[Aheinemann]

Go for a used Thinkpad T or X series with i7 processor, swap harddrive for SSD, maximize RAM.

Thinkpads have the advantage that they are available cheap refurbished and you still get access to spare parts (anything from keybord, screen, mainboard...)

x201t is a cheap tablet PC with digitzer, available with i7 processor extended battery life about 8hrs.

T410 and T510 are nice ones too.

each about $200-$250 refurbished, add RAM+SSD for $350 total.

[davismwfl]

Regardless of brand, this is the way to go. Get a cheap machine with decent display and CPU, then put in your own SSD and 8-16gb of RAM in it. This will last you and you won't have broken the bank to get there.

Samsung, Toshiba, Thinkpads all can be found refurbished with a reasonable warranty and are of decent quality. I personally, go with Toshiba and Samsung over others just because my luck has been awesome with them. Apple is my primary development machine now, but even a low end version isn't a budget machine.

By the time you buy a refurb and swap the SSD and Ram you are looking at ~$500 is my bet. Say $300 for the machine, $120 for the SSD and $80-100 for Ram + paying taxes and any shipping etc.

[rajeshmr]

+1 to thinkpad T series. E series is also worth considering, though the screen seems washed out and has poor viewing angles.