where to find cheap laptops?

[descovy]

I have a hope to get my parents a laptop for Christmas. They are in their 60's, full time RV-ers and not very tech savvy. But they are finding more and more that whenever they want "info" people/businesses direct them to the web.

My aunt & uncle will go in "half-sies" with us, and possibly my little brother. So our budget is 300-400. Black Friday is out of the question as we will be celebrating at a camp no where near a city.

I dont think we need much, just wifi internet capability. I hear some people have problems with MS Vista and want to learn more about that. Would be willing to go refurb if someone was reputable that way. If it all helps we are in the Houston/Austin TX areas

 

[solfan68]

The new Dell Inspiron Mini currently sells for $399 and has Windows XP. Its also smaller(as the name implies) and would likely stow away nicely on an RV. If the main focus is for web access, this may fit the bill.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Target also sells the "mini" laptops in your price range.

 

[Kies99]

You want to look for a new range of products called "Netbooks". These are like mini laptops. They have a lot of the same productivity software (ie: Windows XP), but not a lot of additional add-ons. The plus is that they have beefed-up internet functions (like automatically connecting to wi-fi hotspots, etc...).

They are physically smaller than most laptops as well as the cost is lower. This might be exactly what you need.

I forget the maker, but as the other poster mentions Target sells one. I remember checking into it and it got really good reviews.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm typing on my 'pre black Friday' special from Best Buy ....online it was 299.00- emachine- just fine for basic surfing,basic study uses which I bought it for- sign up for forums that keep posted on new deals,there are sure to be plenty this season-
If I could buy what I really wanted,well,that's a whole othere bundle of money,but this works just fine,and the price was great!
oops,it's a laptop,160 GB etc etc...

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I just saw the Dell Mini and an Acer mini in Staples last night. both were just over $300 and pretty cool. I think that small keyboard would possibly be an issue with older folks, but you can always add a full size USB keyboard.

We got a flexible fold-up one at staples last night for $10.

Good luck - great gift idea too!

 

[themarquis]

yeah, the mini "netbooks" are great. You may want to make sure you pick one with windows XP because if they need help using their laptop, you and other people will be most familiar with it (some come with a type of Linux, which is a great operating system, but it won't be so familiar to people).

Also, just FYI laptops are soooo cheap these days, you could also choose a full sized one for about 400 or 500 dollars. Dell has entry level laptops for this price that are quite decent (I am typing on one right now! ). Make sure you check their laptops for home and small business (the small business ones are pretty much identical but often a little cheaper).

 

[cole6179]

I just got an email for a $399 Acer laptop at tigerdirect.com. We order a lot of computer stuff from tigerdirect. My dh loves them.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...1761BY&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1761-_-laptop

 

[T. Lynn]

With the mini laptops, is there a CD drive?

I thought about getting one for DD but she has a lot of learning CD games.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's a bit more than your price range, but the Gateway T-6330U is getting very good reviews on value-for-money. It's $499 most places. (One of its top selling points is good battery life, which I would think would be important in an RV.)

I'd be wary of a netbook for older folks, because of eyesight issues. Small screens tend to be problematic as people get older. Most people I know who are over age 55 prefer a 17" screen if they can get one. (Which would be a challenge at this pricepoint, unless it was a refurb.)

 

[shoes99]

I don't know the ages, but make sure their eyesight can tolerate the small screens. I had to buy the biggest screen Dell Inspiron because of my failing eyesight and I was only 59 at the time of purchase.
I have a friend age 70 that bought a laptop without trying it out and now he can't see the letters, images on the screen.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Be careful on the pricing of the Acer Netbooks. Some of the hard drives are bigger than others, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. Also be aware these do not have CD drives (but you can use an external CD drive if you need to).

 

[jgates]

I am still typing on my Toshiba Satellite that we purchased from Tiger Direct a couple years ago - we often order from them for work also. Good reliable company and good prices. This one is a refurb so it was a great deal at the time.

 

[jimaok]

Watch for Black Friday deals. We picked up a Compaq HP notebook last week from WalMart for $288.00. It has a 14.5 screen 2 gig- wireless. We love it. Just be there early- our store had only 80 units.

 

[nordkin]

I just bought a Compaq 2GB 160 GB hard drive with Vista from Best buy this morning for $399. I didn't want the hassles of Black Friday and thought this was a pretty good deal.