http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101252
499$, free shipping
CPU performance is between a desktop AMD Phenom II X4 820 and 945.
GPU performance in between a desktop Radeon HD 5450 and a 5550.
AMD A-Series A6-3400M APU =
= Quad core @1.4 CPU (with max dynamic core speed @2.3)
+ Radeon HD 6520G on-chip GPU
4 GB of system memory (max 8 GB supported)
500 GB hard disk
15.6" screen, 1366 x 768 resolution
1.3 Megapixel HD Webcam (1280 x 1024)
6-cell Li-ion (4400 mAh) Battery ("up to 4h")
Full keyboard (including numpad)
Multi-gesture Touch pad
DVD Super Multi (writer)
...
...
I know you said you don't expect much from the graphics side, but then again, if this is what's available at that price range, why not take it ?
This particular model of APU (CPU+GPU combo) also offers incredibly low power consumption for its performance, so the battery should last quite a while even while gaming -- the whole APU is rated at only 35W TDP, the whole machine while operational should not go much over 60W power consumption even while gaming and probably even below 30W on regular non-gaming use.
I can't speak for this PARTICULAR laptop build out of personal experience, but the reviews circulating regarding this particular chip in just about any laptop are very favourable.
There are other similar ones in the same price range, maybe you like those more. This just had free shipping, there were a few slightly cheaper ones but with added shipping you end up almost in the same place, and they had a weaker processor (faster clock speed per core, but only two instead of four cores ; also a noticeably weaker graphics section of the chip).
Personally, I would recommend something akin to this.
It's the best value for money as far as laptops in the 500$ range are concerned, in my opinion.
If you'd be willing to spend a bit more cash, I would say go with this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834214473
Quad-Core A8-3500M (@1.5, max @2.4, even better video chip), 6 GB of memory, 17.3" 1600 x 900 screen, 640 GB hard disk.
For 730$ plus shipping, 745$ or thereabouts. And I think plus some taxes too.