need a cheap, mobile laptop

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>My parents don't want to buy me a laptop because our family is in a financial clot. I'd get the money to buy it myself, but there was a complicated situation with my international status that only recently allowed me to work on campus. I can make the money eventually, but I need a laptop NOW. It would make writing com sci assignments so much easier. And it'll be very convenient to have a laptop so that I can fiddle around with Eclipse whenever possible so that I become a more experienced program writer. Right now, that's just not possible.</p>

<p>I've looked on craigslist, ebay etc. and I haven't found anything good yet. I need a cheap, mobile laptop with long battery life. I don't need a powerful laptop, I just need one with a decent processor that would allow me to work efficiently. And I don't mind it if I have to downgrade to W XP.</p>

<p>Can someone suggest models I can look into?</p>

2

<p>How cheap are we talking about? What price range works for you?</p>

3

<p><$300</p>

<p>I was thinking netbook, but I also want something that will last me through college.</p>

4

<p>A netbook will run excel/word/powerpoint/etc, and I’m pretty sure it’d run Eclipse just fine. I have a $350 MSI netbook that’ll run Civilization IV (not particularly well, but it runs.) Just make sure you get one with XP.</p>

5

<p>I would recommend keeping your eye open for sales at Best Buy/Office Dept/any other stores in your are that sell laptops. If budget is your main concern don’t look for any particular specs just see what you can find that is in your price range.</p>

6

<p>If you’re looking to buy used, PM me and I’ll send you some links. I’m active across four different computer forums and I usually can find some pretty good deals.</p>

<p>Again, these laptops are usually used, but they’re well taken care of.</p>

7

<p>I found a person offering to sell me this [laptop](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-L305-S5921-Widescreen-TruBrite/dp/B001OAQYNW”>http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-L305-S5921-Widescreen-TruBrite/dp/B001OAQYNW&lt;/a&gt;) for $275. It seems like a good deal, but it’s big and has a short battery life, contrary to what I’m looking for. I am on a budget, and I don’t want to pass up any good deals. So is this a good deal?</p>

8

<p>It’s a great deal for a laptop, but I’d give that an estimated 2.5 hours battery life, so you’re most likely going to have to bring a charger to class (my school provides us with AC outlets in lecture halls and discussion classrooms). It’s also a tad bit more heavy than I’m used to.</p>

<p>If you want something that works, I’d jump on that laptop. If you want mobility, I’d consider spending more money or invest in a netbook.</p>