Netbook or laptop for my Mum?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Netbook or laptop for my Mum?

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blakamin

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#515212 1-Sep-2011 17:31

Whatever you get, you can get RAM online damn cheap. I just got 4gb for my DV6 for $55 delivered!

My new dv6 will get 4.5hrs on battery using wifi (switchable gfx)

toyonut

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#515324 1-Sep-2011 20:31

The Acer from JB for $605 is good, but the keyboard is a little flimsy. Mom and Dad got one and it works well, runs fast and seems good. Only the keyboard lets it down a little.

May have been mentioned already, but Lenovo G570 from PBtech
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NBKLEN1551473B&name=LENOVO-IdeaPad-G570-Sandy-Bridge-Pentium-Dual-Core

Lots of choices in the sub $1000 bracket for 15 inch laptops!

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

billgates

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#515327 1-Sep-2011 20:34

^ I would stay away from pentium dual core.

Do whatever you want to do man.

gzt

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#515328 1-Sep-2011 20:36

See if you can try her out on an ipad for a day. I saw the note about 15" screen, but really the ipad screen is worth considering.

timmmay

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#515330 1-Sep-2011 20:43

Yeah they look like a good deal. The Lenovo that Bill posted a link to earlier is similar but a bit more expensive.

I don't know the difference between an i3-2139m and a B940. Both are sandy bridge so should be fine for Mum.

timmmay

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#515331 1-Sep-2011 20:44

gzt: See if you can try her out on an ipad for a day. I saw the note about 15" screen, but really the ipad screen is worth considering.

She wants a keyboard and a bigger screen, but thanks for the idea. I was thinking about an Asus Transformer Android tab, like I have, but the screen's too small.

timmmay

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#515348 1-Sep-2011 21:05

billgates: ^ I would stay away from pentium dual core.

I looked it up, and it looks like it's a sandy bridge processor, performance is comparable to the i3, so I think it's ok :)

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jonherries

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#515868 2-Sep-2011 18:01

Try an iPad, if she is going to use it as an e-reader you can ramp up the font sizes. You can also do this system wide along with a built in magnifying glass.

You don't need to worry about viri or malware/scareware, you don't have to worry about her cleaning out all those files and folders she finds which she didn't put on there with crazy names like system32.dll etc and you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to it (I do it regularly and once paired and in range once you start typing it connects and goes).

You can set up a Dropbox account where she can see new photos of your grinning mug easily.

Lastly the battery life is phenomenal, it just lasts and lasts, most laptops on standby need to be plugged in daily, and suck juice so they ar barely mobile, this makes it so easy.

And you know if you are really creepy, you can track her 24/7 using the find my iPad app...

Jon

/

timmmay

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#515879 2-Sep-2011 18:40

Thanks for the idea Jon. I already discounted a tablet, since it's too small for her old eyes, and has no keyboard for entering data. Have you tried entering much data on a tablet? I have! It's not fun. I have an Asus Transformer, which has a keyboard, but you can get much more powerful, flexible devices cheaper.

ascroft

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#515900 2-Sep-2011 19:30

Well you have enough info now for a purchase - tell us how she finds it.....

common sense is not very common

freitasm

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#516055 3-Sep-2011 09:39

Actually, all those laptops allow you to increase the DPI, in effect increasing font size by 50%, 100%, 150%...

timmmay

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#519591 11-Sep-2011 15:51

Right, down to the final decision. It's out of these two laptops only, the E520 ($712 + GST) or the G570 ($650 + GST), again just for my Mum to do the basics. Both have Sandy bridge processors, and both will be fast enough for her, so it's down to build quality really.

Is the E series worth the extra $70 or so?

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