Would this be suitable...

aconitum

I was wondering if someone could advise me.....I am starting a college course in sept and need a computer for writing essays and poss a bit of internet surfing. We have an ancient and unreliable desktop and my daughter has a laptop bought by doting grandparents but in fairness I really should have my own. I quite like the idea of a small laptop/notebook so I can work on essays in library etc. Bearing in mind that as a family we have been totally sold on the whole microsoft monopoly and everyone I know uses either Xp or vista, or earlier,how easy would it be for me to get used to linux. My funds a minimal and I may be able to afford more computer for the money if I don't have the expensive operating system. Haven't mentioned it to the family as I am sure that they will finally burn me as the witch they have always suspected I am, lol. Anyone got any thoughts, bearing in mind that I am a 35year old mum with no formal computer training.

globalds

Any idea what kind of budget you have ...You would be surprised at some of the things people find.

Jaffa.

Have you checked to see what your college offers? Some places do a laptop deal where you pay a small ammount for the computer each week and then at the end you can keep it.

Also check out this website http://www.software4students.co.uk for software, all programs on linux are, well free.

This would do the job

bobby-boy_2

Hi
if you are sure you just want to surf the net and do essay type work you could get yourself a netbook.
I picked up an Acer 110 with linux for £180 versus the XP version for £220 just before x-mas and I know they have come down in price since then.

Its light and has open office pre-installed so you can read and generate ducumets in MS office format.

Only drawback is you need to transfer data to memory stick for printing as not many printers set up for linux but you can do your printing at college or home from your desktop.
Main benefit is its lightweight for carrying about