Which is a better deal?

I haven't kept up on laptops at all. Never owned one myself, but a friend who knows absolutely nothing about computers was looking to pick one up on Friday because of all the great sales. She's a very basic user - would just be using it for e-mail, surfing, music, and simple flash games and such the most intense which might be "Puzzle Pirates."

So far I've narrowed it down to two options (still searching, though.)

Here's what I've found

A Toshiba for $400
http://bfads.net/Toshiba-Satellite-Laptop-AMD-Athlon-X2-at-Circuit-City

And a Compaq Presario for $300
http://bfads.net/Compaq-1GB-Presario-Laptop-at-Circuit-City

Also, do you think the battery life will be significantly longer on the Compaq? Sadly, I don't have much time to research the differences in the processors right now so I'm really counting on you guys :D

My experience with a couple of Satellite laptops at work, had been somewhat dodgy.
So I guess I'd go for the Presario.. (though I haven't had any experience with that model)

In my experience, both companies offer only very poor support. The question is how important that is for you when you buy a low-cost notebook.

It also seems that neither machine uses a real notebook CPU, at least none that would current. I don't think they will run very long on battery power; better keep them close to a power outlet.

If it's really got to be a shoot-out between those two models, I'd go for the Toshiba - it seems to have a nicer configuration.

I'm with Winni. Neither are particularly appealing, but if I had to chose, I'd go for the Toshiba.

Thanks for the input. I know neither machine is particularly appealing, but she just needs the most basic bare bones system. Considering both of those prices also include a $60 D-Link router and $80 Lexmark printer, I think they're really good deals for what they are.

The deciding factor ended up being money, and she's going to (hopefully) get the Compaq. She'll be camping out in front of the store in a couple hours. :P

Heh. "free" still isn't good enough for me to take home a lexmark printer. Prepare to spend a fortune in replacement cartridges.

It's *much* more economical to get a low-end laserjet than a lexmark inkjet -- if you print a lot, you'll save a fortune on ink. If you print very little, you'll still save a fortune on ink since toner stays good for a very long itme, yet inkjet nozzles dry out rendering your remaining ink useless.

Well, I know. I'm not a fan of lexmark. She doesn't print much though, just the occasional resume, internet receipt, whatever. I might try and talk her into selling it on E-bay, too. :D

Definitely get her to sell it. People who print infrequently really get the shaft on inkjet printers because the cartridges dry out when they're not used a lot. I'm one of those infrequently printing people, and I bought a cheap little laser printer. I've had it for about a year, and am still using the included toner.