082009_rg_walmartlaptop_01.jpgWith a lot of students heading back to dorms and apartments, we know that budgets will be tight. That being said, it's safe to say that almost all students need laptops. It's an essential tool to work with in school, plus nothing really beats the convenience of a laptop. That being said, it's surprising how expensive they can become. How would you like to get a great laptop for about half the price of an iPhone?

082009_rg_walmartlaptop_02.jpgIf you are looking for a cheap laptop to take to school, then this is the one for you. The Toshiba Satellite L355 is currently being sold at Walmart for $348. That chunk of change nets you a 17-inch display with 1,440 x 900, a Celeron processor, 3GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive. You naturally get a DVD combo drive. Its price is $350, which is about the price you pay for a netbook. It's kind of hard to believe that you can get a full fledged laptop for that amount of money.

082009_rg_walmartlaptop_03.jpgThat's not all. This isn't just any laptop. It's a good laptop. This laptop was recently tested by Laptop Mag and the review was pretty favorable. The critics were stunned at how well this cheap machine performed. The total weight of this thing is about 7 lbs. The display is good and bright, the keyboard works well, and the six-cell battery gets you 2.5 hours of real-world autonomy, which is more than acceptable. Laptop Mag says that it offers specs and performance that is comparable with machines that cost $250 more. It's perfect as the extra computer in your home, or that laptop that you need for school. At this price, parents won't have trouble getting one or more for their children. This laptop doesn't come with a webcam. that's probably the only downside of this notebook. Also, you don't get any fancy designs and launch buttons. This is a barebones system that will work well, but has no frills. You can get this laptop online or at any Walmart store, though it's best to checkup on store stock before heading there.

[via Engadget]