basic laptop - help please

[jgmaull]

Hi there, i am looking for a very BASIC laptop. I have a desktop at home that I use regularly, just would like one that I could take to the cottage now and then. Maybe throw in a DVD for the kids, surf the net, and maybe a little word processing. I was wondering what the opinions are of DFS Direct and their Off - lease ones - as they are on sale for 20% off right now. I must stress, this will not be used on a regular basis. I am aware that they do not come with any software or operating system, - i have an old dell with windows 2000. The computer was hit by lightening a couple of years. I have the discs from it and a COA, can that be installed on another computer ( as it is not being used currently)?

I did have an OLD pentium 2 for this purpose, ( bought it on EBAY for about $200 with shipping included - it finally died, it was used for the same purpose). ANy suggestion of elsewhere to look? Please do not suggest any $600+tax and up computers, that is NOT what I am interested it. I have seen the refurbished compaq on the future shop site for $500. That is pushing my budget limit, would it be worth it in the long run though ( remember, this is not my regular computer).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice.

[jgmaull]

THis is one of the ones that I was looking at: After shipping ( free) and taxes total would be $500.39 - is this any good? or too much money
DELL LATITUDE C640 P4 1.8 GHZ NOTEBOOK WITH DVD

P4 1.8 GHZ INTEL PROCESSOR
14" TFT ACTIVE MATRIX SCREEN
512MB SDRAM
30GB HARD DISK
DVD/CDRW COMBO DRIVE
FLOPPY DRIVE
SOUNDBLASTER COMPATIBLE AUDIO ADAPTER
ATI MOBILITY M1 GRAPHICS ADAPTER
NETWORK ADAPTER / 56K MODEM
CARRY CASE
POWER CABLE PROVIDED
MODEM & NIC CABLES PROVIDED WHERE NECESSARY
NO SOFTWARE

[Deimos]

The suggested laptop will be more than adequate for the specified purpose. In fact, for playing DVD's, DIVX, surfing web, flash, wordprocessor, and even some internet java games, any 7-8 year old P3 is more than enough. P3 is the gold benchmark standard because some games/programs now require SSE instruction support ;)

Back to your issue. That laptop is more than enough. However, I am worried about lack of software... and what kind of support it has. I hope you are carefull with it, since you admitedly killed a few PCs already.