I’m a mac guy, but work now requires I get a PC.
The situation:
I might not work there much longer.
I need a wireless laptop.
I will be required to use the 20/20 design program.
I will only use it for work.
I’m not rich.
So basically I’m looking for recomendations for places to buy something that will meet my needs for the lowest price. Online or chain stores (I’m in northern CA) doesn’t matter.
Hoping the Dopers can help me out.
Thanks in advance.
Steven
Not exactly what you asked, but you could dual boot an intel mac…
Fry’s. You could probably get out for less than six bills on a good laptop, and I just scored one hell of a deal on a desktop for 400.00. Fry’s is like crack!
How much computing horsepower does 20/20 need? If it doesn’t need much, getting something used is probably a good idea. You can probably find a few-year-old Pentium M model for between $100 and $200. However, on a laptop that old, the batteries will be almost useless by now. If you can’t be tied to a power socket, you’d need to buy a new battery for something like $50-$100.
An IBM thinkpad could be a good model to buy used. I have no personal experience with them, but they’re renowned for their reliability, durability, and ease of maintenance – all good things for a used and relatively delicate piece of electronics.
Have you tried Freecycle in your city? You can get obsolete, but working computers there. Similarly, check out computer recycling your local phone directory.
I wouldn’t mind having a used one but I nothing really about hardware and I’m afraid I would get screwed. I did find a used thinkpad on Craigslist for $175.
Anyone have any experiences/advice with buying used?
I’ll check out Fry’s.
I got my Thinkpad (used) for $299 in February. So far so good. I got it at Computer Renaissance/Revolution (one or the other…the name changed). Not certain if it is a national chain, but surely there is something comparable in your area.
Or you could always go the pawnshop route…provided little things like “warranties” mean nothing to you.
Check out Retro Box or whatever it is called now. They sell refurbed computers including laptops. The desktops seemed to be reasonably priced and I have heard of one happy customer. I haven’t checked the laptop prices.