Laptop Help

I know we have a lot of computer experts here, so let's see if I can get some help.

Next year I'm going to University and I was curious if anyone could help me find a nice laptop that I will need to buy before I go. The screen size doesn't have to be that big at all, and I don't need a gaming computer.

I just want a computer that will connect with the internet fast and allow me to use chat engines like MSN, AIM, etc.

Would like it to be under $500-600 if possible. Any ideas of laptops that worked for you? Know of any that are good?

Thanks in advance,

Preference for Apple/PC?

I can't help with Apples, but for PC's, can't go wrong with an EEEPC.

If you need a proper workmachine get a macbook. Period. Everything works at blinding speed and the battery is top-notch. Latest line even has a very decent video-card but doesn't look as cool, but that is a matter of taste.

A Macbook is outside the budget range though.

The new generation of netbooks is what you want - the EeePC has already been recommended (though isn't that largely Linux?) and I have heard good things about the Dell version.

I personally can't stand using netbooks, but I don't know about you. Those are the only ones that can reliably fall under your range.

I would recommend looking at sales at your local electronic outlets and hope for a good one. At $500-600, you would only be able to buy the base levels of even cheaper notebooks from hp/dell, etc...

Do you have any sort of desktop PC? If so, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an eeePC. They're reliable, extremely portable, and get good battery life. The only caveat is that you just won't be able to do everything on it that you could with a full-featured PC. But, they make for an excellent "2nd PC".

I've been playing around with one since November, and it definitely meets your listed requirements -gets online easily and has Pidgin preinstalled, so you should be able to most any IM service. Also preinstalled is Skype, which with the builtin webcam, makes it handy for staying in touch with friends and family. It also comes with other basics like OpenOffice for typing papers, ect.

If you have a rudimentary understanding of Linux, you can get even more done with it, but even computer novices should have no trouble using the preinstalled apps and getting online.

my friend simply installed windows XP on it. Worked fine :D

Computers are evil, I tell ye, EVIL!!!!! WE SHOULD GO BACK TO USING THE ABACUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:smg::hmg::smg::hmg::smg::hmg::smg::hmg::gah: