Help with Gift

[bii]

I'm looking to buy my mom a laptop. She has a desktop that she plays her Windows based games on (burning monkey solitaire, etc.) She doesn't need much, just something portable to play on. I'm looking to spend around $150 - $200. What is my best bet? What would you get given the situation?

 

[lunyone]

If your buying new, that is almost impossible to get a decent laptop (netbook) in that price range.
Here is something to consider, but doesn't fit into the $200 price range ($335 shipped):
Acer Aspire One AO722-BZ454 Espresso Black AMD Dual-Core Processor C-50 (1.00GHz) 11.6" 2GB Memory 250GB HDD Netbook

I wouldn't buy any Atom based Netbook. Just too slow for most people, IMHO.

 

[photonboy]

I've seen laptops for only $300 but you wouldn't want any less then that.

Don't get a netbook, get a laptop with a 15.6" screen.

Your simply going to have to look around for sales. At that price it will be a basic setup but make sure to get at least the following:

1) 15.6" screen
2) Windows 7
3) 2GB RAM

 

[photonboy]

This is CANADA, but here's an example of an inexpensive laptop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/acer-acer-15-6-amd-c-50-laptop-as5250-bz479-grey-as5250-bz479/10171738.aspx?path=afafd96543cf363ba9f175fdbb1faccben02

 

[bii]

What about buying a used laptop? Would any of you do that?

 

[lunyone]

Well you can buy used, but you don't know the history of it. I would only buy a used laptop if I knew what kind of upbringing it had. There are too many things that you could run into that isn't covered by a warranty that would cost too much to replace. I'm not saying not to do it, just that you need to consider all of the possibilities.

 

[Pyree]

It's not the same thing but have you ever considering grabbing the $99 hp tablet once they are again release en mass to the market on clearance?

 

[bii]

It's not the same thing but have you ever considering grabbing the $99 hp tablet once they are again release en mass to the market on clearance?

The Touchpad comes with WebOS, could I just wipe it clean and install Windows??

 

[Pyree]

No windows on it so can't play burning monkey solitaire (that is a window game right?). It does however browse the internet, view pictures, play movie and music (pretty much all of the basic). There is a chance you could put android or ubuntu on it (but it is a big if).

It's just that if the netbook is re-certified, the warranty is short (90 days). It is a gift, so if it die after a short time and there is no warranty, it will be really disappointing for the receiver. Consider the social implication, I am sure you don't want to disappoint your mom.