Computers & Networking

[ctownmom]

I'm new to this forum, so please excuse me if I am repeating something that has already been covered.  I am in the midst of purchasing a new laptop.  I have never owned one before & I don't know what I'm doing.  I am on the internet searching, Facebooking, emailing, playing a few games, and adding pics.  I would also like to take it with me and be able to use it.  Would anyone like to give some suggestions on what I should look for in my new laptop.  I don't have a lot of money, I was laid off, so price is a big thing to me.  Thanks for the help!

[hockeycanuckjc Trusted Contributor]

What about a Netbook?

This sounds something thats cheap and simple for the tasks you are doing. However, Netbooks are not for everyone. Netbooks now last an average of 8 hours compared to the models before.

However Best Buy sells two models of laptops for $299

Compaq Presario Laptop with Intel® Celeron® Processor - Black

Model: CQ60-615DX | SKU: 9700678

Watch DVD movies, listen to CDs and create custom DVDs and CDs with this laptop's double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW drive. The built-in high-speed 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN makes it easy to surf the Web at Wi-Fi hotspots.Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded Which Windows 7 edition is best for you? Compare.Learn more about Intel® processors. Information provided by Intel.

 4.5 Read reviews (463)

Sale: $299.99

And there is this one :

Acer Aspire Laptop with AMD Athlon™ Single-Core Processor

Model: AS5532-5535 | SKU: 9555769

This laptop features a 15.6" CineCrystal LCD widescreen display with 1366 x 768 resolution and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics for stunning movie and gaming detail. Customize multimedia discs with the double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW drive.Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded Which Windows 7 edition is best for you? Compare.

 4.4 Read reviews (700)

Sale: $299.99

These would be more then suitable for what you are wanting to do. You dont need to overkill on technology to get the basics done.

[ctownmom]

thanks for your help on this.  Actually, those were the two I was looking at.  But, I was afraid they would be just that, cheap.  I'm not a Major game player, so I knew I wouldn't need a lot of memory, etc.  Again, thanks

[Entropy]

For your purposes they should be fine.  Build quality is often lower on cheaper units, but sometimes there are very well built cheap units and poorly built expensive units.  It can sometimes be hit-or-miss.

I have found that netbooks tend to be very well built considering their price, however if it is your only machine it is likely not a good choice.  Netbooks make for great "on the go" secondary machines, but will drive you nuts if it's your only computer.