Laptop Advise

[Breck Fontaine]

Hello,

My neice is in grade school and wants a laptop to fool around
with (browsing the internet, and email ect...). I am looking at a
refurbished Dell Latitude C600 with a 1ghz CPU, 256mb ram, windows
2000, and a 20gig hard drive. Does this sound like a good option? I
can't find out what type of graphic card it has. I don't know much
about laptops. Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[paulmd]

Hello,

My neice is in grade school and wants a laptop to fool around
with (browsing the internet, and email ect...). I am looking at a
refurbished Dell Latitude C600 with a 1ghz CPU, 256mb ram, windows
2000, and a 20gig hard drive. Does this sound like a good option? I
can't find out what type of graphic card it has. I don't know much
about laptops. Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Thank you!

That's a fine system for what you're gonna use it for.

 

[Darklight]

That's a fine system for what you're gonna use it for.

whats the price of it?

 

[Mike Walsh]

Win2k on a laptop PC is good for internet, MS Office, etc., but is not good for games because Win2k was designed for business, not gaming, and it is rare for a laptop PC to have a good 3D graphics card.

 

[Breck Fontaine]

Thanks for the advice. The price is $225.00 to $240.00, plus shipping.

 

[Darklight]

Thanks for the advice. The price is $225.00 to $240.00, plus shipping.

I would be careful about buying some thing online but for that price not bad
it would have been better if you could test the laptop but in the end it's
your choice and your risk. Are you able to send it back if some thing goes
wrong?

 

[kony]

Win2k on a laptop PC is good for internet, MS Office, etc.,
but is not good for games because Win2k was designed
for business, not gaming,

Depends on the games. I've played quite a few of the more
popular games on a Win2k box.

Older games might be a problem, those best suited to Win9x,
but we can't know about a given title. In general modern
games meant for XP do run on 2K fine.

 

[Breck Fontaine]

To Darklight,

There is a 30 day warranty on the laptop. It is hard to buy something
local. My only other option is to buy from a online source. The prices
are or seem to be better (online). But your correct about the risk
factor. I can't find a local seller or computer shop with this item I
am looking for. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[paulmd]

To Darklight,

There is a 30 day warranty on the laptop. It is hard to buy something
local. My only other option is to buy from a online source. The prices
are or seem to be better (online). But your correct about the risk
factor. I can't find a local seller or computer shop with this item I
am looking for. Thanks for everyone's help.

Don't forget shipping when comparing online price vs store price. It's
hard to find used laptops in the upper p3 class, that work. People
retian laptops longer than desktops for 2 reasons: the initial cost,
and since laptops aren't generally gaming machines, they still
continue to suit their purpose longer. Hence the high price on the
machine you're looking at. And the seller CAN get that price, too.
Much more, too. Not finding a local seller on that item is no surprise,
either.

If trust is an issue, there are factory refurbs. For example:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

 

[Rod Speed]

Don't forget shipping when comparing online price vs store price. It's
hard to find used laptops in the upper p3 class, that work. People
retian laptops longer than desktops

That is VERY arguable.

for 2 reasons: the initial cost, and since laptops aren't generally
gaming machines, they still continue to suit their purpose longer.

In reality plenty of laptops are discarded because the battery
no long has a decent storage capacity and a replacement can
be cheaper than replacing just the battery.

Hence the high price on the machine you're looking at.
And the seller CAN get that price, too. Much more, too.
Not finding a local seller on that item is no surprise, either.

 

[kony]

That is VERY arguable.


In reality plenty of laptops are discarded because the battery
no long has a decent storage capacity and a replacement can
be cheaper than replacing just the battery.

That is VERY arguable, but the sentiment is partially true.
It's usually far cheaper to buy a new battery BUT the
battery is expensive enough to make people think about just
replacing whole laptop at that point.

 

[Rod Speed]

That is VERY arguable, but the sentiment is partially true.
It's usually far cheaper to buy a new battery

Not necessarily, particularly with the low end laptops and
those who prefer to only use the manufacturer's batterys.

BUT the battery is expensive enough to make people
think about just replacing whole laptop at that point.

Which is what I said in different words.

 

[kony]

Not necessarily, particularly with the low end laptops and
those who prefer to only use the manufacturer's batterys.

Oh?

Supposing a low end laptop, do you know of any costing under
$250 unless it's one of those special 3rd world
laptops-for-kids projects?

I think not, but that those "manufacturer's batteries" are
well under $250, usually closer to $100 unless you want the
higher capacity upgrade pack, which is as much upgrading the
battery as replacing it, so we can ignore the additional
cost over the regular battery.

Which is what I said in different words.

Not quite, you imply the battery costs a lot more than it
usually does. Out of curiosity I just went to Dell's site
and looked up the battery for a laptop that may need a
replacement soon, a Dell Inspiron 8100 battery is $124.
While that is steep enough I'd be tempted to find a good
aftermarket battery instead (which IIRC, ran about $60-80),
I'd more likely buy the battery and a large/fast new HDD
than replace the whole thing as for some uses the HDD is the
biggest bottleneck... and of course because it still runs
ok.

 

[paulmd]

That is VERY arguable.


In reality plenty of laptops are discarded because the battery
no long has a decent storage capacity and a replacement can
be cheaper than replacing just the battery.

What often happens, is they continue to run the laptop on AC power, and
never replace the battery. The less money they have, the more likely
this is to happen.

 

[Rod Speed]

Oh?

Fraid so.

Supposing a low end laptop, do you know of any costing under $250
unless it's one of those special 3rd world laptops-for-kids projects?

Doesnt have to be that low if the buyer insists on the
replacement battery from the manufacturer of that laptop.

I think not,

You did manage to get that bit right.

but that those "manufacturer's batteries" are well under $250,

And even with those, those new low end laptop
has to be a lot lower than that to be 'far under'

usually closer to $100 unless you
want the higher capacity upgrade pack,

Or if thats what it always had and you want another of those.

which is as much upgrading the battery as replacing it,

Not when its one of those that has worn out.

so we can ignore the additional cost over the regular battery.

Not if it isnt the regular battery that has worn out.

Not quite,

Fraid so.

you imply the battery costs a lot more than it usually does.

Like hell I ever did. All I implied is that while ever the replacement
battery from the laptop manufacturer is only say half the cost of
the replacement low end laptop, most have enough of a clue to
go for the laptop with the inevitably considerably better specs
than the one that the battery wore out in.

Out of curiosity I just went to Dell's site and looked up the battery for a
laptop that may need a replacement soon, a Dell Inspiron 8100 battery is $124.

The technical term for that is 'pathetically inadequate sample'

While that is steep enough I'd be tempted to find a good
aftermarket battery instead (which IIRC, ran about $60-80),

Irrelevant to those who will only use the manufacturer's batterys.

I'd more likely buy the battery and a large/fast new HDD
than replace the whole thing as for some uses the HDD is the
biggest bottleneck... and of course because it still runs ok.

And plenty have enough of a clue to get a whole new laptop
with much better specs than the one its replacing, when the
whole new laptop is only say twice the price of the new battery.

Yes, that isnt necessarily the cheapest approach, but we werent
discussing that, we were discussing what most users actually do.

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

Rod Speed wrote

What often happens, is they continue to run the
laptop on AC power, and never replace the battery.

Not even possible if there isnt any mains power available.

The less money they have, the more likely this is to happen.

Irrelevant to what the majority do.

The reality is that low end laptops particularly are now so
cheap that few bother to fart around once the battery will
no longer run it for an adequate time and just replace it.

 

[paulmd]

(e-mail address removed) wrote


Not even possible if there isnt any mains power available.

You *can* run a laptop sans battery. As long as there's external juice,
it works just fine.

Irrelevant to what the majority do.

The majorty of used laptops that come my way are very old indeed. Maybe
the people in your town have more money.

The reality is that low end laptops particularly are now so
cheap that few bother to fart around once the battery will
no longer run it for an adequate time and just replace it.

Cheap is relative. The dirt cheapest Dell will STILL run $450, not
counting shipping. Toshiba won't talk to you for less that $550. Where
I come from, that's still a big hunk of cash. The machines that go at
these prices are decidedly short on RAM. Only 256MB.

Right now, what i see people giving up, (as coming in through my door)
are Pentium 2 and older for laptop (that still works). And most of the
p3s and newer need some form of repair before I'd dare to resell them.

For desktops, It's mostly p3s that still work, and the p4s that have
to be fixed.

 

[kony]

On Tue, 8 Aug 2006 13:23:00 +1000, "Rod Speed"

Like hell I ever did. All I implied is that while ever the replacement
battery from the laptop manufacturer is only say half the cost of
the replacement low end laptop, most have enough of a clue to
go for the laptop with the inevitably considerably better specs
than the one that the battery wore out in.

Well we could "say half the cost", but it isn't really. I
was being overly generous with the $250, in actuality most
low-end laptops are nearer $400 if not slightly higher (else
you end up buying more memory at least, so there's still
slight addt'l cost).

So "IF" the user insists on the manufacturer battery, and
"IF" the manufacturer battery is unusually high priced, say
$160, then whole new laptop still cost 250% as much.

Now back towards reality, batteries are available for half
that, we don't have to go lower, skimming the bottom of the
barrel and risk a shady manufacturer.

The technical term for that is 'pathetically inadequate sample'

Or "real world example", "highly applicable since I have the
old beast". Would you care to go to Dell's site and enter a
different model #? I'll do it for you.........

We did an Inspiron, now a Latitude or two,

100L - $107
C500 - $125

How about a Precision M90? $135

Toshiba's prices look a little higher, average around $150
BUT that's still below the $160 I'd mentioned above.

Irrelevant to those who will only use the manufacturer's batterys.

Relevant if they find the source of the manufacturer's
battery and cut out the middleman.

And plenty have enough of a clue to get a whole new laptop
with much better specs than the one its replacing, when the
whole new laptop is only say twice the price of the new battery.

If they need better specs, sure. That was obvious, and it's
not something someone would typically wait on to get the
last drops of juice out of their old battery.... and of
course, it is't ever "say twice the price" in reality.

Yes, that isnt necessarily the cheapest approach, but we werent
discussing that, we were discussing what most users actually do.

Yes, most users won't replace a working few years old laptop
(can't be TOO old, else the battery would've already been
too low remaining capacity to use before then) with one at
the absolute lowest end to try to reach that $400, not $250,
price-point.

How can we know? Where are all these laptops for sale?
There are some, but certainly not anywhere near the volume
being sold and we cannot assume they all broke and are thus
unsellable.

 

[Rod Speed]

Well we could "say half the cost", but it isn't really.

There is no nice tidy percentage.

I was being overly generous with the $250, in actuality most low-end
laptops are nearer $400 if not slightly higher (else you end up buying
more memory at least, so there's still slight addt'l cost).

Not necessarily, depends on what you do with it. I chose to
leave it at the standard memory because that was all that it
needs for what I do on it and I prefer the longer time on battery.

So "IF" the user insists on the manufacturer battery, and
"IF" the manufacturer battery is unusually high priced, say
$160, then whole new laptop still cost 250% as much.

And plenty will pay that when the new laptop will inevitably
have considerably better specs than the one it replaces.

Now back towards reality, batteries are available for half that,

Plenty dont bother with other than the manufacturer's batterys.
Particularly when Li ion batterys are a significant fire risk, to
say nothing of what they can do to your lap if they catch fire.

we don't have to go lower, skimming the bottom
of the barrel and risk a shady manufacturer.

Sure, but plenty arent prepare to use other than the manufacturer's batterys.

Or "real world example", "highly applicable since I
have the old beast". Would you care to go to Dell's
site and enter a different model #? I'll do it for you.........

We did an Inspiron, now a Latitude or two,

100L - $107
C500 - $125

How about a Precision M90? $135

Still a pathetically inadequate sample and you are
dishonestly ignoring the high capacity batterys too.

Toshiba's prices look a little higher, average around $150
BUT that's still below the $160 I'd mentioned above.

And plenty will go for the new laptop and
the inevitably higher specs at those prices.

Relevant if they find the source of the manufacturer's
battery and cut out the middleman.

Not feasible for most to do and most dont even try.

What was being discussed is how long people
keep machines for, not what they can do instead.

If they need better specs, sure.

Few dont with laptops as even just the hard drive speed is
noticeably better than it was when they bought the first one.

That was obvious, and it's not something someone would typically
wait on to get the last drops of juice out of their old battery....
and of course, it is't ever "say twice the price" in reality.

It can be.

Yes, most users won't replace a working few years old laptop
(can't be TOO old, else the battery would've already been too low
remaining capacity to use before then) with one at the absolute
lowest end to try to reach that $400, not $250, price-point.

Plenty do now that the low end laptops are perfectly adequate for most use.

How can we know? Where are all these laptops for sale?

Everywhere, including Walmart and Aldi type operations.

There are some, but certainly not anywhere near the volume being
sold and we cannot assume they all broke and are thus unsellable.

Thats just the price you have plucked out of your arse.

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

Rod Speed wrote

You *can* run a laptop sans battery. As
long as there's external juice, it works just fine.

Not if there isnt any mains power available.

The majorty of used laptops that come my way are very old indeed.

You need to get out more, most obviously
with ex lease laptops and those sold on ebay.

Maybe the people in your town have more money.
Nope.

Cheap is relative. The dirt cheapest Dell will STILL run $450, not
counting shipping. Toshiba won't talk to you for less that $550.

There's plenty of those for lower than that with the best prices available.

Where I come from, that's still a big hunk of cash.

It isnt for the bulk of most modern first world countrys.

The machines that go at these prices
are decidedly short on RAM. Only 256MB.

Thats fine for what plenty do on their laptops.

Right now, what i see people giving up, (as coming in through my door)
are Pentium 2 and older for laptop (that still works). And most of the
p3s and newer need some form of repair before I'd dare to resell them.

Which is why most dont just replace the battery.

For desktops, It's mostly p3s that still work, and the p4s that have to be fixed.

Its a tiny subset of what is in use out there.