Best sub-$500 Lenovo for a teacher/writer?

I just bought (and am thrilled by) my X201.

A writer friend now is looking for recommendations in the $500 range. Laptop doesn't need to be that powerful, given she'll primarily be using it to "listen to iTunes, use Word, & use the internet." I know the x301 is gone, so I'm thinking something 14" and larger, but I'm confused by all the new and old models I see floating around Newegg and Amazon.

Something in the EDGE series? Ideapad Z565? G560?

Suggestions?

 

Perhaps maybe a R400 with warranty is good option. They didn't make as many of the R series so they're not as easily found, but cheaper than the T series if you do.

 

Is battery life and portability important to your friend?

 

I think there are some R400 left at some USA retailers between 500-600$
Look for model number/machine type 7439-E4U
Its pretty loaded with 9 cell battery and probably only R400 thats so cheap.
Or perhaps wait for 11.6" X120e?

 

Is a refurb/used one okay? You can get a T61 or R400 at that range.

I've also seen brand new R500s for ~$550 before.

 

There was an ebay seller offering R500 with Celerons in the $230 range a few months ago, but the OP has given so little information, everyone's feeling around in the dark. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but not here.

 

I don't think it's essential, but a fairly decent performer would be preferable of course. Just largely interested in the best bang for the overall technological buck at that price point...

 

I think it was 299$ and seller didnt ship outside US, which was a shame, otherwise I wouldnt hesitate to get one


Leviathan - use google product search to find some decently priced and specced R400/R500 laptops or check them out at ebay

R500, quite poor specification, but just to give you rough idea how much you should pay for such laptop and its specs without overpaying hundreds for similarly speced ThinkPads
Brand New in box Lenovo Thinkpad R500 NoteBook Laptop - eBay (item 290525553280 end time Feb-20-11 04:47:32 PST)

Another one I could recommend is Elitebook 2530p from compuvest, they had 2 models, one for around 610$ brand new sealed box and bit more expensive one:
HP ELITEBOOK 2530P CORE2DUO SL9600 SG674UC#ABA - eBay (item 400170215163 end time Feb-03-11 07:53:35 PST)

Both models had SSD, but price is around 600$ and 700$ which makes them out of price range you mentioned.

If you look for cheap ThinkPad then look for bargain R400/R500 models using google product search since ebay is not always best source for excellent deals.
Or, as I mentioned, wait a month or two and buy X120e if its good enough.

 

With all due respect .... this isnt that great of a laptop, I would not buy a Celeron laptop now a days.... I think there are better deals out there on deal websites (ie. slickdeals) I saw an x201 for mid $600's in the past.

 

I'll second the R400!!!! I just came back from a whirlwind trip involving multiple airports and multiple security checks. I thought my R400 got a bit banged around - more than usual - and it held up fantastically well. I did feel the weight of it though carting it around.

I am also not in favour of the Celeron version.

 

I know the OP is looking for a lenovo, but if they are willing to look at anything else, there is a killer deal on an ASUS laptop ....

ASUS UL30Vt-X1K 13.3" Notebook PC - Black in PC Notebook Computers at JR.com

May be a great alternative?? Seems like an ultra portable and weighs very little too great for a writer...

 

Out with the old, in with the new. Here's the new --> ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks - ASUS U36JC

 

Cool thanks!

Am absolutely looking at other brands and appreciate any deals you see around the $500 mark. ASUS seems to have a lot of deals right around there.

Any of the new Lenovo's around the $500 worth it you think?

 

I'd say that if they're looking for a Lenovo, I'd say the T400 or R400 would be a very good bet. If they're willing to get one used off of eBay or something like that, the integrated graphics T400 are hovering around the $450-500 range. A possible good deal if you're able and willing to do the work might be this:

Lenovo ThinkPad T400 160GB 2GB 2.4GHz BROKEN SCREEN/LCD - eBay (item 180615612346 end time Feb-20-11 21:42:09 PST)

$290 with free shipping, but with a broken LCD. Factor in about $100 for a new screen(I have one that I may be willing to get rid of; feel free to PM me if you want to go that route) and an hour or so putting it in and that's a $400 T400 right there.

 

Looks like that UL30VT deal is already gone.

 

She's not really technically savvy AFAIK, and I don't want to get in the middle as tech support help, so I'd probably avoid any damaged goods, even if I could repair it for her...probably leaning more towards newer Lenovo's available via mainstream retailers (Newegg, Amazon)...

 

Completely understood. If she's willing to dig a little deeper than $500, she could get a new ThinkPad Edge 14 with a Core i3 for $535 off of Amazon:

Amazon.com: LENOVO EDGE i3370M 2.4/2/250/DR/14/W7P64 NB: Electronics

 

I'd get a refurbished or second hand X200. Good mix of performance and battery life in a light tiny package, perfect for writing on the go or connecting to a projector for teaching.

 

Out of curiosity, but where can one find the X30x for under $500(heck even under $700) these days?

 

I used to see used X300s for ~$500 before on both Ebay and Craigslist. Demand seems to have gone up.

 

Ah that would make sense. I thought this was like some e-tailer selling refurbished models.