I want to buy a good laptop that has a lot of good stuff but I can't afford to spend a lot, any suggestions

Question

I need a laptop for school and I only have about $500 dollars, is there one out there that I can get and is Dell the best one?
I could get a part time job if there is a better one, but not to much more. thanks

Answer 1

Micro Center has a day after Christmas special for an Acer Laptop for $299. It is regular $399. If you buy it, upgrade the memory to at least 1GB.

Acer Aspire 4315-2004

* Intel® Celeron® M Processor 530
* 512MB DDR2-667 RAM
* 80GB Hard Drive
* Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive
* Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
* 10/100 Network
* Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wireless Network
* 14.1" WXGA CrystalBrite Display
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

SKU: 945204
Mfr Part #: LX.AKZ0Y.001
UPC: 099802147327

Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
Processor Intel® Celeron® M Processor 530
Processor Speed 1.73GHz
Level 2 Cache 1MB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed 533MHz Frontside Bus
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported 512MB DDR2 RAM (Expandable to 2GB)
Memory Configuration (1) 512MB SO-DIMM Memory Module
Memory Slots Available (1) Available 200-pin SO-DIMM Slot
Hard Drive 80GB 4,200RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
Multimedia Drive Combo 8x DVD-ROM; 24x24x24 CD-RW
Display Type 14.1" Widescreen XGA CrystalBrite Display
Video Card Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Video Chipset
Video Card Memory Up to 358MB of Shared Memory
Internal Max Resolution 2048 x 1536
Sound Card High Definition Audio Chipset
Audio Input Built-In Microphone
Modem/Communications Device 56K V.92 Fax/Modem
Network Features 10/100 Fast Ethernet Network
Wireless Network Features Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wireless Network
Ports and Connectors (1) VGA 15-pin Port; (3) USB 2.0 "A" Ports; (1) RJ-11 Modem Port; (1) RJ-45 Network Port; (1) Microphone Port; (1) Headphone/Audio Line Out Port
Expansion Slots (1) Express Card/54 Slot (supports Express Card/34)
Built-In Devices Speaker, Microphone
Input Devices Keyboard, Touchpad
Action Buttons Empowering Key, Easy-launch button (WLAN)
Included Power Supply 65 Watt AC Adapter
Included Battery 6-Cell Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Average Run Time Up to 2 Hours
Included Software Acer Empowering Technology (Acer eNet, ePower, ePresentation, eLock, eRecovery, eSettings Management), Acer Arcade, Acer Launch Manager, NTI CD-Maker
Dimensions (WxDxH) 13.5" x 9.7" x 1.65"
Weight 5.73 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited Warranty

Answer 2

I like Dell. :-)