Cheap Laptops?

[Jeff Rodriguez]

Check with a local businesses. Our team was able to get 4 laptops donated. Many larger companies are always buying new PCs and getting rid of old ones. They may be willing to donate some to you or offer them at a very low price.
Also, Pratt & Whitney has a surplus store near us that has old PCs for very cheap. Look for something like that in your area.
Many batteries in second hand laptops are little to no use, so you know before you buy. Buy as long as you can plug them in you'll be fine.

[ChuckDickerson]

Thanks for the suggestions but we are looking more for where we can bulk order new cheap laptops. Being a government agency we really can't go and buy used/surplus stuff (we generate enough of that on our own). We are looking to bulk buy ~10 laptops (all the exact same) of the least expensive laptops that will do the job (minimal requirements). For once, we have some $ and just need to know how best to spend it. I don't want to buy a bunch of cheapo laptops and then find out they are not compatable with the robot programming software(s). I am looking for suggestions on cheap laptops from teams that are proven to work reliably when programming the FRC/VEX/BOE-Bot/etc. robots. We have plenty of laptops around that will work but they are all different types and are "loaners" thus they can't be dedicated to the robotics program. We are looking to get away from a hodge-podge of loaner laptops and buy some dedicated systems. Think computer lab at school with a bunch of cheap computers all exactly the same. We need laptops so they can be stored in a lock cabinet when not in use. I know I have heard of compatibiliy issues with some of the FRC software (MPLab?) and USB drivers/adapters/etc. and want to buy the least cost proven setup.

Thanks!

[Alex Cormier]

Acer Aspire 3680-2682 14.1" Widescreen Notebook PC

Acer Aspire 14.1" Widescreen Notebook PC (3680-2682)

ACA   AS36802682
• Intel Celeron M 440
• 80GB hard drive
• Plays DVDs and burns CDs
	
• 512MB of DDR2 memory
• Built-in 802.11gb wireless
• Windows Vista Home Basic
	
	
Price was:
$549.99
You save:
-$100.00
You pay:
$449.99
Mail-in rebate(s):
-$80.00
 
Rebate Details:
10% off: Any Microsoft Office 2007 with purchase
Free: Router, Printer & Software - Click Here
Save up to $319 on computer services - Click Here
No Interest, No Payments for 90 Days
Price after
rebate:
$369.99

[Gdeaver]

I bought a cheap Acer for work. It has held up nice and if I break it or it's stolen, 450$ isn't to bad to loose. The Acer AMD laptops are the cheapest.

[AV_guy007]

Originally Posted by Ogre

Check with a local businesses. Our team was able to get 4 laptops donated. Many larger companies are always buying new PCs and getting rid of old ones. They may be willing to donate some to you or offer them at a very low price.
Also, Pratt & Whitney has a surplus store near us that has old PCs for very cheap. Look for something like that in your area.
Many batteries in second hand laptops are little to no use, so you know before you buy. Buy as long as you can plug them in you'll be fine.

Have you been to the Pratt. surplus store lately. Its disappointing, they got rid of all their good stuff. no more dollar bin and no more cheap crt's. I got a 21inch dell crt made in 2004 that was absolutely perfect for only 5 bucks!

I used to love that place. I am sad to see it turn into what it has. An over priced slightly used and new computer store. no more hunting for bargains, no more fun.