Laptops that cost little, cheap LCD screens

USA
AMD 64-bit processors are really coming to an affordable level. Even though the Sempron 3100+ cannot be classified as a true 64bit CPU, it shares many features. A new system from United Micro will cost you just above $500. It is built around an AMD Sempron 3100+ processor and has 512MB PC3200 memory. Other unusual features found at such a low price include a 80GB Maxtor Hard disk, a Ricoh DVD writer - albeit a 4x one, a Gainward Geforce 4 MX 4000 Pro/600XP graphic card with 64MB memory.

Unfortunately, the price does not include a floppy, the OS or any monitor but it does take into account, the keyboard with a wheel mouse and matching speakers. The casing provided is a 400W ATX mid tower while the motherboard is an ECS 755a which includes onboard LAN and 6.1 audio. If you can stretch your budget to $599, then you will be able to get yourself a beefier hard disk, probably a 120GB SATA, a K8T800 motherboard and most importantly, a much better graphic card, the eVGA Geforce FX 5600XT with 128Mb memory. µ

Singapore
AAAs Com Solution has a single Sharp PC-RD10 ex-demo laptop for sale at S$1899. The model includes built-in floppy, a , memory card slots and games - Nightfire, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003. On top of that, it is based on a Pentium IV 2.8GHz with 512MB memory and a Hitachi 60GB hard disk, larger than what you would get on most desktops. The screen is a bright 15in XGA model controlled by a GeforceGo 4 420 module with 32MB memory - good for Quake III but don't expect to play DOOM III on this one.

A DVD/CDRW combo is provided as are four USB ports, a Firewire one, TV Out and SPDIF. To connect to the outer world, a modem, 802.11g Wireless LAN as well as a Wired option is provided. As software, Drag N Drop and Win DVD as well as Windows XP are amongst some of the software provided. At 12Lbs though and with a 80 minutes autonomy - not even enough to watch a film, it is firmly stuck in the desktop replacement category. µ

UK
With £99 to spare on an old laptop, these are the bargains that you might get yourself. A Compaq Armada 1500 is offered for £98.99. It is an old refurbished Pentium 166MHz with 32MB memory and a 2.1GB hard disk. The screen size though is just a little bit small at 14in but it should suffice most users. The battery does hold a charge and you do get an internal AC Adaptor and charger. The floppy as well as external stereo speakers are also provided.

Add £20 to this and bag yourself a Siemens Mobile 510 laptop which includes a Pentium II 266MHz CPU, a 13in screen, 128MB memory and a larger 4.1GB hard disk. Most importantly, it has a CDROM drive as well as a Xircom modem/LAN card. Both laptops will be fine for students on the move or people looking for a second or even a third computer to do some basic things like emailing or word processing. Both are on buy-it-now option and cost much less than purchasing them from websites of established second hand notebook retailers.

But the best deal is found here on Gumtree, where Matt is selling its old faithful Toshiba Satellite 4400CDS for £100. It includes 32MB memory and a Pentium II 233MHz. With a CDROM and a floppy as well as a 12.1" monitor, it will be ideal for daily chores. It comes with all the leads and some software as well. µ

France
A 17-inch LCD monitor for less than Eur 300 in France is a bargain when most cost 15% more. Videoseven is a LCD brand that we discovered some times back in Singapore. The L17.4A has a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels and a contrast ratio of 400:1. Maximum resolution is 1024x1280 at 75Hz. The response time is average at 25ms but it is provided with dual VGA ports as well as four USB ports and at 10KG is only a third of what it would weight as a CRT model. You can get two if them for Eur 520 or one at Eur 289.

The monitors do carry a one month warranty as they are second hand. Want go even larger. Gros Bill is selling a 19" LCD monitor, the nFren 190M1. At only 7 KG, it is lighter than most in its category and at Eur 449, costs much less also. It has a maximum resolution of 1280x1024 and comes with two speakers. Brightness is 220 cd per m2 while contrast ratio stands at 400:1. Interestingly, the monitor has a sound in/out as well as the normal VGA Dsub connection. µ