[quote name='corrosivefrost']If you can find a Toshiba Satellite that meets your needs for under $600, it's a good place to start.
Mine needs some RAM, but I paid $500 shipped for it new.[/quote]
K.
I actually don't mind spending more, since I just discovered I can make monthly payments with no interest for 12 months (at least at Dell).
$600 is about the most I would just spend right away, though. I found one that was a little over $1000 that I could get, and just do monthly payments.