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Lightweight Laptop

Please can someone give me some ideas on what I should be buying when looking for a new laptop? I've not got a clue about all the technical jargon and would really appreciate some help.

I'm basically looking for a lightweight laptop that I can use for surfing the net and checking emails. I don't think I'll need much memory as I currently already have 2 desktops for that. All I want to be able to do is sit in the garden when it's nice (haha!) and be able to carry it around the house. I'm disabled and have problems carrying heavy things, that's why I need something lightweight. I may also use it to watch DVDs and for using Skype (so possibly a decent webcam needed??). Also, I'd prefer wi-fi built in.

Any suggestions as to what I should be looking at? Or even better - any suggestions for actual retailers?

Thanks. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Laura
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Comments

  • 4743hudsonj
    4743hudsonj Posts: 3,298 Forumite
    Please can someone give me some ideas on what I should be buying when looking for a new laptop? I've not got a clue about all the technical jargon and would really appreciate some help.

    I'm basically looking for a lightweight laptop that I can use for surfing the net and checking emails. I don't think I'll need much memory as I currently already have 2 desktops for that. All I want to be able to do is sit in the garden when it's nice (haha!) and be able to carry it around the house. I'm disabled and have problems carrying heavy things, that's why I need something lightweight. I may also use it to watch DVDs and for using Skype (so possibly a decent webcam needed??). Also, I'd prefer wi-fi built in.

    Any suggestions as to what I should be looking at? Or even better - any suggestions for actual retailers?

    Thanks. Any advice greatly appreciated.

    Laura

    go for a netbook, small screen, very light! and cheap!

    eee pc's are particularly good and come in a variety of designs
    http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/dix_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1569016812.1242662951@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgeadehfefhlfhcflgceggdhhmdgmh.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=491579&category_oid=-36204


    theyre a good start

    btw i wouldnt buy from dixons but theres a good selection of netbooks on there that you can then go elsewhere and buy
    Back by no demand whatsoever.
  • Hi Laura. If your main requirement is email and web surfing then you really don't need to worry about the technical specification, any laptop will fit the bill in this regard, so don't concern yourself with processor speed, memory and hard disk specification. What you need to ask yourself is what screen size you would be comfortable with and how much you want to spend. If you would be ok with a 10 or 12 inch screen then a 'netbook' would probably meet your needs. These are small, lightweight, have built in wireless, and normally very good battery life. My favourite is the samsung NC20 but there are plenty of others to consider.
    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/154865

    The downside of netbooks is that they don't have built in CD/DVD drives but there are plenty of portable USB CD/DVD drives available. Or you could go for a 12 or 13" screen standard laptop which will have CD/DVD built in albeit a bit heavier and significantly more expensive.

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/154865

    Hope this helps, please post any further questions
  • seadee
    seadee Posts: 400 Forumite
    what about an ibook?

    ticks all the boxes.
  • donny-gal
    donny-gal Posts: 4,661 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If your DVD use is just infrequent for when travelling, you can always but one or two on a good sized memory stick - smaller and lighter to carry.
    DG
    Member #8 of the SKI-ers Club
    Why is it I have less time now I am retired then when I worked?
  • 4743hudsonj
    4743hudsonj Posts: 3,298 Forumite
    seadee wrote: »
    what about an ibook?

    ticks all the boxes.

    and 10 years old:rolleyes:
    4 at the most i think? but still

    bit out of date.
    Back by no demand whatsoever.
  • seadee
    seadee Posts: 400 Forumite
    silly me I meant an macbook!

    Thanks for pointing it out.
  • beardiedog
    beardiedog Posts: 666 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    seadee wrote: »
    silly me I meant an macbook!

    Expensive! :eek:
  • isofa
    isofa Posts: 6,091 Forumite
    edited 18 May 2009 at 6:46PM
    Samsung NC10 and NC20 Netbooks, gets rave reviews, one of the best "netbooks" available: http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=itbusiness&type=notebookcomputers&subtype=nseries&model_cd=NC10RH/XEU

    A netbook is a light super portable laptop, without CD/DVD drive, with a lower powered processor and simpler OS (XP Home, Linux etc). And fits your requirements perfectly.

    Plenty of good reviews from sites like PC Pro, PC Shopper etc of these devices, avoid the Dell Mini, it's poor!

    NC10 review: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/247440/samsung-nc10.html
    NC20 review: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/249540/samsung-nc20-review.html
    (both from this year)
  • seadee
    seadee Posts: 400 Forumite
    beardiedog wrote: »
    Expensive! :eek:

    Quality ;)
  • ginger691
    ginger691 Posts: 31 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    have to say I've got the NC20 and it's brilliant. great for Internet, light weight although no Dvd but that only means more battery life and less weight . if you don't mind he smaller screen I would recommend the nc10. Personally, I needed the bigger screen for web development and coding, but for your needs you will prob find this adequate.
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