I need a new Laptop

[vas930]

I need help.
I need a new laptop.
Its just for everyday use,email, Pelican Forum and looking on the net.
Only been on a computer for six months ,so I have no idea what to buy.
I dont mind spending a bit more if you think I should.
Hope you can help.

What should I buy?

[Dottore]

One word. Starts with an 'A'.

[jyl]

Apple.

[KFC911]

I bought a netbook before the Ipad was announced (very pleased with it), but for the OPs stated purpose, I'd think the Ipad would be a much better choice than a laptop. No way would I drop the coin for an Apple laptop for his needs, but that's just me.

[afterburn 549]

A=+

[herr_oberst]

Have you looked at a Mac Book?

[livi]

Wish I could help you Vas. If you are not going to watch movies, play large games or require very high resolution quality, I figure you can´t go awfully wrong with either of the well established brands basic models. Unless you need to have it with you on the road on a daily basis, I would however avoid the smallest screens. But maybe thats just me losing eye sight from old age..

[RedBaron]

13 Inch base Macbook Pro.

[sc_rufctr]

IBM Lenovo "Stinkpad" ................................... Professional and reliable.

[TGTIW]

You'll definitely want to finance whatever you decide to buy.

[kaisen]

You can buy basic (by today's standards) 15.6" widescreen Windows 7 Compaq, HP, Acer, Toshiba, Gateway, etc for under $300 brand new at WalMart or Best Buy.

Can't see why you'd pay significantly more for an Apple if that's all you're using it for

[kaisen]

This one is regularly on sale for under $300 (as low as $250, like Black Friday):

Walmart.com: Compaq Black 15.6" CQ57-210US Laptop PC with AMD Dual-Core C-50 Accelerated Processor, 250GB Hard Drive and Windows 7 Home Premium: Computers

[GH85Carrera]

Vas, if all you do with it is Internet & email just get an iPad with a external keyboard. Heck you may not need the extra keyboard since you said you don't type very well. I bought my wife and iPad for Christmas. She has not touched the home computer except to run one spreadsheet. She did not want to pay for the spreadsheet app for the iPad since she only runs the spreadsheet on rare occasions.

The feature she loves the most is on line books. The local library will let her download books for free. If you do much reading you will love E-books.

[stomachmonkey]

Another vote for an iPad.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by kaisen

You can buy basic (by today's standards) 15.6" widescreen Windows 7 Compaq, HP, Acer, Toshiba, Gateway, etc for under $300 brand new at WalMart or Best Buy.

Can't see why you'd pay significantly more for an Apple if that's all you're using it for

+1. You only need to get into the deep end of the laptop pool if you're actually using it on the road a lot. Most people are just looking for a portable desktop - a basic workstation that can be moved to whichever room they've settled in. For that, any old HP, Compaq, Asus or the like will do. I've got a cheap Best Buy Asus model for around the house, an iPad for casual use outside (the commute, coffee shops, etc) and a Thinkpad if I need to do serious work away from the home and office.

[porsche4life]

For just basic use, the 300 toshiba is a good choice. Toshiba makes a good laptop for the money.....


Now, if you want to step up a bit, the 13" MacBook pro is very good choice.

I'm on the go constantly, and have been carrying my 15" Pro for almost 10 months now. It still looks, feels, and performs like new.

[gr8fl4porsche]

We use the iPad 99% of the time around my house for daily internet, email, etc.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

You'll definitely want to finance whatever you decide to buy.

Only if it's a MacBook Pro.

[dad911]

I have an iPad(new), macbook(3 years old) and various laptops.

Frankly, for your use, I'd buy a $300 laptop from staples/bestbuy/etc.... If the budget is higher, iPad, but I'd recommend trying it first. The apple stores are very friendly.

@GH85Carrera: She can use googledocs, don't need wordprocessors/spreadsheet/etc.

[RWebb]

what exactly do you need now, and what will you need over the next 2-3 years?

what level of portability do you need?

what OS are you already familiar with?

how much are you willing to pay for a nice look & feel?