Is it worth the money?

Question

I've had my present pc for 51/2 years. Now, i think it's time for it to go to pc heaven cuz it continues to give me all sorts of problems (it HAS to be very infected). So, I'm thinking of getting a laptop because i move around a lot. I'm on a real tight budget, so I don't wanna spend more than $550. A family friend owns a business where he gets off-lease Dell laptops and other stuff. I can get a Dell C600 for $500. Briefly, specs are P4, Centrino, 512MB, 2.0GHz, 40Gig, DVD/CDr/w Combo, WiFi, with Windows XP (i think that's it). Now, all i really need it for is primarily Internet surfing and viewing some pics(i've learned to save most of my pics on CD's), and storing and downloading some music. I'm comfortable buying from him cuz if anything goes wrong, he fixes it or provides tech support. I know there are really stylish laptops out there, but i don't have the money for those. Is this laptop deal bad, or is it worth it?

Wow, you all are so helpful! I know 5 .5 years is a long time! And i must've moved 6 times since then with the pc! lol! Okay so, i know the laptop comes with an ...ethernet card? Is this laptop THAT bulky, like embarassingly so?

Okay, so i checked a couple of the specs on my current pc (5.5years old): 127 MB, Celeron, 14.2GB, Windows ME. Whoa. And it wouldn't be that bad if it didn't keep freezing, and tripping out! I'm surprised i can even type this paragraph with it saying "Explorer (or some other weird thing) has caused an error and will now close". By the way, i'm in Toronto, Canada, so i don't know if that helps to determine if it's a good price.

Answer 1

I think that is a pretty good price for the specs you give. If you go over to http://www.24houredeals.com/Dell-coupons-23-mer.html and check if there are any coupons to make that a better deal.

Good luck.

Answer 2

LOL don't be ashamed. I have the exact same situation as yours. My destop is like at least 6 years old (Pentium 3, 32mb ram, 30GB hard desk). It's still working fine but it's kinda slow and can't run more than 3 programs at the same time (out of memory). About a week ago I placed an order from Dell. Well, I got some money from insurance (it's a long story) so I can afford to get a better one. I ended up buying one that cost $2100 with taxes. It's a Dual Core two 2GHz, 2GB ram, 160 GB hard drive and NVIDIA 7900 GS. I haven't got the laptop yet it's still on shippment. I guess it's a big upgrade from the crappy desktop that I'm using. I did quite a lot of research before buying my first laptop. If you are just using your laptop for internet surfing and picture viewing, I think it's enough. The hard disk size is kinda small, but you said you saved your pics on CD roms so I guess it's ok. I think $500 is a bit high for your laptop, esepically it's an off-lease. You might want to try eBay. For $500, you should be able to get a second hand one with better specs. =)

Answer 3

i'd check out tigerdirect.com or there affiliate if you live in florida
www.globalcomputer.com (to pay no sales tax)

Normally cheap Dell's need an upgrade the very next day cause they can't handle the added workload the users really want.
If you looking for something cheap go to the websites above and check out emachines brandname you can get a much faster computer for under $500 bucks...it will be a good cheap way to get up to date.
Just remember you get what you pay for, so look for something that suites your needs.
I'd say a laptop is for someone on the go,busy,busy, doing business etc other wise if you dont need to incurr this expence, get a new desktop and forget about what people say ,cause the technology changes daily and follow you own mind.
The basic PC today needs
Processor 2.0 Ghz or greater(personally I prefer Athlon 64 over intel
Windows XP home edition( i wont jump on the vista band wagon just yet, wait at least a year till they get the bugs out)
Memory 1 gig (enough to do the basics, plus more for if say you want to run a game or 2 )
Get a DVDRW(they burn CD's , burns DVD's and playback DVD's and CD's)
IDE Harddrive 40-80 gigs( forget the SATA harddrives they "suppose" to be faster be a couple microseconds...things will always get faster, ide drives are actually very cheap now you can probably get 120 gig standard on most systems even cheap ones today.)

EDIT: www.tigerdirect.com has a canada branch go to the home page scroll down and click the canada link

Answer 4

If you have had the same PC for 5 and 1/2 years, you probably do not use a computer enough to need an awesome, expensive computer. A light laptop is nice, but you probably don't move around so much (again the 5.5 number), the older Dells are sometimes heavier. It sounds as if it has what you need though. You could definitely check www.tigerdirect.com for prices on cheap laptops and compare. It seems nowadays software for the computer costs as much as the computer itself. Last, Duo Core processors are the way to go. Your cheaper computer probably does not have that.

Answer 5

Dell Latitude is a decent computer. Latitudes are not easily upgradable though. Some C600 did not come with on board NICs. You had to use a mini-pci adapter slot for your network connection. It may not come with a wireless card either--Wifi capable is different than Wifi ready. Make sure that you get the hardware with it that you need to do Internet surfing. It would cost a lot to upgrade to achieve this.

Answer 6

The specs sound good for the money. The biggest problem you may have is the battery. Ask your friend to test the battery to ensure it will still hold a full charge and last at least forty minutes. Maybe you go get him to give you an extra battery for the fifty dollars left in your budget.

Also, check the screen for dead pixels.

Answer 7

For what you are looking to do. I would additionaly invest in a extra battery as the laptop batteries tend to crap out on you after so many uses.

Congrats on keeping a PC for 51/2 years thats a record among most people I know

Answer 8

That's a decent deal. As long as you aren't playing any high end games, that should last you a while. It would be nice to have some more memory in there but everything else is "par".

Pricewatch.com is a good site for pricing items and that is on par with what they are selling. Plus you don't have to worry about shipping and dealing with some random web company.

Answer 9

I really don't think that's a too long time, it's long but not too long. That deal is really good because you can get support from your cousin. It's aslo really cheap. But before you accept go to auctions and look really hard. Maybe you'll find a better deal. But only give it 1 week. If the cheaper laptop doesn't pop up then get one from your cousinfs.

Answer 10

Pocketing 3000 each and every week? What r u, a freaking drug broker? Holy cripe! With that kind of money, i might say get a sparkling vehicle. yet in spite of if I had that money, I haven't any ought to 'carry collectively' issues, even vehicles. I observed overhaul it and characteristic some exciting with it. upload in a supercharger, etc,