Check out the Dell Insprion 15 line... I just purchased a 2nd laptop with 4GB of RAM, high res screen, 500GB Hard Drive and only spent $600...

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-1545/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-1545&s=bsd&cs=04
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One good college laptop would be the { HP - Pavilion Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 RM-72 Dual-Core Mobile Processor - Bronze/Chrome } in the link to be posted below:

{ http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9166635&st=college+laptops&lp=17&type=product&cp=1&id=1218041148373 }
Source(s):
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9166635&st=college+laptop...

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You should be able to get a very good laptop and some accessories in that price range. Focus on the size and weight of the laptop. If you are going to carry it around a lot you probably don't want to go over 16". You should get at least 4GB memory and 280-320 disk drive. Look at battery life too.

Usually I don't recommend buying the warranty on electronics, however; if you are going to be 'away' at college, it could be a worthy option. I believe Dell has some of the best on-site service plans.

If you are a Microsoft Office user, don't fall into the trap of buying the MS Office Student edition. For less money, you can get Microsoft Office Ultimate direct from Microsoft for under $100. You need to have a .edu e-mail address and be currently enrolled.

Check your campus bookstore for student software discounts for other vendors. One last thought, if you are going to take computer classes and want access to server software, check and see if your campus has an academic license agreement with Microsoft.
Source(s):
http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx
http://www.dell.com/home/laptops
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/everyday/sq.aspx?refid=everyday&s=dhs&am...

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I also like the laptops from Dell. I bought a Dell 1525 last year, and it's a great computer. I agree with Spoon's choice here of the Dell Inspiron 15 line - that's a really good price.

But don't forget to add Microsoft Office - since you're in school I'm gonna assume you'll need MS Word and Excel. The Home and Student version should be fine for your needs. It's about $150 extra. My other recommendation would be to upgrade your battery. I didn't do that, and my battery dies in less than an hour. Really drives me crazy. The 9 cell battery that's recommend by Dell is another $75. I also recommend adding the internal Bluetooth so that you can attach Bluetooth devices (no wires, which is great). So, you're looking at around $800-$850 for a Dell laptop with these additional features.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/laptop-inspiron-1545/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-1545&s=dhs&cs=19&~ck=mn
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I got a Toshiba Satellite L305! It's the best, and in my opinion way better than Dell! Where I work, they buy Dell laptops exclusively and with tech support constantly fixing them, it seems as though they are not reliable. I've actually stuck with Toshiba since my first laptop due to how pleased I've been with it's performance and reliability. It has everything you were looking for 4GB of RAM a 300 GB HD an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, built in webcam/mic, it has the works! And best of all it's extremely durable! I picked it up for like 700. But I'll tell you, you won't find a better one for under a grand! Hope you get a good laptop! Have fun!
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I just purchased a gateway for my daughter at Staples for $522. It had 4GB of RAM and a 500 GB HD - so you don't need to spend anyway near $1,000 for what you're looking for.
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HP G60 Notebook PC

287 GB Hard Drive
3 GB RAM
2.00 GHz Dual Core Processor
Windows Vista
3.8 Windows Experience
16:9 Widescreen 16:0 Diagonal
Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Lightscribe direct labeling Drive
HP Built in Webcam
HP wireless connect and much more.

I't loaded, I have one and I love it so much. And I also loved the price of it as well, it is sleek looking, the appearance and functionality of it says "I cost way more than $649.99"

Click the link to see this beauty:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/rts_notebook/rts_notebook//3/storefronts/NB041UA%2523ABA
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check Compaq Pressario and Sony Viao
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E Machines from Walmart are very good plus they are priced at about $500. When I was shopping around for a computer alot of people I asked recommended it. I have a E Machine desktop and I have no complaints about. I'm sure that an E Machine laptop would work just as well.
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