Laptop purchase

I've just been asked to find an inexpensive laptop for a 13 year old to do homework on. He is being home schooled but I don't know how much gigs he will need.

Preferred one with XP and not Vista. Can someone give me the parementers I need to be looking for? All info will be appreciated.

Thx...........elaine

 

Getting XP as your OS would be a little hard to find.
What does your budget look like?

 

I think around $300....I thought about a re-built one. Maybe on Ebay?

 

Hi Elaine,
have a look at some of your larger retailers they sell Re-Manufactured units; with warranty, I picked up a IBM R40 a while back for the wife, but remember you only get what you pay for, and you may need to do some add-ons, you will need a unit with about a 40GB+ hdd & preferably 256mb+ Ram, will he need wireless access for the internet? will DVD be needed, if so a combo drive would suit best.
Best luck
Jac

 

Don't forget to think about family and friends that could be upgrading from their present laptop. If you offered them some money, they may make up their mind quicker and you may end up with a machine that outclasses the rebuilt ones (cuts out the middleman (men? )). They would get $0 for their old machine otherwise.

A teenager with a computer? Base-level probably won't "cut it"

Is a laptop required? They can get misplaced easily. I try to get them to use a Desktop at home and transfer information from school by using a memory stick.

Matt

 

Another concern I would have with a youngster / teenager is going to sites which are inappropriate. Yes, you can get filters (and you should), but best place for computer is in main area of house so you can keep a watchful eye. Desktop works fine for this purpose.