EggXpert

Hi, I need to get a cheap laptop before September.  I don't want one of those mini laptops with the 7-9 inch screens. I'd like it to be 14-15 inches or so, give or take an inch.  It is for my kids' schoolwork and it needs to run some software that includes some video (not games or advanced animation, just actual video).  Anyway, I don't think I need anything powerful and I see many in the $500 range (I was hoping for more like $450ish if I could catch a sale) but I don't know what processor is the best in that range (Pentium dual core, Athlon dual core, Turion dual core, etc.).  I wish I could afford a Core 2 Duo but that doesn't seem likely.  I'm assuming I need at least 1 gig of RAM for Vista (I've never used Vista before). 

So what brand of laptop and what processors are the best for low end laptops? 

If I could find a way to get a few more dollars to spend what is the best thing to upgrade, RAM to 2 gigs, better processor, etc? 

Thanks!!!

Here you go its all with in the ranges you are looking for.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260032+4020+103980226&name=15%22+-+15.4%22

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according to your description above : it  seems that this one will serve you well:
Acer Extensa EX5620-4025 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T2370(1.73GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 1GB Memory DDR2 667 120GB HDD DVD Super Multi Intel GMA X3100 - Retail

and i have a notebook with T2370 and X3100 onboard video card,  i can tell you that with 1GB memory and Vista home basic, it freezes sometimes if you open too many windows. so if you buy this one, i strongly recommend to upgrade it to 2GB memory if you plan to run vista.

or with more $$, you can go with these ones

Acer Extensa EX5620-6266 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5550(1.83GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 3GB Memory DDR2 667 250GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA X3100 - Retail

 TOSHIBA Satellite M305-S4815 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5550(1.83GHz) 14.1" Wide XGA 2GB Memory DDR2 667 250GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA X3100 - Retail

but IMO, the first one is capable of daily work. 

Thanks, the Acer Extensa EX5620-4025 went back on sale for $399 so I went with that one, should be shipping from Newegg today.  I don't think I can beat that for the money.  There seems to be some question as to just how much RAM I can upgrade it to.  I called ACER and they said up to 4 gigs but I don't think that's correct as it looks like only Core 2 Duos can do that (on the Intel side) and this is a Pentium dual core.  So I'll wait and get the thing first and figure out what I need and what I can do and go from there.  I think 2 gigs will be fine anyway and who knows, once I remove the bloatware and install the one application I need, it may even run well enough on 1 gig, at least for now. 

Thanks again for everyone's help!!!!

Just an update in case anyone else reads this thread. 

I got the Acer Extensa EX5620Z-4025 and so far it seems great, very nice display and the keyboard and touchpad are very nice as opposed to the hyper-sensitive touchpad on my HP from work (I hate the HP and I can't figure out how to adjust it).  This Acer does max out at 2 gigs of RAM so I'm glad I waited to order the extra RAM.

I bought a set of PNY 1 gig sticks from Newegg so now it's at 2 gigs (I'll save the two 512 mb sticks for emergency backups as they are not worth selling).  It made a huge difference in boot up speed - cut that time more than in half.  I'll have to see how other stuff runs.  RAM installation was a little tricky when taking the back panel off.  After you remove the screws there are these little tabs that hold the panel on so you need a small, thin blade screwdriver or even a pocket knife blade to gently coax the panel off of the tabs.  Swapping out the RAM after the panel is off was a breeze.  Putting the panel back on requires care due to the tabs again.

I still haven't removed the bloatware yet and it runs pretty well anyway.  Actually there doesn't seem to be too much of that junk on it.  This is the first laptop I have ever purchased and my desktops have been my own builds since the days of Windows ME so I haven't had to deal with bloatware since then but there seems to be less than what was on the Dell desktop I bought way back then.  Of course I did dump the Norton ant-virus junk right away and downloaded Avast so that alone probably improved performance right off the bat.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice, hopefully others will find it helpful too!