Suggest a Laptop

[BigTK]

I know that there are a million variations based on the components but... I need to get a laptop for my Wife. It will be for school projects (Word /Excel) and some internet courses via the Blackboard site at the school. What do I need? We have the desk top at home for the power house programs. I just don't want to buy a Corvette and drive it 55.


I will take all suggestions with a grain of salt so have at it…



Thanks,
T.

[Eugene]

Anything will run basic office apps.
What you need to decide is how your going to use it. Will it be always sitting on a desk or become an every day carry to class and back?
If its just sitting on a desk then the wide screen multimedia home versions are probably fine. if she is going to carry it to class consider getting a smaller lighter model in the business line as they hold up better to that kind of use. Most brands have a home and business line so there is a lot to choose from.

[dipgolf]

Being a college student, I was drawn to tablets. I've had a tablet for about 3 years now and I will never buy any other kind of notebook. My college life is basically paperless. I scan my textbooks into Acrobat Reader, take all of my notes in One Note, and scan all homework worksheets and handouts. It's great not having to take books and notebooks to class, only my convertible tablet.

[troutseth]

If it isn't going to be used for drag racing then don't buy a dragster (I liked the car reference). I would go get a Sony at your local bestbuy. We actually support them at work and they have been pretty dependable over the past few years. You can get a combination of sizes and weights. Just double check exactly what functionality you want (ports for example).

[BigTK]

Thanks for the input folks. I ended up getting her a Dell Vostro. It's the budget business class laptop, good reviews from all but the MAC users, nice and simple. I was even able to get it with XP so there is no need for her to learn a new OS.

Thanks again

T.