Need advice on getting a laptop/notebook!?

Question

Hello, im a student and need a laptop for school with powerpoint, word, excel, etc. I also want wifi, a dvd burner and dvd player but I need help! OK question 1
1) Has anyone ever baught computers off ebay? I was thinking about it, are there questions I should ask buyers before I bid?
2) Whats the max price I should pay vs Minimum because I need one near 200-500.
3) What is a good brand that will last long?
4) I absolutely HATE those keyboards that are so thin. I was testing some out today and nothing made sense on what I was typing. I need a kepboard thats kinda deep so I can type profeciently.
Any advice?

Answer 1

I would personally say that regardless of how good the condition the seller claims the computer to be, you have to keep in mind that he/she wants to seel it, so you can't be too sure of the integrity of the computer. Use E-Bay as a last resort.

If you wanta laptop in the price range of 200-500, you have a few options. Toshiba has a line of lap-tops that is just above 500(about 550). Dell always has competative prices and a great warranty plan, but lacks a bit on the performance side. For a $500 dell laptop, you'll probably get a 15" display, maybe 256, or 512MB of RAM, a DVD player, but not a burner(can be upgraded to a DVD player with integrated DVD burner for fee), 40-60GB harddrive. There may be other companies out there selling off 2006 model laptops for quite cheap because newer models will be arriving for 2007. If you want a laptop that will handle a DVD player and burner, and i'm guessing maybe a music player of some kind(iTunes), you're looking to spend somewhere closer to $700.

A good brand that will last long is HP/Compaq, Acer, Fujitsu

Laptops are so called "space-savers" so it will be a bit hard to a find a keyboard that will mimick a full size keyboard. I think the part that makes the laptop keyboard to difficult to type os the fact that it is flusk, or flat, with the surface on which the laptop is resting. also, the keys are skewed ever so slightly.

hope this helps

Answer 2

1) i havent but i have had friends who have bought computer stuff of ebay and never had any problems
2) the max price is down to you, but u will not get a decent laptop for less that $500 that has a dvd burner.
3) brand should be acer/hp/dell/ibm are all the well known brands.
4) before buying goto a computer shop that sells them so u will be able to press the keyboards to see what u like.
hope this helps.

Answer 3

Your price range is very low so consider a refurbished computer from dell. They have a section when you visit the website. Don't trust ebay with such a major purchase because there is no way to verify quality and prior damage. Dell does not have thin keyboards, so you're good to go.

Answer 4

!. no because of identity theft i dodnt buy anything online
2.for a good laptop min. 500-max. 2500
3. i luv macs!!! to get the microsoft things u want its $150 extra but its worth the investment
4.if u REALLY REALLY REALLY HATE THEM then get the ,ac powerbook, it has deep keys, but getting the thinner 1s r supposed to gain speed in typing, ur supposed to get used to it. mac books have thin-med keys

Answer 5

e-bay