Best common laptop under $600

[maroon1]

This laptop is pretty good for common use
Newegg.com - Acer Extensa EX5620-4428 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T2390(1.86GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 3GB Memory DDR2 533 160GB HDD DVD Super Multi Intel GMA X3100 - Laptops / Notebooks

However, if you prefer Toshiba then get this
Newegg.com - TOSHIBA Satellite A205-S5843 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T2370(1.73GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB Memory DDR2 667 160GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA X3100 - Laptops / Notebooks

Both laptops cost $549.99

EDIT: And here is another good laptop for $529.99
Gateway M-6319 Refurbished Laptop Computer - Intel Pentium Dual Core T2370 1.73GHz, 802.11n Wireless, 2GB DDR2, 250GB HDD, DL DVDRW, 15.4" WXGA, Pacific Blue, Webcam, Windows Vista Home Premium RB-1015356R at TigerDirect.com

 

[HellFireRS]

Look into Compaq C7 series laptops, solid.

 

[leonardmp92]

Thanks guys. With the Toshiba, it only comes w/ a "recovery" disk that has Vista and all the other junk software on it. I'm having a hard time getting everything off now, it's really buggering up my machine and slowing it down. Any ideas to get it "clean"? I would like to just have the Vista OS and start clean w/ it.

 

[Jorsoft]

Nothing that I know of. You'll just have to take some time and go through the Add/Remove programs list and take everything off. Then you can use Ghost to make an image at that point so you'll have your own recovery disk. At least you'll only have to do it once that way.