[ale] [OT] Screen Size & Resolution - cheap laptops

[Ron Frazier]

To whom it may concern:

The current Best Buy sale flier, good through August 6, 2011, has the 
following laptops:

Gateway - 10.1", 1 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, Intel Atom CPU - $ 200
Acer - 14", 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD, Intel Celeron CPU - $ 280
Toshiba - 15.6", 3 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, AMD E-350 CPU - $ 330
Toshiba - 15.6", 3 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, Intel Core I3 CPU - $ 380

If you want to spend more money, they have those too.  I was at the 
Alpharetta store today.  I think I saw a couple of additional $ 300 ish 
machines.  Seems to be a pretty good time to buy laptops.  Of course, 
they all come with Windows, so I cannot vouch for Linux compatibility.  
I've never had a problem dual booting my Windows machines with Ubuntu, 
other than the touchpad problem I mentioned before.  I think almost all 
these have glossy screens, which I don't really like, but I usually 
don't want spend the $$$ to custom order something.

Sincerely,

Ron

On 8/1/2011 4:04 PM, Ron Frazier wrote:
> David,
>
> I know this is an old message, but I'm trying to catch up.  I didn't see
> your prior thread, but I just thought I'd throw this out for what it's
> worth.  The computer I'm referencing may be too large for you.  I just
> had to replace a Dell Inspiron 1525 because the screen hinges broke.  I
> put Gorilla tape on it and relegated it to desktop duty.  I ended up
> getting an Asus K52F from Best Buy.  It was on sale that day for $380,
> but I got a display model for $300.  I used the savings to buy a 2 year
> extended warranty.  The one I got had never been sold to anyone, so I
> was quite happy with the price.  It comes with Windows 7, but I now have
> it dual booting with Ubuntu 10.04.  It has an Intel Pentium dual core
> CPU @ 2 GHz, 3 GB RAM, and mine had a 500 GB hybrid platter / SSD hard
> drive, and a 15.6" screen (1366 x 768).  Overall, I really like it for
> an inexpensive machine.  I haven't had it long, but I like it so far.
> The keys on the keyboard are a bit chintzy, and are not curved to fit
> your fingers, and the speakers aren't loud enough to play music in a
> noisy room, but those are minor complaints.  I didn't want to pay $500 -
> $600 for a machine when I wasn't originally planning to replace mine at
> all.  One other thing, Linux doesn't understand the touchpad properly.
> It thinks it's a wheel mouse.  It works fine, however, the touchpad
> adjustment screen is not available in the Ubuntu control panel screen.
> Therefore, I cannot turn off "tapping" or change other features which
> are unique to touchpads.  Therefore, I have to guard against my wrist
> touching the pad, otherwise, it thinks I'm clicking the mouse.
>
> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+3GB+Memory+/+320GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown/1257145.p?id=1218243226535&skuId=1257145&st=asus%20k52f&cp=1&lp=1
>
> The link above is what I found at Best Buy today.  They're no longer on
> sale at a discount, the current price is $427 at their outlet.  This one
> has a 300 GB HDD instead of the 500 GB hybrid.  However, if you watch
> the Best Buy sale fliers every weekend, sometimes you can get some good
> deals.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ron
>
> On 7/24/2011 8:25 PM, David Tomaschik wrote:
>    
>> Given the outcome of the previous laptop thread, I've begun to look
>> for laptops I (might) be able to afford.  Can anyone provide some
>> guidance on the following displays:
>>
>> 13.3" 1366x768
>> 14" 1366x768
>> 14" 1600x900
>>
>> Dell refurb laptops (on the Dell outlet) look like a decent price
>> point to start with and I'm comparing the Vostro 3350 (13.3") and the
>> Latitude E5420 (14").  Other differences are about 1.1 lbs in weight
>> and the Vostro has 8 hours battery life (8-cell battery) vs 6 or 9.5
>> hrs on the Latitude (6 or 9 cell battery).
>>
>> Suggestions welcome!
>>
>>
>>      
>    

-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier

770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT c3energy.com