Lightweight laptop for ds to use at school

[VerityBrulee]

Ds1 is dyslexic and the school have recommended that he use a laptop for note taking and homework. His bag is already so heavy that I can barely lift it so I want something lightweight.

The lightest I have found is an 11" Sony Viao, but it's also the most expensive at 515Euro. The alternative seems to be a 13" Toshiba at around the same price.

My other consideration is lifespan, as most people have told me it will probably only last 2 years or so before it starts slowing down. He is only in 1st of 6 years of secondary, and his brother who is also dyslexic will be in the same position in 18 months, so at that rate I'll need 6 laptops to get the pair of them through secondary

He will only be using for school work, no gaming.

My dh is Mac obsessed so he's no help and every sales assistant tells me something different - I'm , please help!

Does he need a laptop or would a netbook do?

My dd got an Acer (think called a one?) last Christmas and it has been excellent.

Is small and was cheap, great.

Thanks Countess!

I was told that putting on the software for word-processing would make a netbook run too slowly. What does your dd use it for?

Netbook is the way to go. Try an assus or acer. You might have to buy the microsoft office software for it as I think they only come with microsoft works. The school might be able to help you out with the software.

I have a netbook and it doesn't run any slower than most home laptops. If you want one for business that might be a different matter

Whatever you do don't get a laptop as they are really heavy after about 10min of carrying them. I gave up on mine and got a netbook

If you are hoping for something long lasting ensure that the battery is replaceable. The battery isn't on my netbook - which means that its life span would be unlikely to be 7 years.

Wow, l had been convinced by so many sales assistants that a netbook wouldn't do. Maybe they just wanted me to spend more!

Ok, so a netbook with a removable battery. Any particular brand?

She uses it for everything: homework, word processing; Internet. She has word on it and it's quicker than my more expensive netbook.

crystal just saw your recommendations, thanks

I have a 10" Toshiba netbook NB200 - it's a few years old so they don't make it anymore, I think the new version is this one. For me the key thing was battery life - the NB200 started at 9h40 and, having been used nearly every day for 3 years it's on about 8h50/9h, which I'm really impressed with . The power charger weighs about the same as the computer - there would be no point having a small computer if you have to double the weight lugging the charger around.

Before that I had a Sony Vaio (a 13" one, I think). I loved it. It was absolutely perfect for school work (although battery life not great) because it was so beautiful. Until the screen went dead. I took it to a computer shop who said the motherboard had gone and that, although it could maybe be fixed (but they couldn't guarantee it) it would cost over £300 to repair because for some reason they had to use Sony approved parts (which I fully believe - when my Sony charger stopped working they tried to charge me £90! for a new one. Luckily a few tears in John Lewis sorted that out and they found me an old one they didn't need). The computer person said that Sony laptops are great until they break, but when they break it's normally in a pretty spectacular style and cost a fortune to fix.

Not sure if that makes a difference. Also my sister's boyfriend (who has a computer engineering degree) said that when you are looking at small laptops (ie. netbooks) they are really all the same but with different cases. The parts are generally made by the same company and then sold to the different brands, so it's more a case of which appearance you like. This was confirmed by a salesman when my mum asked them.

Finally (sorry this is epic) my DP's computer died and we were looking for a new one - we were told that Samsung is basically an Apple but in a different body: they are made with the same parts. So, whilst I imagine the apple appearance is what your DH likes (I know it's what I like about them), that might be something to consider?

Meant to add - my Toshiba is running the full Microsoft word, but my friend has the Sony Vaio and it only has a starter version of word. I think that means that it does the main things, but not absolutely everything (although I'm not sure what). It's quicker than the massive laptop my parents have.

I would also encourage you take out extra insurance and warranty. If they are carrying it aound in their school bags, despite being in case they will get damaged. At the moment I think a standard repair cost is around £60 and this not include parts or VAT.

Also if the netbook gets damaged beyond economic repair then it will be upgraded.

I would also ask the school as whatever device you decide on must be compatable with the schools network.

PM if you wish

Sorry meant to add all the students in our school (secondary) have a netbook so do have some experience with this :)

You can buy heavily discounted Mircosoft software at software for students
I picked up Mircosoft Office Pro for under £40

Brilliant information here, thanks everyone