I get by with a little help from my friends...

[vixalicious]

So I'm considering breaking down and buying a laptop for personal use, mostly because I'm about to break my third laptop in a year and work may start getting annoyed with me soon. Believe it or not, I don't actually know that much about computers - I haven't bought one since 1998. I've always used what the company gave me. I've only ever bought Compaq's, and I was happy enough with them, but they are more expensive.

I don't want to spend much more than $400. I need it to surf the internet, download music/manage iTunes (all music stored on external hard drive), write, IM, & minor photo editing (mostly in the 'rotate and lighten' arenas).

Does anyone know about Acer? ASUS? eMachines? Velocity?

Anyone familiar with Frys: Have you ever bought anything refurbished, and how did that work out?

Those of you with the mini-laptops - do you like them? will they do all the things I want to?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[marny-h96.livejournal.com]

I've upgraded the "baby notebook" to an Asus EEE PC 1000H and I'm quit4e happy with it. The battery lasts for up to 7 hours (depending on the configuration). So far (without said configuration), it lasts 4 hours.

And I'd be more than happy to give you my used (hardly ever) Toshiba laptop if only I knew how to get it to you without paying a horrendous amout of money :-(

[vixalicious]

Aw, thanks for the offer! Shipping would be horrendous on that though. Maybe if I haven't sorted myself out by D*Con? :)

I'll check out that Asus model, thanks!

[marny-h96.livejournal.com]

Let me know before August 29th and I'll be happy to bring the Toshiba with me :D

[vixalicious]

You rock!

[vixalicious]

Hey, how much do you want for it? I forgot to ask. :)