I need a good $500 laptop until I can afford a Toughbbook

[Wiley50]

Maybe one I can at least get a keyboard protector

I'd like a 14-15 inch daylight readable screen
Core 2 duo, if possible

Windows 7 ultimate, same

4 gigs of ran

High grade graphics card (nvidia g force or better.

Or what's just a good $500 laptop?

[hobbit709]

1. Why 7 Ultimate?

[Old and In the Way]

2. I bought a nice Compaq Lappie last year for $379

Here's a Compaq and HP in your price range...if you need Win7 Ultimate (not sure why, the Home version seems to have your bases covered), you can probably spend the extra on that...I'd probably spring for the HP with the Intell processor and 3 Gigs of RAM for $20.00 bucks more.

I've been extremely pleased with it (Compaq CQ61) ...I bought another 2 for my kids and they've had no issues with them as well.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do?storeName=computer_store&landing=notebooks&a1=Starting+price&v1=Under+%24400&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/leftnav_starting_price_under_400