CompuServe Messages

Question for techies. This has nothing to do with Amigas, but: I need to buy quickly a laptop/notebook class clone for use in a 3rd world country – where warrantees mean nothing, parts are unavailable, power is iffy, etc. I have no idea how the user/buyer sees the tradeoff between reliability and price. And it is not possible to ask him before shipping time. I can get a namebrand 386SX with 1 or 2 MB ram and 40MB HD for about $1800; I can get an "almost name brand" like an Everex Tempo for $1600; or I can get a "source unknown" clone for $1300. I have tried out the cheapie – it seems ok – if it were for me, I'd get it, knowing Silicon Valley's a shout away and I could replace whatever I smoked. But what about the guy 12000 miles from here? Knowing electronics tend to fail fast or not fail for years, what if I got the cheapie and ran it myself for a couple months to burn it in and make sure all is well? I want to save the buyer all I can, but I also want reasonable reliability. What do I buy?? Suggestions appreciated.