Is this choice of laptop rubbish.

[mymatemax]

ds says he wants to buy one of these - SAMSUNGSeries 5 550 WiFi Chromebook - Silver
I dont know anything about them, is it a good idea? How does it differ from a standard laptop?
Can you add a word package (or similar)

I suggested a packard bell laptop with Windows, he says that you cant use itunes with windows8, is this true?
He needs a laptop for School work, using internet & a bit of music.
Just want a good value laptop that we can get from the high street & is not going to need replacing in 6 months.

Thanks

The Chromebook is entirely Internet based, if he is not connected to the Internet, he cannot use it basically. BUT I like them. You can't get Microsoft Office on them, but you can download word processing software which is compatible with Office.

Windows 8 cannot work with iTunes on the App based screen, but as far as I know, can still be downloaded on the desktop view.

A Laptop is a more rounded choice, can be used for games, study, music, photos etc. a Chromebook HAS to be connected to the Internet and has no DVD drive, so cannot be we'd for watching films etc.

If you do get a laptop, please don't get a Packard Bell! I recommend Samsung!

Itunes will work on Windows 8,what has been in the media recently is that there will be no Itunes app for Windows 8(think this affects the tablet rather than laptops).

Whats your budget?There is a Lenovo here for £299,its not the latest processor but it,s dual core ,has plenty of ram so wont be slow.

Thanks for the info, I'll let him read your replies, as obviously I know nothing & he knows everything!
I just dont want him to buy into the latest "gimmick" that isnt going to meet his needs.

dh is running iTunes on W8. Argos have some good offers on laptops including a Toshiba for around £260

Both tesco and argos are still selling windows 7 laptops.

Thanks everyone, he got a Windows8 laptop, touchscreen thingy.

Seemed to be the one with the best memory & processor (dont really ahve a clue what that means)

Anyway he's just running the system recover thingy & is itching to use it.. also got him an office package, bloody hell...how much!!

Thanks for all your advice, it helped me steer him in the right direction he had saved most of the money himself so didnt want him wasting it