I really don't need a lot, I'm just looking for something that's affordable (around $500) and functional. It would be used mostly for suring the internet, some business stuff, watching movies, and let's be real... porn.

Pretty much all I really need is: built in WiFi, CD/DVD burner, and MS office. Anything else is a bonus. It appears that almost any new laptop comes with Vista which I hear kind of sucks and that I need at least a Dual Core with 1 gig RAM. If anyone has any suggestions, and preferably links, I could use some help. Thanks.

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It was the best of rhymes. It was the worst of rhymes. It was a Nas album.

I saw a sony laptop for 400 bucks going at Best Buy black friday.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f61/djbeecan/laptop.jpg

on the real...u lookin for a lot of features with a rather low budget. first maybe start at the pawn shop. u might lucky enuf to find something. hell ive seen technic 1200's at pawn shops so anything is possible. buy something new but basic. u can add ram and stuff like that later (and usually cheaper than preinstalled). built in wi-fi for a lap is gonna kick that price up...as will a core 2 processor. u might be better off getting a bluetooth adapter for it and just using your cellphone/smartphone as a modem and connect to the internet that way. thats what i do in the airport to get around having to pay the $8 wi-fi fee. granted its a lil slower but its also much cheaper.

>I need at least a Dual Core with 1 gig RAM.

That's just not possible for $500. Even used.

But why do you need a dual core? It doesn't sound as if you'll be doing any processor-intensive tasks, so I just wonder.

--Maurice

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8532885&type=product&id=1186008217237

This particular one is sold out, but I have been keeping my eye open now for a little while and from time to time they do have models with 1Gig Ram and Dual Core for $500. I just wasn't sure if there is a prefered brand or brand to stay away from, or something I should know about why they are so cheap.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=4070&povid=cat3951-env7680-module118544-lLink3

i remembered the story on them releasing affordable laptops so maybe one of these might work for u.

http://tinyurl.com/3aoql5

I saw one that meets your needs for $450 not too long ago. There's one there now for $500, but I don't really know if I'd buy an Acer.

http://dealnews.com/Acer-Aspire-AMD-Dual-Core-1-7-GHz-14-Widescreen-Laptop-for-500-shipped/196109.html

For $50 more you can get a 15 inch Toshiba.

If you can afford to be patient, wait till Black Friday, like these other posters said. The end of each quarter is also a good time to check your local big box stores or check for clearance items on their websites.

Good luck