I ain't a lounge lizard, but I need help! Laptop advise from the experts!

[angstlessk]

I am looking at laptops since they have come down in price so much. Which is the best for the buck? I do youtube but not TeeVee on my computer. I am not a music lover so will not require a fantastic mp3 sort of thingy...Mostly visitin DU and watching videos from here.

Any advise would be great!

Also, what do you think about 'refurbished'..Overstock.com has one I am looking at, but am not sure if saving $300.00 is worth it?

Thanks in advance!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. I recommend the MacBook.

They're the new version of the iBook, which are great little machines. Now you can even run windows on them, although I don't know why anyone would want to.

They're tough and can handle anything you'll want to do with it. Apple also provides the same warranty (including the optional extended Apple Care) to their refurbished models as they do their new ones.

[angstlessk]

5. Thanks, I REALLY want a Mac..and I may purchace one if I get some

savings again...but all my accounting software is for a PC and that is the MOST important...so maybe next time!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. You can have the best of both worlds.

The new macs run Windows natively. Put windows on the machine and yuo can still run all your PC accounting software on it.

[babylonsister]

2. FYI: There's a DU Computer Help and Support Group here

if you're looking for additional suggestions.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

[LSK]

3. you are safe to buy refurbished laptops

I have always had used Thinkpads. They are a good bargain. You can also buy them directly from IBM.com.

[angstlessk]

6. Thanks, I just bought the IBM Thinkpad R50e for 699...the cheapest

I have have seen it even for refurbished, and Overstock.com seems more reliable than some podunk seller who has it for 899 refurbished. Thanks for the courage to click the 'purchase'button! Right now I have two Dells with 256mg memory...the ThinkPad has 512 so i have doubled my memory for 1/2 of what I paid for ONE Dell and it is a LAPTOP!

[Bossy Monkey]

4. I've bought a couple of refurbished Vaios through uBid--

one desktop, one laptop-- and have been very pleased with both. The only disadvantage to a laptop that I have found is that the video card is usually insufficient for the latest/ most advanced games; from what you say, I infer that this is not going to be a problem for you.

Don't have any experience with Overstock.com, but in my experience refurbished laptops are fine; the question is more whether you're really getting a $300 discount. More on edit.

Edit: Here's my similar thread when I bought this one: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=4679614
On it, MrsGrumpy notes that she got a similar price on a new one from a store (or site; I don't think she specified) called Micro Center. Just a thought.