Best Laptop Under $750

[Pethegreat]

I may be looking for a laptop computer for college. Right now I have about $750 to spend on one, but I can gather more money if the jump in performance is worth it.

I have looked at ASUS's eeePC. They are sweet, but with only 8gb of storage and integrated video this may not be the best thing If I need to run a program that needs 3d acceleration.

I have only used a laptop a few times, so I can't say I am as good with them as I am desktops. This is why I am asking for some advice.

[DeadSuperHero]

Dells with Ubuntu are pretty good...
I'd recommend a Toughbook or Lenovo, but I'm not entirely sure what either of those are priced at...

[Peyton]

Dells with Ubuntu are pretty good...
I'd recommend a Toughbook or Lenovo, but I'm not entirely sure what either of those are priced at...

Toughbooks are pretty expensive, I believe.

[stmiller]

Thinkpads are nice and most are Linux friendly.

[p_quarles]

Well, if you don't mind the size of the Eee, but just don't like the storage capacity, you might be interested in this:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9057441

Not out till the end of the month, but it's well under your price cap and it's got a 30 GB HDD.

[Linuxratty]

A friend of mine is getting a Linux laptop from here:

http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html

[dustigroove]

The starting price on the Dell 1420N is $794 and there is currently some coupons that will help with the price if you set it up for $899 or more. So get an $899+ machine for $699+ ... not too shabby.

As a matter of fact I took them up on the offer myself. Should arrive tomorrow or Monday.

[Linuxratty]

yes,the Dells do look mighty nice.

[Pethegreat]

Well, if you don't mind the size of the Eee, but just don't like the storage capacity, you might be interested in this:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/...icleId=9057441

Not out till the end of the month, but it's well under your price cap and it's got a 30 GB HDD.

It still lacks a video card that I want.

I would also like to have XP on it. I would never use it unless I need it for some programs where Wine won't work. I am open to getting something with vista, wiping that, and putting XP on. I could get credit for my unused copy of Vista.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115410

I now this is at my price limit of $1000, but it has what i want. Has anyone used an Acer laptop?

[sloggerkhan]

I have an acer Ferrari 4005 that I got a couple (maybe near 3?) years ago from an online discount retailer and its served well. Been a great machine for me, though I do hate the car branding.

I guess with the video card, IMO an 8400 M isn't really a serious 3-D card, if you just want movies, compiz-fusion, it's probably fine, but don't expect to play ET: quake wars.

My only thought is that 17" laptops aren't very portable and the battery life sucks, but I don't really have too good an idea what you want.

Another thing to consider is that once you hit that 1000-1200 range, you could get a cheap laptop (such as that Asus eee pc thing) and a decent desktop (say $550 to build + $200 monitor) and you have spent $1150 and now have portable internet/word processor and more gaming power.

Once again not too sure about what you really want.