solaris 10 for x386 btw. Besides having to tell Solaris that the serial communications have to go through the USB device there were no problems at all.

 

[Ardrias]

Yeah, those converters are ok these days. That is, if you dont use some silly apps under Windows that refuse to believe you can have a COM port higher than 3...

We've bought a few Acers at work, and they all work just fine.

 

[Cask]

Good points I better check that those adapters will actually work probably with the device before I expunge my wad. Thanks for replies I'll report back later.

 

[Ch3tan]

Comet and the like do basic laptops from £370ish. My sister has a Fujitsu Siemens one that is perfect for everything but gaming, and it comes with wifi.

 

[Cask]

To be honest I first thought "Comet, no way" but you're right Ch3t they had some pretty good deals on there. Just bought this one listed on the comet front page which had everything I wanted (widescreen, 512 ram, wlan) except battery life but the turions and pentium-m's were a bit out of my price range anyway.

Now I get to spend a month dreading what my credit card statement is going to look like. Thanks for the help all.