Buying a used Laptop. PC Gurus offer any input?

[OCDP]

Originally Posted by Canadbis

Ok
so for what you plan to use it for and the price...its not to bad.
I would try and see if she would go down $50 or so (being family friend and all)
thats my 2 cents

Cool, thanks.. in the meantime I have been looking at dell laptops.

In reality, it makes more sense now to buy brand new than to buy this used. It has 4 years used that we know of, could be more.. so the screen probably isn't looking too hot either. Once I buy the wireless router , I am still looking at a 500$ hit in the end.

I just worked up a laptop at Dell and here's what I have so far.

Dell Insiprion 1300
Intel Celeron M Processor (1.6g)
XP Home
15.4" Screen
512MB ram
40g hardrive
24xcd burner/dvd combo drive
Internal wireless network card
1 yr return to depot service with 1yr tech support
XP Home re-install CD
And finally a D-Link Wireless G Router

All for 738$. It's only an extra 238$ , and with the Dell I walk away with warranty, a brand new system, and a wireless router.

I'm in the re-thinking stages, and I'll know better once I test out the laptop she has. Until then..