if you can...maybe check out a macbook. I had an hp notebook when i went abroad and it blew to smithereins while i was gone, i was able to salvage it but i am relatively savvy with comps etc...
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ268976619
500...which is by no means "cheap" but if you toss some new ram in it, and wipe the harddrive it will run like new...
oh, and btw, you can get word from the bookstore at mount royal for like...70 bucks? i dunno, there is a student price though (i also attend mru)