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

[sofiaviolet]

My sister has a Samsung NC10 that was about $430, and it's her main computer. She seems to like it.

[vixalicious]

I didn't know you had a sister! Thanks for the info, I'll check Samsung out as well.