I need a cheap netbook to do a dissertation on

[MsKite]

Hi just wondered if anyone could give me some advice about what kinds of features I'd need to look for? Eg how many G of ram (if that even makes sense )
I just need something small cheap and portable that I could carry about with me, mainly to do this 10000 word dissertation and also to do a bit of online revision etc. It would also help me because ds could use the main laptop while I try and get this done.
If anyone could advise me about what's the cheapest option I could get away with I would be so grateful also stuff like which version of Windows to go for. I've currently got Windows 7 on my laptop. And do they always come with some version of word?
And is it worth looking at 2nd hand on Amazon?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm really clueless in this area!!

[hugoagogo]

You won't need anything very flashy for that; I think having Office is pretty important though you could probably get away with open office.

dd has this pretty blue one and it's fine for basic surfing and word processing.

[hugoagogo]

If the laptop/netbook you end up with doesn't have word on it, you can buy a discounted student version online from Microsoft.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

So you definitely need Word?

If you can get away with Google docs would it be worth considering a Chromebook?

[BelfastSmile]

Could be worth going to a local computer repair place that does refurbished ones. They'd be able to give you advice and you should get a good deal.

[MsKite]

Thanks hugo. No I don't need anything flashy at all. I know when I got my laptop it didn't have office, only a 'word starter' which was fine for a while. I was actually hoping to see of o could get away with spending quite a lot less than that, but will pay about that if I have to. It IS pretty through

[MsKite]

I've got the student office on my laptop. I wonder if it can be installed on more than one device? Probably not though.
I think I would definitely like word Itsallgoing. Don't want to start messing about with new programmes at this late stage. It'll be too much for my head I think!
There are 2 local computer shops actually near me Belfast. Didn't think of that and I should be able to get in to one one Monday.
Thanks everyone. Any more suggestions would be very gratefully received.

[hugoagogo]

I assume your dissertation has to be submitted online? It might be worth checking with your university about acceptable formats? You don't want your tutor/marker to have trouble opening the document or the formatting messing up your page breaks or paragraphs.

Saying that you could always borrow a friend's word or the at library to save it in the correct format.

Personally I was happy to pay the £40 or whatever it was to not have the stress.

[LockedOutOfMN]

I've got a Toshiba Google Chromebook. It is shit. Work gave it to me otherwise I would not have ever used it. I'm onto my third one in a year as the keyboards / mousepad are useless. Possibly we had a faulty batch as many of my colleagues have experienced the same problems, but I have read about them on online forums and they seem to be general weaknesses with the product. Really really do not recommend one to anyone.

[MsKite]

Yes it does have to be submitted online and as a word document so you're right it'll have to have word. I want it to have word anyway. The word starter that came with my existing laptop was fine though.
Ok I'm definitely going to avoid chrome books then 😬

[MsKite]

Yeah I was thinking that fuckyou. Then I could just get any cheapo one that plays YouTube. In fact I'd probably be better getting a cheap tablet wouldn't I?! Then it'll keep him quiet for a while during the holidays while I get the buggering thing done!! Thank you.
So can I now ask if any old cheap tablet is ok or what? Another subject I know nothing about

[MsKite]

For example would an Amazon kindle fire 16gb be a reasonable one? It's only really for him to watch Dan tdm on and play on roblox. Would that be fast enough? It's £59.99

[DoItTooJulia]

That's all my ds uses a kindle fire for and its fine. In fact it's lasted better than our iPad. Get him one, he'll be chuffed to bits, and you will be at £60!!

[MsKite]

Thanks DoIt! I'm gonna do it then

[MsKite]

Thanks all for your advice

[MsKite]

Oh I've got another question. I'm assuming I can set it up so it isn't linked to my Amazon account? Don't really want him to have access to my credit cards and a massive shop. Might be too much responsibility for one so young I think!

[reallyanotherone]

Second hand?

I run a business and regularly sell our old macbook pro's for around £150.

[MsKite]

I've looked at 2nd hand but think I'm going to go with getting a cheapo tablet, since I already have an ok laptop with office on. I've just git into the habit of forgetting it's actually mine and has got better things to do than run YouTube crap

[MsKite]

The 2nd Mac book tip is stored for future though!

[nicxy]

My DS loves Kindle Fire, so second all suggestions that way! You do have to register it with an Amazon login, but there are some very good parental controls you can set to prevent your DS from accidentally purchasing paid content in games / movies or indeed having a good spend up! If you get stuck settin things up, I'd recommend their chat help - have used it for a couple of things now and they're great. Good luck with your dissertation!

[cdtaylornats]

Chromebook with a USB drive to store stuff on. You get 100GB of Google Drive, Google Docs cloud apps, and browsing.

www.pcworldbusiness.co.uk/catalogue/item/N114993W?cidp=Froogle&awc=2371_1469914296_45cdf1cc1f433d534aaaf5d24c23211a&utm_source=Future+Publishing.&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Affiliate

[MsKite]

Thanks nicxy I think I'm going to get one unless I see a really cheap goodish one in the supermarket tomorrow. Good to know about the parental controls. And thanks for the good luck

[MsKite]

I'm definitely aiming to spend about half of the chromebook price now cdtaylonats. It does look good though