Laptop Woes

I need a new laptop. My "old" one, a Gateway, needs a new motherboard. It will cost me $400 to get it fixed, and the refurbished computer only cost about $500 to begin with. I figure it's time to update. Unfortunately my budget this time around is once again $500, and I'm not willing to go the refurb route again. It seems that means I'll have to settle for an off-brand computer.

So, I have a question for you, my readers. Do you have any experience with off-brand computers like Acer, or Everex? The specs include a 512MB memory and 80GB hard drive, the same as my current laptop, I just worry about the performance of the computer...