Super cheap laptop

[1GoldenSun]

I'm looking for a super cheap laptop for my high school freshman daughter for Christmas. She has over a two-hour long bus ride home from school so I want her to have something to do her homework on during the commute. She has a very nice home computer so this laptop will probably only be used when away from home.

I don't want this to have to be her main Christmas present because it's more of a need than a want, so I want something as cheap as possible. However, if I could find a really good deal on something a little nicer I would consider it, maybe up to $200, or even $250 if it's substantially better than the bare-bones cheapo.

I always use Apple products--which I know isn't in the budget for her--and don't know anything about anything else. I've heard Chromebooks are cheap.

Any ideas for a super cheap brand, or has anyone seen any sales?

 

[tvguy]

Walmart has a number of name brand laptops under $250. There are a number of places here that sell refurbished laptops with a warranty, and you might be able to snag an Apple for that price there.

 

[PerfessorZ]

I'd shy away from Chromebooks based on your intended application. Chromebooks historically have been very internet-dependent and if wifi is not something most school buses come equipped with. I've heard marketing that newer Chromebooks are building more features/storage into the devices so you can do more off-line, but you should definitely research any models you're considering to make sure they'll handle her needs.

Put me in the refurbished laptop columnm too. I've seen plenty of refurbs under $200 if you don't mind giving a non-"new" gift.

 

[_19disnA]

Might also consider what specific format the h.s. wants for various reports/papers/etc. Usually, the Apple based products vs. PC based machines have file compatibility issues. Even if you can translate/convert from one to the other, some formatting issue may occur. Refurbished is a good idea as long as there is a warranty with it. Also check on how long the battery lasts on a charge since her 2hr bus ride might run down some of the smaller batteries. I would not buy a used machine on Ebay from a private party since you never know the condition of the PC and probably has no warranty.

 

[clori]

Will she be able to do much homework without use of the internet? My friend travels a lot with her son and found it better for him to have a tablet with internet from the cell phone company to actually get school work done.

 

[Nayan]

I would find out what she actually needs (Apple vs Microsoft, wifi vs files from hard drive, etc) before plunking down money.

 

[tvguy]

Good Lord, I missed the HIGH SCHOOL Freshman part....with a TWO HOUR bus ride? I'm trying to figure out how that is even possible.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Good Lord, I missed the HIGH SCHOOL Freshman part....with a TWO HOUR bus ride? I'm trying to figure out how that is even possible.

She goes to a magnet school downtown. I can drive her in but I'm not available in the afternoon to pick her up. She takes one bus from school to a "hub," then switches to the bus that comes to our part of the county. School gets out at 3:20 and she doesn't get home until 5:40, and if she had a laptop she could knock out a lot more of her homework than she's able to without one.

I guess I might have to pay for a hotspot, though. I have't looked onto how much that would cost.

 

[kandb]

She goes to a magnet school downtown. I can drive her in but I'm not available in the afternoon to pick her up. She takes one bus from school to a "hub," then switches to the bus that comes to our part of the county. School gets out at 3:20 and she doesn't get home until 5:40, and if she had a laptop she could knock out a lot more of her homework than she's able to without one.

I guess I might have to pay for a hotspot, though. I have't looked onto how much that would cost.

Wow, your daughter is a trooper. Great idea for her getting homework done since that is a lot of down time to travel, best to use the time wisely.

 

[imbatman]

I'd shy away from Chromebooks based on your intended application.

This. DH nearly hisses when "Chromebook" is mentioned. They are cheap for a reason. You can find some great refurbished ones or try and hold out until Black Friday. There are actually some ads up on blackfriday.com that have laptops.

 

[tvguy]

She goes to a magnet school downtown. I can drive her in but I'm not available in the afternoon to pick her up. She takes one bus from school to a "hub," then switches to the bus that comes to our part of the county. School gets out at 3:20 and she doesn't get home until 5:40, and if she had a laptop she could knock out a lot more of her homework than she's able to without one.

I guess I might have to pay for a hotspot, though. I have't looked onto how much that would cost.

A hot spot is about $50 plus the data charge each month. We were lucky, our kids Private High School is 13 miles each way, but the car pool system the school oversees is amazing. We are lucky as far as the public schools go. None of the 4 specialty high schools is more than 4 miles from our house.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Does anyone know anything about this brand? It sure is cheap.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EVOO-11-...ro-HDMI-Webcam-Silver/441966747?selected=true

I'm also gong to look for a refurbished one; I like that idea.

Per your advice I'm leaning away from the Chromebook, and I don't want to pay $50 a month for a hot spot. I think she can upload assignments in advance though, while she still has access to the school's wifi. If she has notes and sources saved she should be able to work on papers. She also enjoys creative writing as a hobby, so she could always just write during the bus ride, and save any homework she needs internet access to do when she gets home.

I just really hate the idea of all that "wasted" time. I mean, everyone needs down time, and there is something to be said for looking out the window and daydreaming, but no one needs almost two and a half hours of it!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We just got both kids a Samsung chromebook on amazon for Christmas for $218. It seems to get pretty good reviews. we also have a very nice desktop at home.

 

[eyor44]

Just an FYI. We got our DD a cheap laptop a last year. It is more frustration than its worth. We got it from Target and I don't remember the name offhand but it is slow and takes forever to do anything. Just do your homework and research as if you were purchasing an expensive one. You want to make sure it can do what she needs. My DD still has to use my work laptop for almost all of her homework.

 

[yoopermom]

I would go to slickdeals.net and set up an alert, click on "deal alerts", and then either click on (if there is one) or create one (if there isn't) for "laptop" or "computer". At this time of year I check it daily for great bargains, and it's how I got my laptop two Novembers ago for under $200. If all she wants it for is word processing, you won't need to spend more than that (although I would stick to a trusted name). Two other thoughts: she should backup anything she does frequently, since there's the possibility of damage or theft with something she's going to be hauling around daily, and if she could download library books (most have overdrive) or kindle books (if you have prime membership), so she could read off of it as well even without wifi. Watch the weight on them, some are heavier than others, and she will be toting it daily.

Terri

 

[1GoldenSun]

Two other thoughts: she should backup anything she does frequently, since there's the possibility of damage or theft with something she's going to be hauling around daily, and if she could download library books (most have overdrive) or kindle books (if you have prime membership), so she could read off of it as well even without wifi. Watch the weight on them, some are heavier than others, and she will be toting it daily.

Good things to keep in mind; thanks!

 

[BadPinkTink]

I bought a cheap 10 inch screen Leveno Laptop for client meetings out and about. It cost about €250. It has a small memory but is very light and easy to carry around

Also in the Windows V Mac I would ask her which applications and software she uses in school or at home, as programs and files and user experiences are different.

Most cheap Windows laptops you buy just the machine. You then need to buy Microsoft Office and install this separately. You also will need to buy antivirus or add the new laptop as a new device to your existing antivirus account.

Also ASK her about using a laptop on her commute for homework. I have a 90 minute bus commute to some clients and I have just finished a 4 year BA degree. There is no way I would use a laptop during my commute to work on my college assignments. I used that time as downtime, to unwind and generally have a digital detox. So much of our lives are screen time now, that after work I just need to clear my head. I read actual physical books, I listened to music and yes most times I just stared out of the window and spaced out.

While YOU might see her commute as a waste of precious study time, she might want some me time, to unwind and clear her mind. Everyone works different, so what you would do may not be the best approach for her

 

[1GoldenSun]

Also ASK her about using a laptop on her commute for homework. I have a 90 minute bus commute to some clients and I have just finished a 4 year BA degree. There is no way I would use a laptop during my commute to work on my college assignments. I used that time as downtime, to unwind and generally have a digital detox. So much of our lives are screen time now, that after work I just need to clear my head. I read actual physical books, I listened to music and yes most times I just stared out of the window and spaced out.

While YOU might see her commute as a waste of precious study time, she might want some me time, to unwind and clear her mind. Everyone works different, so what you would do may not be the best approach for her

This is a really good point! Initially I thought the same--that she might want this time to unwind and relax a little and then hit the books when she got home. But since she only has a few hours at home every night between dinner and bedtime she wants to use that for "fun," and would rather get the homework over with on the bus.

 

[BadPinkTink]

@1GoldenSun thats great, she sounds very much in the same position I was. One of my classmates used to do college assignments on a laptop on the bus, so it can work for some people

Another option is would she be able to stay in school in the library for an hour or so when class finishes? I found going to the college library for almost 2 hours after work alot more beneficial then trying to work on the bus or trying to work after my bus journey. Your brain is still in work mode so you get things done, then the commute to unwind and space out, then fun time at home.

 

[clm10308]

I have had good luck with an HP Steam that I got at Walmart. I used it as a travel computer for a job back when the company did not provide laptops, the I gave it to my college age daughter. It is 5 yrs old now and still working. The case is broken on one career from being dropped too many times, but jot bad for a cheep laptop.