[StevieJ]

My parents have come to me with the task of finding them a laptop so I turn to you! It's only going to be used for web browsing/email and whatnot. What's out there in the $400 range?

[Chevytuff19]

What screen size are you looking for?

[StevieJ]

"Nothing real big and nothing small". I imagine anything from 13"-15" would be fine but netbooks are definitely out.

[gemeinschaft]

Here are a couple links to check out:

Recertified Asus

HP 620 - New


I have ordered from NewEgg and I have had good experiences.

Here is another at TigerDirect :

Recertified Asus


Just don't get Asus confused with Acer, the difference is night and day.

Dell's consumer website has some computers that might fit their needs:

Inspiron 15R

If you get a computer running Windows 7, I would suggest getting an external hard drive and making a backup image every couple of months. That way, when they bomb it with a virus, you can load from image and make your life easy.

Of course, if all they do is go online and do web-based e-mail, you could do what I did with my mom's computer.

I loaded Ubuntu on her machine and I haven't had to re-image her computer in 6 months. That makes me a happy guy.

[MadMonkey]

I have a very nice Toshiba Satellite that I paid about $500 for. Well worth the extra $100 IMHO.

[whmaxwell]

Newegg tends to have some good deals...

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...tops-Notebooks

Watch for the daily and weekly sales.

Also, I have gotten good deals directly from Toshiba.

good luck!

[hamster]

Consider an iPad2.

I got my mom one as her first computer. She can do everything she needs to do on it with zero support from me. The applications are designed such that the small screen size really is a non-issue. Get one with 3G and you won't even need to worry about setting up a cable modem/dsl/wireless router etc.

[gemeinschaft]

Originally Posted by hamster

Consider an iPad2.

I got my mom one as her first computer. She can do everything she needs to do on it with zero support from me. The applications are designed such that the small screen size really is a non-issue. Get one with 3G and you won't even need to worry about setting up a cable modem/dsl/wireless router etc.

That's a good strategy.

[clipper100]

Ipad 2 ..... Only way for the older folks.... by far!