recommend me a device!

[sorbetandcream1]

I am hoping to start writing a novel in the next few weeks. I've got a laptop but it's old and I often lose stuff on it (probably my fault). What should I buy? Don't want/need internet, needs to be super simple to use, not too expensive... Any ideas?!

What's your budget, sorbetandcream1?

Up to £2000, preferably less. Is that realistic?

You're kidding - all you need is a simple laptop, nothing special - you could get that for £200, never mind £2000, though more speed and power and a bigger screen are always nice.

Personally I find internet access extremely useful. This is partly because I write historical so I do lots of research, but even without that I always have thesaurus.com open because it's easier than messing around with a physical book. I also like to back up to Dropbox which has saved my bacon on more than one occasion, and when you come to get people to read drafts for you it's handy being able to email them to people. However, people wrote perfectly well before the internet and some people prefer to write on a non-connected machine because there are fewer distractions.

Then there's the question of software. Plenty of novels get written on basic word processors. I like Scrivener for ease of juggling different drafts and scenes around and managing my research, but you don't need it by any means.

I am clueless! I don't need internet access- I can use my phone for that. Really just want a basic word processor I guess.

For a simple word processor you can get a Neo from eBay - its what they use in schools and then you plug it into a laptop and it downloads. The best bit about it is that it runs off batteries that last a year so great to take about with you and no internet for distraction. About £35 on eBay.

Check the format that publishers will accept a novel in e.g. Some will specify MS Word and a font type and size and the layout to use such as page of contents/chapter headings

PC World has a good selection of netbooks aimed at the teen/student market that will do all you need for £200 or less. Main thing is to find one with a keyboard that you find comfortable to use. You can download free word processing software.

Like Countess, I find internet access essential for research purposes. I like to be able to copy and paste info to a file so I can easily access it again.

Essential to buy a couple of usb drives to back up your work if you're not going to be using online storage.

Anything with internet. Then you write on Google docs and save it on Google drive and write from any device (including phone). That's what I'm doing.

I bought a keyboard for my phone so I can write anywhere.

So- I've just checked out Neos on ebay. Realised that's not quite what I need. I want to be able to see more than 4 lines at a times and easy editing is important. Thanks for suggestion. Good to know what's out there. Going to go to pc world and look for a netbook. Thanks!

If you don't have Internet access on it, how are you going to send your novel out when you finish it? I'd go for a simple laptop or netbook if I were you and certainly don't spend £2000!

Any basic laptop would do. Choose one with a nice-sized screen and a good keyboard for typing. Expect to pay £200-£300. If you get serious, you might want to invest in a more powerful laptop and software later. To publish a novel you will need email and a lot more than just a word processor.