My wife is looking for a laptop...

[MarkinAZ]

She states a "cheap" laptop. I'll rephrase it as an "inexpensive" laptop. She is in the process of writing a couple of books, and uses MSWord for her writing.

As she explains to me, she is looking for something "cheap". That is, just the MSWord program, possibly the ability to hook-up to the internet if need be and just simple basics.

As our daughter tends to monopolize the family PC more and more, and I have my company laptop to utilize, the wife needs something to tuck under her arms and retreat to the front room or bedroom to continue her journey on the books.

So, any suggestions you can think of that are "cheap" (or inexpensive:))?

[AD720]

I'm guessing if she is going to be doing a lot of Word Processing a Netbook would not be a good option.

For a full-sized laptop I like the Levenos (formally IBM) on the low-end.

Check out -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483719&CatId=2289

or a little more to get Vista Premium -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483720&CatId=2289

[leasingthisspace]

To bad you didn't post this like 12 hours ago.

Woot had a cheap one on there today.





Sorry I know it's like salt in the wound.

[floydp]

I'm guessing if she is going to be doing a lot of Word Processing a Netbook would not be a good option.

For a full-sized laptop I like the Levenos (formally IBM) on the low-end.

Check out -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483719&CatId=2289

or a little more to get Vista Premium -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483720&CatId=2289

I wouldn't go with the first one here, not enough ram and you really don't want Vista home basic. Second looks really good with 3 gigs of ram and Vista home premium. If I'm not mistaken Lenovo's have a very good keyboard which is probably what she'll need. Solid suggestion Andrew.

[AllOGistics]

The Lenovos have one of the best keyboards around. This goes back to IBM. That's what I use for my laptop, and I notice the difference when I change keyboards.

[MarkinAZ]

For a full-sized laptop I like the Levenos (formally IBM) on the low-end.

or a little more to get Vista Premium -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483720&CatId=2289 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4483720&CatId=2289)

If I'm not mistaken Lenovo's have a very good keyboard which is probably what she'll need. Solid suggestion Andrew.

The keyboard is going to be the ticket for her as well. Excellent suggestions Andrew and Frank...

[AD720]

The keyboard is going to be the ticket for her as well. Excellent suggestions Andrew and Frank...

The $499.99 one is definitely worth the extra $70.

[mosesbotbol]

Lenovo and Acer have been selling 10" screen laptops with 1-2 GB RAM for under $300. Check ecost or slickdeals; they're all over the place right now.

[MarkinAZ]

The $499.99 one is definitely worth the extra $70.

I agree Andy. She seems to like the price too:D

[Darrell]

This is a good deal.

http://shop2.frys.com/%7BxAdwpQdaUzyYzfEcrtPkmg**.node3%7D/product/5881723?site=sa:Homepage%20Pod:Pod2

[rennD]

http://www.dell.com/outlet

I never choose the "Scratched or Dented" ones. Choose certified refurbished and you can get extended warranties too.

[JJG]

She might want to consider a netbook. They're tiny and much cheaper than a full size laptop. If she just wants a computer for word processing, email, and internet, a netbook would be more than adequate.

The only downsides are the relatively small screen and lack of storage space. For text documents the storage space wouldn't really be an issue but they don't have enough room for music and video files.

[MarkinAZ]

Thanks Darrell and lots of GB on that hard drive too:tu

[MarkinAZ]

http://www.dell.com/outlet

I never choose the "Scratched or Dented" ones. Choose certified refurbished and you can get extended warranties too.

She might want to consider a netbook. They're tiny and much cheaper than a full size laptop. If she just wants a computer for word processing, email, and internet, a netbook would be more than adequate.

The only downsides are the relatively small screen and lack of storage space. For text documents the storage space wouldn't really be an issue but they don't have enough room for music and video files.

Carl and Jeff, thank you for the feedback...:tu

[SeanGAR]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114611

[GreekGodX]

Today ebay's daily deal is for a laptop that sounds perfect for what your wife needs it for http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Mini-1033CL-Intel-Atom-N270-1-60GHz-Netbook-1024_W0QQitemZ350191004438QQcategoryZ177QQcmdZView Item

[Darrell]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114611

I have to go with Sean on this one. That's a great deal and 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB HD will be plenty for her. Not to mention that is a Toshiba Satellite, it's a tried and true model and brand. :tu :tu

[MarkinAZ]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114611

Thats a nice looking laptop from Toshiba Sean. Thanks for the feedback:tu Need to do a little research now to ascertain who may actually have both of these fine laptops in their retail store so the wife can seen em' in person and get a feel for the keyboard...

[sodomanaz]

I have to go with Sean on this one. That's a great deal and 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB HD will be plenty for her. Not to mention that is a Toshiba Satellite, it's a tried and true model and brand. :tu :tu

Pray you don't get the black screen of death. I just had to give the bad news to a coworker about her son's Toshiba Satellite.

Either way, make sure to get an extended warranty.
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Might want to take a look at this (or just slickdeals in general up until you finally decide what to get!):

HP Pavilion TouchSmart tx2z - 2.2GHz, 12.1" WXGA MultiTouch, 4GB/320GB/8x DVD+-DL, Radeon HD 3200, Webcam, 6-cell, Vista Home Premium - $650 + tax; FS; FREE printer AR

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1302883

Right now HP is having a pretty slick sale. And that 12.1" is plenty portable and flashy for your wife.

[MarkinAZ]

I appreciate the feedback sod and good information to know, and that's basically what I'm doing at this point in time is some in-depth researching on a solid all-around laptop for her. It'll have to past the finger test and that will be her job:ss

[sodomanaz]

I appreciate the feedback sod and good information to know, and that's basically what I'm doing at this point in time is some in-depth researching on a solid all-around laptop for her. It'll have to past the finger test and that will be her job:ss


Check out notebookreview.com. Great info on the main site, and the forums are quite helpful as well.

Since affordability is important, make sure to spend a good amount of time with HP and Dell. Good luck! I usually spend weeks to a month when laptop shopping. It becomes an obsession up until you get the machine!