If you purchase a lower spec laptop/notebook, there are cost-effective ways you can increase the performance yourself in the future.Memory upgrades are cheaper these days, with a 2GB memory (RAM) module available for under $50. Installing the memory yourself is fairly straight forward, and can greatly improve the performance of the laptop.
Laptop hard drives are very reasonably priced, they are also reasonably easy to install. The size of the hard drive you will need will depend on your particular requirements, if you don't wish to upgrade the existing laptop hard drive, you can always purchase an external hard drive which can be connected via USB. One of the most crucial components when it comes to the performance of your cheap laptop is the processor.
Laptop processors can be very tricky to upgrade and involve opening your laptop's casing, voiding any warranty. For this reason when choosing your laptop/notebook, pay attention to the speed of the processor rather than the size of the hard drive or the amount of memory (RAM) installed (although always check the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that can be installed).
Any additional components can also be added in the future. For example, wireless connectivity (using a PCMCIA card or USB device), more USB ports (using a USB hub), DVD writers (external via USB or Internal from manufacturer (if available)), floppy disk drives (external via USB), modems (PCMCIA or USB), webcams (USB), and more can be added with ease.
What are Refurbished Laptops/Notebooks?
Most refurbished laptops/notebooks have been returned by a customer (within a limited time from purchase) and then tested and resold by the retailer or manufacturer.The machine will usually come with a limited warranty, which normally lasts for around 6 months. Although there is a small risk with purchasing a refurbished laptop/notebook, the majority of the machines are reliable and in excellent condition.
