Need laptop recommendation please

[toddreg]

A guy who works for me needs to get his daughter a computer for college in a few weeks. His budget is around $500. What is the most bang he can get for his buck in a 15.6 model, Windows 7 and that will last the full 4 years.

I don't know a lot about the different processors in the mobile world and am just trying to help a hardworking guy out who's daughter is lucky to even be able to go to college. But, she studied hard and got herself a scholarship.

[underclocker]

Since this is a ThinkPad forum, I'll recommend two options, 1) the Lenovo Outlet reguarly sells excellent items in that price range, including R500 and T500 machines, and 2) I am selling a near new T500 in the forum marketplace that has a very fast processor and other high end features in that price range, here's the ad --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=87990

Note: R500's and T500's are 15.4" widescreen models.

[pianowizard]

It's not clear from your post whether it's your friend or his daughter who chose to get a 15.6" machine. Before we proceed any further, please make sure his daughter is willing to lug around such a heavy laptop. The typical 15.6" laptop in this price range weighs around 6 lb or more, and the AC adapter adds almost another pound to that. When I look around at college students, my impression is that female students tend to prefer smaller and lighter laptops that male students, which is why I asked the above question.

If she is indeed interested in a 15.6" laptop, my follow-up questions would be:

1) Would 15.4" be okay as well? 15.6" has a 16:9 aspect ratio whereas 15.4" is 16:10, so the former is wider (13.6") and shorter (7.65") and has a slightly smaller surface area (103.96 sq. inches) than the latter (13.06" wide, 8.16" tall, 106.59 sq. inches).

2) Does it have to be a Thinkpad?

3) Does it have to be brand new, or would used be okay?

[toddreg]

It is for the daughter and 15.4 would be acceptable I believe. It doesn't have to be a Thinkpad but they want a reputable, durable one to tote around at school.

I am not sure if used would be acceptable or not but if a warranty was still valid or could be purchased, if the price were right I would think this would be something to definitely consider. Thank you for your help.

[thePCxp]

If you want a reputable, durable computer, you came to the right place. A ThinkPad would be perfect (and I think that an IdeaPad would be good too) for the daughter.

I think that just as long as its in good, working condition, used would be acceptable (I got my T60 used back in February. It's in good condition and it works great).

[pianowizard]

It is for the daughter

Sorry for being unclear, but I was asking whether your friend chose that size for her, or she chose it for herself. I just wanted to make sure she realizes that 6 to 7 pounds (including the AC adapter) is quite heavy to lug around everyday, even for some "muscle men". If she was using it mainly on a desk at home and carried it only occasionally, then she probably wouldn't mind, but you explicitly said she would be toting it around a lot.

So, please first make sure it is HER OWN choice, not what her dad thinks is best for her. When I bought my first laptop, all I cared about was getting the most bang for my buck (just like your friend is doing) and had no idea weight was such an important factor. That laptop turned out to be a big pain to carry, forcing me to buy a second laptop within a month. In effect, I wasted $1,700.

[Eudoxus]

Pianowizard has a point here. I used to have a ThinkPad R61 with 15.6 widescreen. And I must admit that each time I carried it to my job I had misgivings about my choice as it made my bag too heavy to be comfortable co carry around. After some time I sold my R61 and bought a X61s for that and T500 for using home on my desk.
So I would advice you to consider X200 or X61(s) (if your budget is limited) as it will be more comfortable to to carry to a university.
Just my 2 cents.