Reliable low priced laptop

**lewisipso** · 11-28-10, 04:24 AM

To all the O/R tech savvy guru's. I have the desire to pick up laptops for my 2 youngest kids for Christmas. Since they are only 9 and 10 I don't need to shell out a boat load of money. Bare minimum is just fine. We need nothing that can run NASA from a basement. We are just looking for a good deal on something that can surf the internet, play some cartoon network/Nick Jr games and bang out a school report. What's the best deal going? Thanks

**MacLean** · 11-28-10, 05:59 AM

I'd probably check out the black friday type deals at Best Buy, Costco, etc.

Don't forget to check out Dell to see what they are offering.

**Second Chance** · 11-28-10, 07:50 AM

Lew you might also want to check out......TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics usually have some really good deals.

**pac201** · 11-28-10, 07:52 AM

+ 1 to MacLean, check out wally world on line deals. Tiger direct also may have some deals (where I got my last one with free shipping)

**Pudge** · 11-28-10, 10:27 AM

+1 to what those guys said, but also check out some netbooks. Aside from our laptops, I have a netbook and it would work out nicely for what you're looking for. Mine has Word and can bang out documents with ease.

Fairly inexpensive alternative.

**Jks9199** · 11-28-10, 11:08 AM

Given who they're for -- you might also check into reconditioned netbooks or laptops at local computer stores... Also, I got a decent deal at Micro Center last month.

**Odd** · 11-28-10, 11:27 AM

Netbooks do have their advantages, especially with kids. Powerful enough for the tasks you outlined. The size itself makes them fairly durable and the limited hardware/small screen leads to decent battery life. Their biggest downside today is they won't budge far from $300 and some 15" 'value' laptops from Toshiba/Acer/Compaq keep poking at that price point. I picked up one of those awhile back and now I'm glad I didn't go with a netbook, but my use case is different and the bigger screen was a good trade-off since my eyes aren't improving with age.

If you go the netbook route you need to be aware of some really limited machines that are around that sell on price, but are only good as dust collectors. I'd thought they were long gone, but have been seeing these pop up as stocking stuffers. (Early EeePCs, VIA offerings, some with WindowsCE, etc) Intel Atom / with Intel 950 graphics (3150) is the baseline here. Many still think it's best to stick with Win XP to run on the hardware (though more models come with Win7 Starter Edition now) and most netbooks come with 1 gig of ram, max at 2. Upgrading is for hobbyists.

Since netbooks don't have optical drives that may be bit of a bother for a little while longer. If it is, easy solution is to pick up a USB connected CD/DVD drive for software installs and share it between the two. Though discs are an issue less by the day. (Sure, can rip discs on another machine, throw the ISOs on a flash drive, blah blah, but trying not to overcomplicate)

**lewisipso** · 11-28-10, 05:42 PM

Thanks to everyone for the information!

**Ducky** · 11-28-10, 06:03 PM

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

**KaiGywer** · 11-28-10, 09:23 PM

I have this one and a year after I bought it, it is still going strong and battery life is still good. The only downside as far as I am concerned, it IS a 15" screen and as such it sucks using on an airplane (in coach anyways...lol) and it is somewhat heavy to lug around

Micro Center - eMachines eME527-2537 Laptop Computer - Black LX.NAF02.002

Edit: I just noticed it is not available online and no store in the swamp...let me know if you need a personal delivery of one

I will only charge a ride to the LA capitol...