To answer your question about older laptops, I would say that apart from an outdated CPU (which is not an issue to u), you'd have to deal with pathetic battery life and heating issues. The NC10 is ur standard netbook but with exceptional battery life ~6-8 hours, moderate usage).

Also, if you're gonna be using it for normal activities sans gaming, any standard low-budget laptop should fill your need. Did you check out Acer and Compaq? As for the notebooks, an Aspire One is pretty cheap albeit weak (even by netbook standard).

Overall, I usually prefer new stuff over second hand. But that's just because I don't really trust people/like second hand stuff.

I can't stand netbooks....No CD drive, the keyboard is too small, and I hate the screen size....I fried my brother's Acer Aspire One Touch when wee tried to put Windows 7 on it. Noob thing to do, I know.....

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:To answer your question about older laptops, I would say that apart from an outdated CPU (which is not an issue to u),

But they still outperform Atoms...

I should have been clearer... outdated CPUs compared to current budget laptops...  but in any case, you say that CPU is not the top prority.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:you'd have to deal with pathetic battery life and heating issues. The NC10 is ur standard netbook but with exceptional battery life ~6-8 hours, moderate usage).

Most netbooks with 6 cell batteries can last around 6-8 hours of standard non-intensive usage.

Yes.. but you have to invest in getting that 6-cell. And then too, they will last you about 5-6. NC10 comes pre-loaded with a 6-cell battery and company claims of upto 10 hours backup (which wouldn't be too far from the actual mark).  

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:Seem to have found some Toshiba A100 / M100 / M110 for around AU$500-550 - seem to look good as they have a Core 2 processor.
Anyone know anything about them?

I've seen them. Big ones if I remember them accurately. BUt the built quality is not that great.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:I should have been clearer... outdated CPUs compared to current budget laptops...  but in any case, you say that CPU is not the top prority.

I'm not considering entry level new laptops - they cost around 2-3 times more than older laptops.

Just clearing up the previous point.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:Yes.. but you have to invest in getting that 6-cell. And then too, they will last you about 5-6. NC10 comes pre-loaded with a 6-cell battery and company claims of upto 10 hours backup (which wouldn't be too far from the actual mark).  

Claims are nothing more than claims.  Netbooks all have very similar specs, including the chipset and CPU so they'll all get around the same battery life with the same battery.

I know about the claims and the extent of their validity. But the NC10 does provide more backup than other netbooks. Still the fact remains that most netbooks come with a 3-cell battery and you will need to buy the 6-cell saperately. However, since you mention that you won't be moving around much, I don't think that is a problem. If u do settle for a netbook, maybe take a look into Inspiron 12 - same netbook specs but 12" screen.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:I've seen them. Big ones if I remember them accurately. BUt the built quality is not that great.

Eh, it's not like I'm going to drop them from 5m to test their build strength, as long as it doesn't fall apart it'll do fine.

The build quality as in weak palm rests, bad hinges, creaks etc... Also they tend to heat up.

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Imo, if you go for a second-hand laptop, then go for a make that has good build quality and specs in the stock machine... like the Thinkpad R61..

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:^ Costs a bit.

Anything on Dell Latitudes?  Yeah, it's a Dell, but they're fairly cheap, and some still come with warranty.  What's the main problem with Dells?  Locking the BIOS?

I have an older Dell Latitude, and I must say there was nothing wrong with it. It was dropped a couple of times but it never stopped working, battery life was pretty good but usually had it plugged in. Only thing that really sucked was replacing the cd drive was expensive :/

lol @ dell, eww at netbook. no offense to anyone with a netbook, but anyone serious about computers knows the  netbooks are a joke. not even a cd drive! and the atom sucks. might as well get a mac. id say shoot for second hand, but buy from a refurbisher.