Netbook - want to but one but proving hard!

[whatsthemattermaryjane]

Want to get my 11 yr old a netbook for christmas. It will be to use for schoolwork, for Internet use, to watch netflix etc on, and to use with the USB microscope she wants badly! So a tablet won't do what we need it to and a laptop is too big and possibly too expensive for her needs. So a netbook seems perfect and DH has one that she loves.

But most of the new ones seem to be android tablets with a keyboard attached which isn't what we want at all? Or very pricey. We don't mind 2nd hand or refurbished but where is a reliable place to go for that?

Thanks

Anyone?

Have you checked (a) online - Gumtree or Ebay and (b) s/h stores such as CEX, CashGenerator, CashConvertors, or Grainger Games (OK, only 70 stores in UK, but the others have plenty and some sell online too).

Have you seen the asus 10" transformer laptop?

It's a tablet or laptop depending if ou pop the keyboard on. It's fab!

I did look on Ebay etc but I don't know how to tell what will be any good! There are lots of Asus and Dell ones for low prices but they are all refurbished and I'm not sure a) what one we want and b) if it will actually work? Ditto Cash Converters etc. We are very rural so will have to be an online purchase, I won;t be able to try it until it arrives. Also some say they are Linux - what even is that, how does it make a difference?

That does look amazing FiloFunky but tbh its over our budget and does far more than necessary. We want something very basic!

Whoops just reread the thread

It does however run windows 8 so not an android device

I have an asus aspire one netbook. I think I got it from tesco direct. I found I couldnt do all the things I needed to on a tablet
It has a windows operating system but you are supposed to buy office. After good advice on here I downloaded open office free which is great and does everything office does

I cant remember how much I paid but it couldn't have been expensive as I am tight
I think it was around the £250- £275 mark. I struggled to find a non android one which is more of a fun thing imo
I love my netbook

OK, understood re rural location.

Regarding 'refurbished' systems. If the manufacturer or a big retailer (such as Tesco) has refurbished a system, then it will usually have had cosmetic and other marks removed, and if the system had been returned because of a fault, any components would have been replaced and the whole system given the same testing as any coming through the production line.

A refurbished system may be from 10-60% cheaper than one marked as brand new, but will still have the same guarantee/ warranty in most cases (I think I've perhaps seen a 3 month or 6 month warranty from Tesco). If the refurbishing is done by a 'seller' and this is any Tom, Dick, or Harry, on Ebay, then unless they have a rating of 100% satisfaction and you can see other people have bought refurbished systems from them and been happy, consider looking elsewhere. Even Apple sell refurbished goods so it should not be that big a worry.

Your DD has used DH's netbook, so (a) what is it, and (b) what in particular did she like... Ah, also, (c), what version of Windows is it running?

I've seen a few netbooks (I searched for netbook and windows, then clicked on 'shopping' and it showed prices and links to sites)...

Regarding Linux (stop reading now if you don't don't really have time for this!)

Linux is a free alternative to Windows and Apple OSX (it's another type of operating system). There are many versions of Linux (Ubuntu, etc, etc, see distrowatch.com for lots of names, and read the *> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux Wiki]]

Thank you networkguy that's very helpful.

DH one is a Dell mini. But they aren't available new now and I just don't know where to start with a 2nd hand one! But having done more research it looks like I will have to go for 2nd hand as all manufacturers stopped making them. A real shame as they are obviously still in demand!