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Help my tech-minded friends.
I have been offered a post-christmas laptop for school/work.  I know nothing of these, and I'm rapidly getting into the age where I can't be bothered too much with futzing with technology.   Here are the criteria I have to work with:
1) CHEAP- The closer or under $500 the better, not more than $799.  There is some money for upgrading RAM etc, but I'd rather not. 
2) intended uses:
    a) writing/business software
    b) taking a multimedia (DVD/CD) training course. 
    c) Light Gaming- nothing hugely intensive
    d) WiFi compatible.   
3) What I want:
    a) relibility
    b) Back compatible with other software- I have read that Vista is getting much better about this.
    c) not feel like I'm buying a piece of junk out of cheapness.  Quality for the money.
    d) not too big or heavy
    e) good battery life (this is key)
    f) doesn't need many features, I'd prefer workmanlike over gadgetty.

Sorry this is vague, but I really am way out of date on my computer technology.  Any help would be most welcome.

-Ed

Get you a Dell Refrub, I got my sister one for Christmas she seems real happy with it. (She has to pay me back I'm not that nice, I just give her interest free longer than Dell will.)

I got her one loaded with XP Pro, Vista sucks. Loss any anti virus that put on it and get a free version of AVG.

Here is a linky ...

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh (http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh)

Here's a decent one for $739.00 ...


Here's another for $529.00 ...


They move fast so if you see one you want buy it or likely it will be gone, this is extra true or the cheaper ones. you can chick the price and sort them by price low to high, or high to low.

These aren't topend laptops, but they'll do what you want with some power left over.

A Dell (refurb, or a new system on the lower end) will fit your criteria.  CheezeFlix suggestion is a good one.  The other that you should check into is a Toshiba.  You can usually find one with specs just a little less than the Dell mentioned above at Best Buy and, if you wait until it is one sale, they are a good deal.

Thanks guys,
 I was able to get my hands on a Sony Vaio (VGN-N365E/B) for a great price.  So far (2 hours) its great, but I haven't done much.   The review I have read are pretty good.  I was upset aboutthe lack of XP, but you have to move with the times, even when they are moving slowly.
Thanks for the advice, I was on the way to buying a Dell then had to stop into Office Depot for some other sttuff, and this guy was on sale.  I'll update as anything happens.

-Ed

Nothing wrong with a Sony Vaio I've got one and have had one trouble with it. I recently got another laptop (Dell) that came loaded with Vista and I wiped it and loaded XP Pro on it. Not impressed with Vista in the least. I mainly buy Dell's for no other real reason then I've been buying from them for over a decade, I've bought several dozen of them and I have a corporate account so I don't have to deal with the Indian tech support, I talk to a real live a 'merican (or a Indian that can fake a mid-western accent)

Good luck with it? I recommend ..

AVG anti virus (free)
Firefox browser (free)
Thunderbird email client (free)
and if you need a office program OpenOffice is free and it's not bad if you don't have a MSOffice or WordPerfect Office

If anyone else needs a laptop, this one looks to be a great deal:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1196469485969&type=product&ref=10&loc=01 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1196469485969&type=product&ref=10&loc=01)

Specs:

    * AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 1.9 Ghz Dual Core Processor
    * 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
    * 160GB Serial ATA (5400 rpm) Hard Drive
    * Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
    * Wireless 802.11 b/g Network
    * ATI RADEON X1250 Video Card w/ HyperMemory
    * Gigabit Ethernet
    * Built-in Webcam
    * WXGA widescreen LCD with CrystalBrite technology (1280 x 800)
    * Windows Vista Home Premium
    * 6.4 lbs

All of that for 500.00!  I wish I had the cash.

I can verify that one I was given one as a graduation gift and it seems to work wonders. Although I woudn't recomend it for any gaming though, you can't get a better video card.

With the money you save over a new one you can upgrade the video. You can also sort by video cards RAM, some systems (laptops and desktops) in the refurbished units have some pretty awesome video cards, but the price goes up accordingly. The laptop I bought a couple of months ago for myself had a Video 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX card in it. Works great for gaming and it was a refurb, but it wasn't exactly $500 either, wish it was.

Dang! 512 MB! I don't think you'll be having any video problems. Although that probably added a couple hundred at least. Thanks for the advice though, I'll have to look at seeing if I can get a refurbished one.

My kids both have HP's and they seem to be really good computers.  My daughters hard drive died after a year and a half, but that happens to the best of them.

She's had the thing for almost three years now. My son has had his for  almost four years with no problems.