$300 just for hard drive replacement??
That's bit too much or may be I never had any necessity to take my comp repairs(since I repair myself) to any store, I may not have information on how they charge. But still, I would say that's too much. Add $50 on that $300 and sign up for frys newsletter, your email will be filled with great laptop offers at that price range. One time I saw Core 2 Duo laptop offer at that price range with some decent memory.
For instance, check this link below:
http://www.frys.com/product/7167982?site=sa:adpages%20page:P1_FRI%20date:101912
If I was first time customer with basic computing need, I would buy it. Approx. lil over $350 bucks, now you decide, would you pay $300 to that guy just for 1 hard disk or add $50 bucks and get the whole new laptop.

Or

this following link also has one laptop for $269. Guess what that laptop comes with 500GB/4GB RAM harddrive. lol, just saying.
http://www.frys.com/ads/computer-tablets-notebooks-accessories
These are limited offers, and if you wait till november Black Friday season, you would be in awe to get things half the price.