ok so i'm lookin' to buy a laptop..in y'alls opinion, which is the best brand to buy?
*Lynx adjusts his glasses and prepares to once again deliver a complicated answer to what seems to be a simple question...
It's not that simple. Do you want a computer that will last for a long time? One that is cheap? One that is fast and cheap? One that is glossy and pretty to look at?
One guy at work asked that same question you asked so I started asking what he wanted out of a computer. He actually decided an Acer from Wal-Mart was what he wanted, specifically BECAUSE it was cheap and would probably break down in a year and a half. "Great! Then I'll get a new one for cheap and when it breaks down I'll get a new one, and I'll always have a modern computer... and have kind of a rolling upgrade system for not a lot of money."
If you want a reliable computer that will run forever, and eventually you'll get rid of it just because it won't run the latest programs anymore... get a used Thinkpad from Ebay. T400 will do nicely. Look for one that has 4 gigs ram and it'll run what you want for the next few years. And a Thinkpad will be around and working fine a few years from now. Every Thinkpad I've ever gotten is still running.
Or just click this link where I've already applied all the parameters you need to look for and what you want is all in one list.
PC Laptops and Netbooks in Memory:4 GB or more, Operating System:Windows 7, Product Line:ThinkPad | eBay
Ignore the T61s and X61s. Sort by cheapest first and look at the first T400 or T500.
If you want something slick and glossy go to Wal-Mart and get an Acer or HP. It might last seven years, might last a year and a half, but it'll look good while it lasts.