WWYD: Need a laptop for internet/email?

[ChefGirl]

Well, my Dad wants a laptop so he can use it mostly for internet/email, etc. I told him not to waste any $$ and just wait. Our HP laptop somehow is not working with internet right now. I'm not sure if it's the wireless card or what. Dad has a tendency of wasting $$ on anything he just WANT!

Anyway, any cheap laptop you would recommend for mostly internet/email uses? I would really appreciate it.

[BabyBearsMom]

I would look into a netbook if all you need is e-mail and basic internet. They are pretty cheap and small.

[DebbieJ]

yeah, I was going to suggest a Netbook. I'm thinking about getting one for myself cuz my old laptop bit the dust recently. I still have my desktop for all my main office needs, but I want something for the kitchen/living room to be able to go online to look something up, check email, search for recipes, etc, and not leave the kids unattended. LOL

[ChefGirl]

Does anyone know how mcuh they cost? Is netbook like a iPad or something?

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

Does anyone know how mcuh they cost? Is netbook like a iPad or something?

It is a small, say 10" screen laptop, with less power, memory, etc. $250-$400ish. I am looking for a new laptop, my dog ate keys off of mine....

[Smillow]

I have seen dozens of the for under $300. Check the Sunday sales inserts. They are basically small laptops w/no CD/DVD drive (but you can add them externally). You can also find very basic laptops for right around $300.

[codex57]

If you're willing to pay $300-500, you can get a really decently specced full laptop. I'm not a fan of netbooks. The small keyboard, screen, and low specs isn't worth the $50. If you pay over $300 for a notebook, you better want that small screen and tiny keyboard cuz you can get more for your money with a regular laptop.

Since this is for an older person, I really don't know if the small screen of a netbook, along with the smaller keyboard, is going to be good for their eyesight and stuff.

[kristabelle]

For just email and internet, I'd go for an iPad. It is the most incredible device I've ever owned. It may be a little pricier, but it's the most intuitive device you'll find, and the ability to easily zoom and scroll makes navigating so much easier. Plus, the free apps on the app store are great, iBooks is incredible and not expensive if you like to read the free classics. If your dad got an iPad, I bet he'd start using for lots of other things.

[KrisM]

If you're willing to pay $300-500, you can get a really decently specced full laptop. I'm not a fan of netbooks. The small keyboard, screen, and low specs isn't worth the $50. If you pay over $300 for a notebook, you better want that small screen and tiny keyboard cuz you can get more for your money with a regular laptop.

Since this is for an older person, I really don't know if the small screen of a netbook, along with the smaller keyboard, is going to be good for their eyesight and stuff.

I agree with Codex. I love my netbook, but I don't use it on even a semi-daily basis as the screen is small. I don't think I'd recommend it for an older person for that reason.

And, you can get a laptop for about as cheap as a netbook, so it's not like it's saving much.

[Twin Mom]

I recently saw a full size laptop by emachine at Walmart for $298.

[Penny's Pappa]

I recently saw a full size laptop by emachine at Walmart for $298.

My wife had an eMachines desktop one time. It didn't last a year. The old adage, "You get what you pay for" certainly applies, IMO.

I was going to say Netbook, but Codex makes a very valid point. I say spend a little more and get a full-sized laptop or an iPad.

[Smillow]

I bought my HP laptop @ Walmart last November for $298 - it was an early Black Friday deal. So far, so good!

[infomama]

I wouldn't get a netbook as the prices of laptops are so low now. Check out Best Buy..you can get an a really nice computer for less than $350 easy. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d3031 2d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%2311a~~cabcat05020 00%23%230%23%23o~~nf865%7C%7C57696e646f7773&sc=abComputerSP&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d 30312d3031%7E%7Ecabcat0500000%23%230%23%2311a%7E%7 Ecabcat0502000%23%230%23%23o%7E%7Enf865%7C%7C57696 e646f7773&sc=abComputerSP&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&usc=abcat0500000)