Used Laptop?

[RUNVS]

I am not particularly knowledgeable about computers (just average) but recently i have decided i need a laptop. Now i don't need a top of the line one so i have given myself a budget of about $500 (though i could go up to $700 if needed). I was wondering several things including what i should look for when buying a used laptop (eg regular problems used laptops face) and more importantly where is the best place to buy said laptop.

I live in Sydney and ideally i would like to see and test a laptop before buying it but i can buy it online if the company i am buying from is trustworthy (as i don't want to buy a laptop online and have it sent to me only for me to find out it is a lemon).

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[HarryTiger]

Buy a new laptop for 600 to 700.

 

[seanoff]

you can get a new toshiba 15" win7 home premium, 2gb ram, 500gb HDD, wifi N etc $497.

$700 gets you a decent machine indeed.

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/laptop-notebook/

don't buy a used laptop.

 

[soonarmee]

I think $700 will get you a good unit no matter what brand. Take a look at Dell, they usually have pretty good units.

Have you considered a netbook? The newer ones have come out with the dual core atoms so that may be an option...

Otherwise you take that $700 and buy yourself an Apple sticker for your car