topic Re: Need a Cheap Laptop in Electronics

Need a Cheap Laptop

LuvMyBoyz — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:32:55 GMT

Hi everyone -

I'm hoping to get some good suggestions. We are looking for a very inexpensive laptop for my mother-in-law. She is up in years and only wants it for email and surfing the web every now and again. We do not want to spend a lot of money. Does anyone have any ideas? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Many thanks.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

mima — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:42:35 GMT

What about one of those Chromebooks? If she has wifi, you could get her a larger tablet.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

LuvMyBoyz — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:08:28 GMT

I don't believe she has Wifi. I will look into Chromebook. Thank you!

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

susan kay — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:40:05 GMT

I recd an email from Dell about their President's weekend specials. Sorry I deleted it, so I can't give you any specifics, but you may want to check out their website for a smaller laptop. Also, hsn may have some laptop specials this weekend. They sometimes run holiday weekend specials, including Asus options. Am guessing that you don't want to go with a larger tablet, but you might want to take a peak at a few for comparison.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

mima — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:18:51 GMT

Wifi is easy to put in if she would want it. I'm not sure, but she might need wifi to use the Chromebook. I don't know if you can connect the cable directly to it or not. You might want to check that out first.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

depglass — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:11:26 GMT

Yes you need some sort of computer service with the Chromebook. Everything is done on the internet. But you said she wants it for email and surfing, so she needs the internet.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

free-spirit — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:14:03 GMT

Apple ipad ... or mini-ipad.

It is intuitive to learn, almost impossible to screw up, the best customer service there is and no viruses/malware.

You could get one with both a 4G and Wireless option.

Do you have an apple store close by? I would take your MIL there to look at the products.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

peggyhbsl — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:31:34 GMT

I love my 17"" HP from qvc that was the tsp back in nov 2012

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

glb613 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:18:24 GMT

I wouldn't get her a Windows computer unless you live close and can do the maintenance for her.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

terrier3 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:20:16 GMT

If all she needs is a device for e-mail and web surfing, go with some kind of tablet.

iPads are very simple to use.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

terrier3 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:21:46 GMT

On 2/14/2014 free-spirit said:
Apple ipad ... or mini-ipad.

It is intuitive to learn, almost impossible to screw up, the best customer service there is and no viruses/malware.

You could get one with both a 4G and Wireless option.

Do you have an apple store close by? I would take your MIL there to look at the products.

ITA. I tried to teach my aunt (in her 70s and a stroke survivor) on a Windows system...she never was able to master it.

Then my son brought over his mini iPad - BINGO - she learned in 30 minutes and was off and running!

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

mima — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:23:18 GMT

On 2/14/2014 depglass said:
Yes you need some sort of computer service with the Chromebook. Everything is done on the internet. But you said she wants it for email and surfing, so she needs the internet.

I'm not sure who you are talking to. I know she needs the internet. I didn't know if she wanted something that would hook directly to the internet cable or if she would want to put wifi in.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

mima — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:23:55 GMT

On 2/14/2014 free-spirit said:
Apple ipad ... or mini-ipad.

It is intuitive to learn, almost impossible to screw up, the best customer service there is and no viruses/malware.

You could get one with both a 4G and Wireless option.

Do you have an apple store close by? I would take your MIL there to look at the products.

She said cheap.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

chickenbutt — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:36:45 GMT

One of the lesser expensive brands that tends to get great reviews is Asus.

I certainly wouldn't go so cheap as to get something of poor quality. Better to save that money toward better quality, IMO, if you are really looking super cheap. A lot of really cheap electronics fall under the category of 'you get what you pay for'.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

SeaGal — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 20:05:19 GMT

Get her a chromebook, you dont have to worry about viruses and it goes and goes! And fast. This is a very basic computer and I would definitely recommend it for what she needs, approx $250.00

My husband has a Mac desktop but I love my chromebook so much I bought him one too (for Christmas)! Only so he could kick back and surf without being tied to the desktop. They make a Samsung and an Acer. I have had mine for 2+ years and love mine. He loves his new toy too!

eta~ basically, you cant skru up a chromebook!

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

gardenman — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:18:15 GMT

A Chromebook is a great option. HP is now also making Chromebooks and I think I read recently of another manufacturer joining the Chromebook lineup. The eleven inch Asus is now only $199 whle the other makes are a tick or two more. For most users they're a nearly perfect computer at a pretty low price.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

goodstuff — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:22:04 GMT

Check Overstock.com and Walmart.com for lower-end computers. Or you might check in your town for a store that sells used, reconditioned computers. That would be very inexpensive and may be all she needs for what she wants to do. She will need some kind of internet service to get online.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

glb613 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:29:53 GMT

On 2/14/2014 SeaGal said:
Get her a chromebook, you dont have to worry about viruses and it goes and goes! And fast. This is a very basic computer and I would definitely recommend it for what she needs, approx $250.00

My husband has a Mac desktop but I love my chromebook so much I bought him one too (for Christmas)! They make a Samsung and an Acer. I have had mine for 2+ years and love mine.

eta~ basically, you cant skru up a chromebook!

That may be the answer. Chromebooks are inexpensive and you won't be there every week fixing the problems caused by malware or lack of maintenance.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

SeaGal — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:58:53 GMT

On 2/14/2014 gardenman said:
A Chromebook is a great option. HP is now also making Chromebooks and I think I read recently of another manufacturer joining the Chromebook lineup. The eleven inch Asus is now only $199 whle the other makes are a tick or two more. For most users they're a nearly perfect computer at a pretty low price.

LOL, I cant believe I did this, yes my hubbys new chromebook is an HP, the screen measures 14 in, mine is an Acer, it is an 11 1/2 inch screen. Both a very nice.

It really does zip to wherever I want to go, I'm still amazed but its speed.

Re: Need a Cheap Laptop

SeaGal — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 22:03:51 GMT

On 2/14/2014 glb613 said:
On 2/14/2014 SeaGal said:
Get her a chromebook, you dont have to worry about viruses and it goes and goes! And fast. This is a very basic computer and I would definitely recommend it for what she needs, approx $250.00

My husband has a Mac desktop but I love my chromebook so much I bought him one too (for Christmas)! They make a Samsung and an Acer. I have had mine for 2+ years and love mine.

eta~ basically, you cant skru up a chromebook!

That may be the answer. Chromebooks are inexpensive and you won't be there every week fixing the problems caused by malware or lack of maintenance.

This is the reason my chromebook and I are buddies! Totally hastle free!

eta~ LuvMyBoyz if you do check out the chromebook, the Q and I think Shophq still sells them, I got mine at the Google store (online) as I didnt want all the accessories they added in here with an added cost. I purchased my husbands at buydig.com, something like that. I just googled to see who had them for the best price at the time!