[GLLUG] Cheap Laptops

[Lachniet, Mark]

Also, check www.xpbargains.com - there are some swinging laptop deals if
you can bide your time.  I just saw a new P4-3.0ghz laptop going for <
$700.   For that kind of money, you can afford to monkey around with
Linux drivers :)

Mark Lachniet

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 12:00:14 -0400
> From: Brian Hoort <hoortbri at msu.edu>
> Subject: Re: [GLLUG] New notebook purchase advice: Summary
> To: linux-user at egr.msu.edu (GLLUG Post)
> Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.2.20041025090902.01ec4348 at mail.msu.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
> 
> I'm posting a follow-up to my request for laptop purchasing 
> advice.  As normal, the situation has changed.  I fixed my 
> laptop.  :)  So I can't justify buying a new one :(
> 
> The fix
> I took the laptop apart completely, and when I pulled the 
> motherboard from the last bottom piece and flipped it over, I 
> discovered that there was one of those "oops, the board 
> schematic was wrong" wires soldered on a chip pin and wrapped 
> around the other side.  The solder had broken loose from the 
> pin.  I soldered it back on and now it works.
> 
> However, I did some research on laptops, and I'll share some 
> of my thoughts, here.  Laptops are such a personal decision.  
> I find it difficult enough to decide myself, let alone 
> generalize for others.  There were sites that sell used 
> laptops from companies for $400-800.  But the warranty is 
> practically non-existant, and you get a pretty damn old 
> machine for the $600 (average).  You can buy a brand new Dell 
> for $800-1200 with a rock-solid warranty and support.
> 
> The linux-specific laptop manufacturers tend to lean toward 
> the larger, "desktop-replacement" notebooks.  This isn't 
> really what I want, and I didn't see any that got me hot and bothered.
> 
> There is a low-cost manufacturer that won an award in PC 
> Magazine.  They target students as their audience, and I must 
> say, just looking at the web site, I'm very impressed.  I 
> recommend you check out their stuff.  I particularly like this model:
> http://averatec.com/notebooks/3200series.htm
> The warranty is a little skimpy at one year, and I didn't see 
> anything offering to buy up another year or two.  Despite 
> having Windows, I think this was my second choice, and would 
> probably win out due to price ($1000).
> 
> I'm in love with this, as my first choice, but doubt that 
> Linux would work easily on it, plus it's $1500, (but a 
> bargain at that price!):
> http://usa.asus.com/products/notebook/s5series/s5200n/s5200n_o
> verview.HTM
> 
> So, that's the news from lake woebegone.
> 
> Brian
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> End of linux-user Digest, Vol 18, Issue 21
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>