Is that laptop @ Wal-Mart any good? Its a Celeron processor w/ 3GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit edition.

Its better than my current desktop, but before I spend $300 on a new computing device, I'd like to know I'm really getting my money's worth.

The Under Armor code only works if you spend over $75. The phrasing is a bit misleading. You can't use it to just get 50% off an item.

@tmlfan81: It looks comparable to the Best Buy offer as well.

@tmlfan81: Depends on what you want to do with it. That's more than enough RAM and processor for Office applications and Web surfing. The hard drive is enough for your applications and data but maybe not for your entire music collection (although it would hold a lot of it). If you're playing the latest games or editing video, you might want to go another route.

@tmlfan81: These super low end HP laptops are a bit sketchy. If you go into it thinking that it is a cheap throw away laptop that might die in a year or break easily you would be right. If you think it is going to be a super great laptop your going to keep for years you will be disappointed. I looked at buying one of these super cheap consumer laptops at BB a few years ago. The plastic on the cases is really thin and brittle. I'm not hard on laptops but I was afraid I would break it in a month.
The other thing they do with the really low grade ones is shared memory on the video. This makes things like games and streaming video run slow, get choppy or lock up. If your running multiple video intensive programs it can cause problems.
If you want something that will last go look at the business laptops from HP or Dell. They are much better quality as far as the cases and the components. They will last much longer. HP has some decent business class ones for around $600.

It's an effing steal if, Pundit says, you're just going to be surfing or streaming video or doing work stuff. If you want to play the latest hottest games, then you need to be able to spend more than $300 on a laptop.

I'm giving serious thought to buying one of these as a secondary machine.

Slingshot flying monkeys? If it doesn't scream or arrive dressed in a Woot cape, I'm not buying. :-)

Seriously, my cat is so terrified of my Woot monkey that I had to bring it to the office. More convenient to have it here than I'd realized. It's amazing how often the corporate world makes it necessary to fling a screaming monkey across the room.

@tmlfan81: It is a $300 laptop...as long as you don't expect too much from it it will be fine. I have several systems that I have helped to set up for internet kiosk machines used at trade shows, and they handle that task well. The machines that I have are all running XP, but it is my understanding that Win 7 is as efficient, if not more efficient than XP

It should be firn for web surfing, e-mail and light word processing. Don't expect Hulu and other video streaming to work well on it, and don't expect to do audio, video, or photo editing on it.

My biggest concern would be Windows 64 bit if my current computer was slower than a Celeron as some of your peripherals (printers, scanners etc.)if they are the same age as the computer may not have Win 7 64 bit drivers.

@tmlfan81: Like others have said, it depends on what you want it for. Regular internet use and email, that's fine. I would be worried about streaming or photo editing. It probably won't be able to run any large programs, either.

Ideally, this is something that my grandma would use, if she even used a computer. Even my 6 year old cousin would need more computing power than this to run the education software she has to help her learn fractions and stuff.

@Cogito Ergo Bibo: I was in agreement with you until I went to their site. Their regular monkey comes with a black mask and cape, and they have special Christmas monkeys as well. Very, very tempting.

@Caged Wisdom: Oh, and they do scream.

EdgeStar 5-Lt Mini Kegerator for $79.00 Shipped normally $130+.

use code "ESKEGDOD" first 50 people
(still works as of 8:57MT)

@ [www.compactappliance.com]

@Cogito Ergo Bibo: You're lucky. As soon as I shot the first one I got across the room, my cats came running INTO the room, and Dummy proceeded to grab it and take off. They now have to remain hanging on a tall bookshelf the cats can't get to.

@Distahs: Is there any other company that makes those mini-kegs besides Heineken?

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: yes just google "5L Keg" you will find a lot. also [www.bevmo.com] is a good source but it's pickup only in California but, Heineken is the only fully carbonated keg I know of. I brew my own in 2.5 and 5 gallon batches.

@Caged Wisdom: Oooo. That IS tempting. Nope. I'd better stay true to the Woot. It's good karma toward scoring a Baby of the Cosmos.
@GitEmSteveDave_ Natural H1N1 Cure: I am shocked that your cat runs toward your monkey. Mind you, my cat is 19 years old and is probably screaming "Git off my lawn!" at the thing.

@tmlfan81:

I have a 2ghz Celeron Desktop (Optiplex GX260) w/ 2GB of RAM and a cheap video card. It runs an install of Windows XP w/ Office 2003 just fine. The only game I play on it from time to time is Combat Arms. (Cause its free) I do have Photoshop CS4 installed on the machine - and granted I can't do a lot of complex work.

By today's standards, a netbook runs circles around it.

The Sears luggage is actually $99.

@BabyFirefly: And the "Product Description" is clearly wrong and pathetically inadequate:

Product Description

Basic travel set that is perfect to get from point A to B. The travel set features a sleek black exterior made up of durable and quality material. The interior of each piece has the right amount of room for your traveling needs. The pieces are easy to carry through crowed airports and thoroughfares. 7pc. Imported. Product Dimensions 9 in. L x 7 in. W x 3 in. H. Weight: 1 lbs.

Wow. When a Messenger Bag is $80 LESS, what's the message you're trying to send- you bought a bag that was too expensive to begin with?

@flowerofhighrank:
Those Timbuk2's are great bags.
Stitching never fails.
I'm sure mine is around somewhere- although marred by uncapped exacto blades, but the BF's has been banging his around for almost 10 years on his motorcycle.

@tmlfan81: This thing will work great for you unless you want to play the latest games. I have a machine with lower specs than that and have nary an issue with any web related stuff. Streaming video is fast and smooth on mine. Unless you're taking it backpacking or to a construction site, I'm guessing the build quality is perfectly fine.

@flowerofhighrank: Yeah, Timbuk2s are just about the best. Absolutely worth the money.

Handmade in San Fran! Free repairs forever! All you have to do is send it to them and they send it right back - much quicker than one would expect for free.

@downwithmonstercable:

Thanks for the replies everyone. I haven't bought a computer since my first Dell nearly 8 years ago. Back then I skimped on the OS and dealt with ME. Since then I've learned a lot, like you get what you pay for. Based on how I'm computing lately, a laptop (or even a netbook to an extent) would be beneficial. I just didn't want to spend $300 on a lemon when I could have / should have waited.

@tmlfan81: You might also want to consider the environmental impact of buying two computers over x years rather than paying a bit more upfront now for one that will last that long. Less money in the longer run, and certainly better for all the lil' adorable baby seals. :)