Cheap notebook/laptop

[RockChalk]

I have a favor if any of you computer experts can help me out. I trust people on here a little more than I do with reviews.

At any rate, my mom would like a relatively inexpensive notebook/laptop for Christmas. She's not really into the touchscreen stuff, really just something that has the traditional keyboard, touchpad and screen. Literally, she only needs it for web-browsing, email, and watching movies.

Do you any of you have any solid recommendations for something like that?

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

I have a favor if any of you computer experts can help me out. I trust people on here a little more than I do with reviews.

At any rate, my mom would like a relatively inexpensive notebook/laptop for Christmas. She's not really into the touchscreen stuff, really just something that has the traditional keyboard, touchpad and screen. Literally, she only needs it for web-browsing, email, and watching movies.

Do you any of you have any solid recommendations for something like that?

Chromebook. Won't bloat. Won't get viruses. Once she gets into the google ecosystem (with a google account, gmail, drive, chome login, etc..) then everything will work more seamlessly than anything else she could use.

Only problem: if she doesn't have internet and isn't streaming her movies (if she wants to watch DVDs in a DVD drive), then you may have issues with the Chromebook.

[Fish]

No offense, but you don't really need much in the way of recommendations if your only requirements are having a keyboard, touchpad, and screen. Literally any laptop you look at will have those features. Just buy the 2nd cheapest one and call it good. You should be able to find one in the $300-400 range that will last 4-5 years. Lenovo or Dell are generally my recommendations, but I really don't think it matters much these days. Laptops are cheap and easily replaceable. Get something with at least 8GB of RAM, preferably more. Ask her if she needs a 10-key keyboard or not. You can find them with or without the 10-key, and generally the ones without have slightly bigger keys which old people appreciate.

[RockChalk]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Chromebook. Won't bloat. Won't get viruses. Once she gets into the google ecosystem (with a google account, gmail, drive, chome login, etc..) then everything will work more seamlessly than anything else she could use.

Only problem: if she doesn't have internet and isn't streaming her movies (if she wants to watch DVDs in a DVD drive), then you may have issues with the Chromebook.

Everything she uses it for will pretty much be at home, with WiFi, so it should always be connected.

She's already into the google system, but she doesn't use it. She still uses an AOL email and refuses to change.

[RockChalk]

Originally Posted by Fish

No offense, but you don't really need much in the way of recommendations if your only requirements are having a keyboard, touchpad, and screen. Literally any laptop you look at will have those features. Just buy the 2nd cheapest one and call it good. You should be able to find one in the $300-400 range that will last 4-5 years. Lenovo or Dell are generally my recommendations, but I really don't think it matters much these days. Laptops are cheap and easily replaceable. Get something with at least 8GB of RAM, preferably more. Ask her if she needs a 10-key keyboard or not. You can find them with or without the 10-key, and generally the ones without have slightly bigger keys which old people appreciate.

Well I was really just looking for any suggestions of good value and anything to stay away from. Things like that.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Chromebook. Won't bloat. Won't get viruses. Once she gets into the google ecosystem (with a google account, gmail, drive, chome login, etc..) then everything will work more seamlessly than anything else she could use.

Only problem: if she doesn't have internet and isn't streaming her movies (if she wants to watch DVDs in a DVD drive), then you may have issues with the Chromebook.

If you go the Chromebook route, just understand that they do not run Windows. So if she will need any Windows-based software, you'll have to verify ahead of time that there will be a Chrome alternative. Almost everyone I know who's gotten a Chromebook have gotten frustrated at its lack of functionality in some way compared to full blown laptops. They can serve as great devices if you understand their limitations ahead of time and are OK with it. Most people don't understand that though.

[adair]

so how much will you spend?