Are there any decent laptops under $200?

[FergieTCat]

My mother needs a new laptop, but she doesn't want to spend a lot of money. Also, she doesn't want anything "fancy". She'll even settle for a refurb if it's in good condition.

Any suggestions?

 

[FireDancer]

Tiger Direct often has a lot of refurbs but under $200 will be hard to find in a laptop. You might want to look at netbooks. They will probably do everything she needs but the small keys and screen could be hard for someone who is older especially if she has arthritis.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

$350 is probably more realistic.... and even that is not too likely if new.

$350 for a low end refurb Dell.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnline...x?brandId=2201&c=us&cs=22&fid=2789&l=en&s=dfh


$450 is about where you start seeing new low end laptops.

 

[mamacatnv]

You can pick up a Netbook for under $300

 

[katesorad]

For your older mom, I'd stay away from Dells.. everyone I know (including myself) who had had one, has experienced numerous problems with them. I remember a few years back my brother and I had a contest to see who would have to call tech support more for their computer. I won.

For $200 or so, the best thing to do is look around for a refurbished computer, or purchase a used one through another family member or close friend who is trustworthy that is looking to get a new one.

I spent $800 on mine, with tax, and it's the best computer I've owned. It's a Toshiba. I've had all sorts of laptops, including a Macbook, a Sony Vaio, an Asus, a Dell, and a few others.. and this one hasn't given me any problems at all.

 

[bicker]

Dells are the best laptops available for the price, in my experience. We've had great quality and service from Dell, commensurate with what we spend. I highly recommend them. However, at $200, you're going to have a hard time getting a "decent" laptop. You get what you pay for. At that price-point, you're really going to be limited to used, and probably so old that the laptop is practically obsolete for many of the things that your mother will soon realize she wants to be able to do with the laptop.

 

[FergieTCat]

Dells are the best laptops available for the price, in my experience. We've had great quality and service from Dell, commensurate with what we spend. I highly recommend them. However, at $200, you're going to have a hard time getting a "decent" laptop. You get what you pay for. At that price-point, you're really going to be limited to used, and probably so old that the laptop is practically obsolete for many of the things that your mother will soon realize she wants to be able to do with the laptop.

I've had my Dell for over a year and I've had no problems since the first time I plugged it in.

I didn't think it was possible to find a good deal under $200, but I thought I'd ask. Her present computer barely works and I think she was thinking anything would be better. She can't use a Netbook; she has arthritis and the screen would be too small.

I'll keep on looking; maybe we'll get lucky.

 

[bicker]

Y'know what we do, in our family: Bequeathal. When my nephew needed a "cheap, decent" laptop, I bought a super-fantastical new one - for myself! ... and he got my old one.

 

[shortbun]

Y'know what we do, in our family: Bequeathal. When my nephew needed a "cheap, decent" laptop, I bought a super-fantastical new one - for myself! ... and he got my old one.

We do this in our family too. There are all kinds of hand me down electronics being passed around. We, however, would not buy another Dell. I hated the customer service (or lack of) with Dell. I was constantly on hold then disconnected. Or-someone would come on and say they would call me back-never heard from then again.

 

[bicker]

HP, Toshiba, Acer, and all the rest do the same. Some of the brands (Dell included) have both high-end (same level as Apple, and almost as expensive) and low-end product lines, and so you'll get service on par with what you pay. This thread really demonstrates why this is the case - the OP's mother is looking for a laptop for about $200! That's what people want: Low prices. And so practically all the manufacturers provide that, and provide crappy service to match, all in proportion to their sales.

So folks who really want good service, be sure to buy one of the high-end models, such as an Apple (they don't make low-end stuff), or Dell's XPS.

 

[bambii]

a refurb apple

 

[SookieStackhouse]

a refurb apple

Those are still going to be expensive.

 

[Agri]

So folks who really want good service, be sure to buy one of the high-end models, such as an Apple (they don't make low-end stuff), or Dell's XPS.

I know this is about laptops, but my Dell XPS desktop gave me a blue screen a week after I got it and the hdd failed a month later because of their settings. Less than a year later, it would not reliably turn on (I would have to wait a whole day and then try again and *hope* that it would turn on) and I am far from hard on my computers. (I voided my warranty because I had to slave the hdd and put in my own when it failed because I had a paper due the next day and they wanted me to take it to their certified repair center that was 4 cities away on the following Monday. So not an option for me.)

So yeah, I would so not ever recommend a Dell to anyone. Ever.

I have an HP that I paid about $400 for - I took a lot off the price with a mypoints giftcard and a visa rewards giftcard, so those can be options, too. I'd totally recommend HP to anyone - this laptop has lasted me much longer than my "top of the line" Dell XPS desktop.

I have also seen clearance laptops and desktops at places like OfficeMax and Office Depot, but that is definitely going to be hit or miss.

I would not recommend a netbook if she is going to play any casual games or do anything aside from checking her email and browsing a few websites. Netbooks can't handle the high quality graphics that casual games now have.

 

[merryweather20]

I know this is about laptops, but my Dell XPS desktop gave me a blue screen a week after I got it and the hdd failed a month later because of their settings. Less than a year later, it would not reliably turn on (I would have to wait a whole day and then try again and *hope* that it would turn on) and I am far from hard on my computers. (I voided my warranty because I had to slave the hdd and put in my own when it failed because I had a paper due the next day and they wanted me to take it to their certified repair center that was 4 cities away on the following Monday. So not an option for me.)

So yeah, I would so not ever recommend a Dell to anyone. Ever.

I have an HP that I paid about $400 for - I took a lot off the price with a mypoints giftcard and a visa rewards giftcard, so those can be options, too. I'd totally recommend HP to anyone - this laptop has lasted me much longer than my "top of the line" Dell XPS desktop.

I have also seen clearance laptops and desktops at places like OfficeMax and Office Depot, but that is definitely going to be hit or miss.

I would not recommend a netbook if she is going to play any casual games or do anything aside from checking her email and browsing a few websites. Netbooks can't handle the high quality graphics that casual games now have.

Between my brother and I, home and work we've had 8 Dell's never had to contemplate calling service, never had a lick of concern until the day we upgraded. My $2,000 HP however blew something expensive two days after the warranty expired.

 

[tvguy]

Dells are the best laptops available for the price, in my experience. We've had great quality and service from Dell, commensurate with what we spend. I highly recommend them. However, at $200, you're going to have a hard time getting a "decent" laptop. You get what you pay for. At that price-point, you're really going to be limited to used, and probably so old that the laptop is practically obsolete for many of the things that your mother will soon realize she wants to be able to do with the laptop.

I agree 100% about anything Dell. Between DW, me and my 2 kids, last 13 years 3 Dell desktops, 2 Dell laptops, 1 Dell notebook, and 1 Apple laptop. Only the Apple has had issues, and it's going in for a new track pad tomorrow.