Advice - which laptop?

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I'm pretty good at researching the things I want to know, but I'm so inexperienced with laptops that I don't even know what to begin researching. I have it down to four, but now I'm stuck. So I thought I'd ask the experts on WrongPlanet - which laptop is the best for what I want to do and in terms of value?
(I will be using it for word processing and for the Internet; I might do a little image work on it, but nothing major, and no gaming or videos.)

Thanks, guys.

http://www.a-computers.ca/
(Just a little ways down the page... either the new one called "Acer Extensa EX5620-4382" or the refurbished "Acer Aspire AS5520-5112".)

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetai ... &langid=EN

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetai ... &langid=EN

I would go for the compaq, but the Acer Aspire AS9410-2459 doesn't look bad for the price - not the other Acers though!
I look for at least 2G RAM these days, with laptops you have to balance battery life with Ghz but around 1.8 is ok for me.
I used to have a Toshiba that was very cheap to buy but very robust, still going strong after 5 years but the hard drive was too small and my work got me a new Dell
I have had problems with Vista compatability at work but it is does have some nice features if you are looking for home use.

Just out of curiosity - why that Acer?
I notice it only has 1GB RAM as opposed to the 3GB that I could have for the same price. It also has a 17" screen that I suppose would be a benefit to most, but I would prefer a smaller screen. So what are the benefits - what will make me buy that one?

Try an Eee PC.

I don't have one, but for what you're doing, it'll do just fine.

I only purchase Toshiba laptops. Yes, they are up to a couple hundred dollars more, for nearly the same guts, but they are honestly the best lappys around. I've got one here, over 5 years old, and shes my baby. Yea, the side USB port is nearly gone, and she has random motherboard issues, but it still WORKS. And thats all I ask, is that the computer bought 5 years ago is not only working damn near perfectly, but is still one of the fastest machines availible.

One thing you might consider is purchasing a slightly used machine, usually from a small shop. They often have no warrenty, but, its a better value and often they come stuffed with upgrades.

a vote for an Asus laptop, and another vote for a Toshiba, those things are sturdy! and can handle well falling several times

even an hp is good, and you can install macOS in there

Yea, I dropped my sis's Toby from about 7 feet onto a sidewalk. Cracked the CRAP out of the back of the case, but it worked perfectly fine till we retired it from old age (8 years). One bad thing about lappys. They are hardly ever upgradable. So, if you intend to purchase one, and not feel like you're throwing your money away, get a tough bugger.

I personally don't like anything HP has ever done, as I've worked as a repair tech in some capacity, whether at my own shop or for someone else, and WAY to many of those come in because they just... died. And often they go about... two, maybe three months past the manufacturers warrenty, and they are so expensive for parts out of pocket, that you end up buying a new one.

I would reccomend Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Sony, but only if you like $$$$ flying out your pocket, or Acer. Any of those are tough machines with excellent company backing. Minus Acer. They sell different models in different regions, and often caint figure out their own parts list

Hell, for an additional cost, Dell has a 'if you can break it, we'll replace it' warrenty. Awesome thing... I've seen people run them over with trucks and get a new one within days, weeks tops.

am have never had a problem with acer [apart from one getting killed during a meltdown+seizure,tech couldn't get hold of a new motherboard for it and it was less than a year old,he also said their customer services are very bad],but overall am have put cheap end aspires and mid range travelmates through a lot and not caused any damage before then,they also have a sturdy feel.
am dont think acer make the original aspires anymore,think they moved onto the gemstones only,it might be hard getting a replacement motherboard if that ever goes as that was the reason given for not being able to get hold of that specific travelmate one.

toshibas....
the current laptop am have is a toshiba equium,it's the level below the satelite range,they are a solid build,they feel great,and the layout is minimal but have already noticed a little wear in the silver colour where hand/wrist rests,and they're not the lightest though they do look thin.
it has a lot of ram,seems to have a lot better heat control than other laptops am have used and is not as noisy as others.
it has a mega fast start up and shutdown time with vista,and is a great value laptop for non gaming.
am would recommend this one as are not bothered about extreme power for gaming,or maybe get family to buy one of these for next christmas present:
http://www.voodoopc.com/sellpage/sellpage.aspx?spid=83

I am thinking of getting my first laptop and saying goodbye to all the wires. My first PC (a long time ago) was a Compaq so I thought I'd get one but now having read this thread I think I'll get a Dell. I've had two desktop Dells which have been very good. I mean reliable, long lasting and QUIET.

nowadays, more ram tends to be better than an extra few mhz on the processor. Better for battery life, too - more ram means less accessing the hard disk = less power used.

Definitely 1 GB should be absolute minimum, but more is even better.