Need a good computer for 600-700 USD

[Pergamum]

Hello,

A major church leader in my place of ministry needs a good quality but 600-700 USD laptop to write documents, craft newsletters and do powerpoint presentations. Any suggestions for good deals lately? In our area of asia, electronics cost 30% more or so due to remoteness and so while I am here in the US for 26 more days I want to help get this guy a good computer (he will repay me) and save him some money by buying here in the US.

I don't want to take forever installing antivirus, programs, etc.....I'd love to have it ready-to-go for this guy with Office pre-installed and anti-virus pre-installed so I don't even have to work on it to prepare it.

Also, if there is anyone out there that builds custom-made computers or knows someone who does, let me know.

 

[Christopher88]

Here is what you need to look for: (and for what you listed as the purpose, no need to spend that much)
The Processor you will not find anything less than a duo core, so it will be fine. Make sure to have a least 2.5 ghz speed (I prefer 3 and over)
Hard drive space, I would go with a 500 gig hard drive to keep him in good shape for a while.

Those are the main two concerns I have.

 

[Scottish Lass]

There's no reason you'll need to spend that much. Anywhere from Walmart to Best Buy you can get what he needs for less.

 

[VictorBravo]

There's no reason you'll need to spend that much. Anywhere from Walmart to Best Buy you can get what he needs for less.

I agree, with that budget he could have a mid-range Toshiba laptop with MS Office 2007 Home and Small business, plus an external hard drive (essential for backing up everything, especially in remote locations).

Use MS Security Essentials for anti-virus, which is a free download, and he would probably be set.

A Lenovo laptop might be a bit more rugged, and a mid-range one can be found for around $500. Almost any laptop made nowadays will meet the requirements you've set out. My little three year old Acer Aspire One can handle all the things he'd want to do, and it can be found for under $300 (but the keyboard is small and many don't like that).