computer notebook

[Ms PatriYacht]

I was wondering who here uses a computer notebook. My parents who are in their 80's and live on Long Island are finally thinking about buying a computer.
They want a lap top style and will only use it for emails and the internet. I was wondering if a notebook would be a good alternative. For those of you that have them, is the reception good, can you print from a notebook, can you use a mouse. Any suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks

 

[Boss252]

as long as you get one with Wifi N you should have good reception. You can hook up a USB mouse and keyboard to them. You can also print to a Wifi, networked or USB printer.

 

[Chris]

Are you talking about a NETbook? Tiny little thing?

If so, I have a couple of them. And I've stopped carrying my laptop with me most times. But you don't really see web pages too well. Especially anything with larger graphics. You have to scroll alot. But for e-mail, hitting the site, airline reservations, etc, it's not bad. And the convenience outweighs the drawbacks for a traveller. For something that's going to be used every day, there's no way I could live with it. And for an older person that might not be so computer comfortable, I could see them avoiding using it for anything but the basic stuff.

I have a Lenovo that I love and always carry and an HP I keep in the car.

 

[Eaton Photos]

I am using a Notebook, as I type. I use both Desktop & Notebooks, but it depends on ones' needs, as to which is the better/ best option.

Q #1: Are your parents', computer savvy or computer illiterate? Do your parents' have experience, with either of the primary operating systems' in today's market?

Answer #1: Using a computer for only emails & internet, makes up a rather large portion, of the consumer market.

Answer #2: Reception? I am kind of lost here. If your parents, are looking to use the Notebook, on a mobile basis, within their home, then they will need a Wireless Router, connected, to their Cable or DSL Modem. If they are still using dial-up, (to my knowledge, as there are some geeky people on these boards) then the Router/ wireless feature, will be of no use, as the Computer, has to be connected via land-line, to the phone line, thus the computer, would stay in a fixed location.

Answer #3: Yes you can print from a notebook. Either the printer, would need to be connected directly to the computer, or if they have Broadband, and are buying a router, then, they could buy a router, that has a USB port, that supports wireless printing. OR, buy a printer, that has wireless built into it. HP, Canon, Epson, all offer wireless models. Stay away from Lexmark, as their ink cost' is insanely high for their consumer printers.

Answer #3: Mice are universal. You can go the USB cable route, or get a wireless mouse, that uses a USB receiver connection, or get a Bluetooth Mouse, assuming, whichever Notebook is purchased, has a Bluetooth connection in it.

All this information is not technical, whatsoever, so hopefully, it doesn't overwhelm you.

Good Luck with the choices/ decisions.

 

[MarylandMark]

I haven't had a desktop since around 1995ish IIRC

NETbook- I haven't made the jump but personal preference on the ones I did look at:
-prefer mouse touchpad over eraser head between the keys
-mouse buttons awkard to click
-keys too tight. I'm use to a notebook size keyboard; a mini those my spelling way off

 

[Wobble]

Found one for someone else with similar needs.

These are light but with an 11.6" screen you can see most web pages without having to scroll much

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...dexp/hhoslp/psg/notebooks/Mini/mini311_series

there is also a model with a 12.2" screen for about 700.

The bigger screen models get heavy and not easy for 80 year old hands to hold.

I have bought probably 30 hp notebooks with great success, the one Toshiba which we bought in April is on it's 3rd trip back for warranty. We also have bought Gateway, Winbook and Dell but always end up with HP for their durability.


Probably the biggest no-no for any note book is to have it on charge and lay it on a soft surface like a bed or a cushion. This will always lead to premature battery failure due to heat buildup

 

[Perlmudder]

Probably the biggest no-no for any note book is to have it on charge and lay it on a soft surface like a bed or a cushion. This will always lead to premature battery failure due to heat buildup

my hp laptop gets INSANELY hot.

for an older couple, i think a lap top might be a very good choice, but maybe a 14.1 or larger if they do not have great eye sight. the fact that the keyboard, mouse and monitor is all contained in one package means they do not have to worry about trying to hook something back up if the cord comes loose.

 

[Ms PatriYacht]

whew I am already confused. My parents have never had a computer. Netbook or Notebook I don't know what the difference is, when I say note book I am referring to the ones that Verizon sells that look like a lap top, but connect through the cell phone lines. I guess I am thinking it is like a Blackberry for emails and internet searching but bigger and looks like a lap top. My dads hands and fingers are large so an easy to use keybord would be important. They also need a large screen. They will use it to search the internet, my mom especially for stuff like medial info and shopping. I guess I wonder since the notebook is run via the cell phone connections how does that effect it's use. I have Verizon cell service and while it is good, I will still get static and dropped calls on occassion, does this happen with a net/notebook. They hardly ever travel so most likely this unit will be used in their home, patio, or car (local on Long Island)

The ONLY reason we were thinking about a cell phone based notebook is the product is cheaper and they do not need all the office type programs that are loaded on most lap tops. however they would like to be able to store photos, view PDF attachments, and send and receive photo attachments. thanks again for your help

 

[Ms PatriYacht]

Answer #2: Reception? I am kind of lost here. If your parents, are looking to use the Notebook, on a mobile basis, within their home, then they will need a Wireless Router, connected, to their Cable or DSL Modem. If they are still using dial-up, (to my knowledge, as there are some geeky people on these boards) then the Router/ wireless feature, will be of no use, as the Computer, has to be connected via land-line, to the phone line, thus the computer, would stay in a fixed location.
QUOTE]

if the notebook is through a cell company like Verizon doesn't it just run via the cell towers, I thought the beauty of the verizon notebook was you can access it anywhere you have cell service. That's why I ask about reception

 

[Wobble]

whew I am already confused. My parents have never had a computer. Netbook or Notebook I don't know what the difference is, when I say note book I am referring to the ones that Verizon sells that look like a lap top, but connect through the cell phone lines. I guess I am thinking it is like a Blackberry for emails and internet searching but bigger and looks like a lap top. My dads hands and fingers are large so an easy to use keybord would be important. They also need a large screen. They will use it to search the internet, my mom especially for stuff like medial info and shopping. I guess I wonder since the notebook is run via the cell phone connections how does that effect it's use. I have Verizon cell service and while it is good, I will still get static and dropped calls on occassion, does this happen with a net/notebook. They hardly ever travel so most likely this unit will be used in their home, patio, or car (local on Long Island)

The ONLY reason we were thinking about a cell phone based notebook is the product is cheaper and they do not need all the office type programs that are loaded on most lap tops. however they would like to be able to store photos, view PDF attachments, and send and receive photo attachments. thanks again for your help

The one I linked to weighs 3.2 lbs and still has a decent sized screen. If they have cable or traditional phone service then adding wireless internet access is easy. Otherwise a usb verizon card will work almost anywhere.

 

[cuda]

Walmart is going to have a full sized Laptop for sale on Black Friday loaded with Windows 7 and other goodies for $198 my little bro told me. The upgrade to Windows 7 alone is $120. It's got a 15.6 inch screen.

http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=eME627-5279

 

[jhenrie]

I have a netbook and love it. Acer 10 in screen , wi fi ,no cd/dvd drive but that stuff is almost obsolete anyway. Great for internet / email / facebook. Runs xp , can't stand vista. Great little machine for 300 bucks. Get a usb mouse , the pad works but mouse is much easier.

 

[MarylandMark]

The Verizon netbook is a promotion they are running. They were offering a better price per month if you didn't want the netbook. Not sure what either price was or if it was worth it. If $100/mo vs $50/mo then obviously take the $50/mo because you can get a much better computer for $600. Just an example and I don't know pricing!

When compared to a laptop/NOTEbook; NETbooks are:

smaller screen & keyboard (in most cases)
lighter- good for traveling
good for web browsing/email
not good for storing stuff or word processing (no or small hard drive)
much longer battery life in most cases (7-8 hours vs 2-3 hours, give or take)
cheaper
no DVD

My 2 cents from what you are saying; you are better off getting a laptop/notebook than a netbook.

Cellular internet is much slower than DSL, FIOS, Comcast, etc and may be even more expensive.

 

[cuda]

The laptop I showed you is the best deal. I might get one. I hate Vista.

 

[MarylandMark]

The laptop I showed you is the best deal. I might get one. I hate Vista.

Little slim on both types of memory but to get more it would be more money. Plenty of both for my web habits and may pick one up myself.

my current HP gets fire hazard hot- esp when 3-4 porn tubes going on!

 

[cuda]

Little slim on both types of memory but to get more it would be more money. Plenty of both for my web habits and may pick one up myself.

my current HP gets fire hazard hot- esp when 3-4 porn tubes going on!

It sure has more memory than any netbook. Easier to use too. I doubt Donna's parents will have much porn running. 120 gig hardrive ain't bad for $198.

 

[glassdave]

i have the Lenevo netbook as well and pretty much dont travel with my laptop anymore, really like it and has not failed on me or given me even the slightest trouble. One thing i will say though is when i got mine i bought the one with the 80gb harddrive and in retrospect wish i had gotten the one with the smaller flash memory. Simple fact is you just arent going to load a ton of stuff on these things and that kinda drive space just isnt necessary. I have heard the flash ones are faster and at this point would rather had the better speed then more space.

 

[MarylandMark]

It sure has more memory than any netbook. Easier to use too. I doubt Donna's parents will have much porn running. 120 gig hardrive ain't bad for $198.

Link you posted has 160GB :sifone:

You are right- $198 that is a bad azz machine!

 

[Ms PatriYacht]

thanks for all the info, looks like it will be a laptop. Cuda thanks for that link, I went on live with Wall mart and could not get an add to pull up for the after Thanksgiving add, how does your brother know about that deal. Does anyone know anything about the emachine brand.