[quangle~wangle~q...]

I am in the market for a laptop computer, just for general word processing, email, web browsing, skype usage.

I know next to nothing.
Can someone point me in the right direction? WHat sort of features should I be looking for? Any brands to look for or avoid?

Basically any advice would be great.
Thanks

[Sammzz]

What's your budget?
I find it's a little easier when you know how much you want to spend, it narrows it down a bit cos there's way too many to choose from!

[YellowKittyGlenn]

Most brands aren't too bad the ones I favour are Sony Viao and Asus.
If you want to use with skype get one that has an inbuilt webcam so you don't have to buy extras. Try and get a package that they will load/give you office for no extra.

[Soprano-Cat]

I had nothing but trouble with my ASUS and got rubbish servicing/repair to top it off.

If you're not planning on anything too fancy, a netbook might be a better option. They're a lot more portable, but do suffer from the lack of a CD drive, so if you plan on using it to travel and watch DVDs on, not your best choice.

[jayskette]

Even the lowest spec cheapest laptop in the market today will more than satisfy your needs. Buy away!

[quangle~wangle~q...]

What's your budget?

Ah, well there is the problem.
It is actually a gift for MIL and there seems to be a pretty big price range.
I would like it to cost as little as possible, but still be a decent computer. I was hoping for under $600 but don't know if that is possible. A quick web search shows they can cost up to and beyond $2,000.

[Cheryl_v]

Almost any laptop from a reputable brand will work for what you have described. The higher cost ones will have higher specs for things like video processing, gaming etc.

The bare minimum specs you need for email/web browsing/Skype is easily covered under $600, the real trick will be to find one that is easy enough for her to use as the majority of new laptops atm are running Windows 8 which has pros and cons - for someone who hasn't used a computer much before it is probably a really good idea as it's more like a tablet with large icons to select applications, for someone who has used a computer before it can be confusing to find applications that aren't natively on the home screen. The Windows 7 laptops that are still left are mostly on sale so it's definitely a good time to buy if you want one of those.

[galba]

We just bought an iPad for my mum. It does Skype/Facetime, emails, web browsing and is so easy to use. Is this a possibility or does she definitely need the word processing?

$429 for an iPad 2 wi-fi

[EmmyLou86]

I've had a Toshiba Satellite laptop before and never had any problems with it. I ended upgrading it, because I wanted better specs. I like keeping up with all the new technology.

I now have an Acer and I've had had to replace the hard drive 2 times in the last year.

I know these are from Radio Rentals, but these laptops would be suitable for what you need.

Samsung - Windows 7

Toshiba Satellite

They are right on the $600 mark. They are running Windows 7.

You can find cheap laptops that are running Windows 8 too.
Samsung - Windows 8

Good luck. HTH

[bakesgirls]

I have always had Asus or Toshiba. I had some issues with my Asus about 4 months after I bought it, but the service was fantastic. They sent a courier to collect my laptop, then had it couriered back to me after it was repaired. All up it took around 5 business days from when I rang them to when I had my computer back. Both Asus and Toshiba have been great. I did have a BenQ at one stage but it was rubbish.

Both these brands have good computers for what you want for around your price range. Why don't you just go into several stores, tell them what you want and your budget, compare them, and then go from there?