Question:
Computer for Mom and 4 year old
OK, with everybody's help yesterday I was able to find myself a very nice notebook pc. Now, my mission is to find a notebook for a 4 year old's entertainment and my wife to essentially read email on. Your help is appreciated.
1) What is your budget?
Under $700 would be great. Frankly the cheaper the better as long it is a decent rig.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Mostly web surfing. Some elmentary school games. Minor photo retouching with Paint Shop Pro 8 or Photoshop Elements.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
90% at home.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Simple elementary games. Most online kids games from Disney and NickJr, but a few simple learning games for sure.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
nope
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
couple of hours
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
nope
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
US
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
widescreen if the price is right otherwise it doesn't matter
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Doesn't matter
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
Doesn't matter
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Doesn't matter
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Nope
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
few years
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
Doesn't matter
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
yes. DVD R?W would be nice
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
hmmm ummm how about the toshiba tecra a6 and a7?? the a6 is 14 inches from memory, but the a7 might be out of your budget... and its battery life is a crap 2 hours max...
you see because you will be doing some photoshop etc i dunno if i can recommend you anything too low end... but, if the operative word is minor, then try a low end asus or the toshiba satellite 100's... they are always great value for money seriously...
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
You can get some cheap laptops from lenovo. The build quality would be a plus if a 4 year old is using it.
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
She won't be using it for any crazy photoshop stuff. Maybe just a red eye fix or a crop. She usually uses the desktop for that stuff anyway.
Looking around the site I also noticed a review that indicated the Inspiron B120 as pretty decent.
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
Hi Splork,
Why dont you look at the Compaq line....the starting prices are low for a 15"..if you put in a AMD chip or Core Solo instead of the Celeron you will get the system you are looking for..
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
The Compaq Presario v2000 may be a good choice: you can find new it for around $400/500. For better build quality, you may turn to the HP dv5000. Also the Dell e1505 (with coupons) may be within your price range.
If you are considering buying used, an IBM/Lenovo X31 will be one of the best possible choices.
C.
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm researching those now.
Answer:
Re: Computer for Mom and 4 year old
How does a
Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Notebook with Intel® Celeron® M Processor 410 Model: dv5218nr, 512 memory, 60 gb HD, 15.4"
sound for $579?