I'm not the teacher. I'm the friend who's helping. And the way I'm helping is to ask for help myself! 
I know what I'm doing with desktops and software. Those are my own strengths. But my schoolteacher friend is new to computers generally. Her needs will be simple and conservative. No games.
However, people have a tendency to underestimate the power/speed requirements of multitasking involved with some of the hefty software programs combined with scanning and things. So, I don't want her computer to show her a lot of hourglasses. (I learned the hard way, with a desktop Cely 1.7 with 128 KB L2 cache, crippled by Intel. Never again.)
Also, even in an unpredictable, possibly short-lived notebook, I would add RAM. Just plain old experience. Let's suppose a total of 1 GB+ RAM.
My other concern is whether the typical (cheap) hard drive of ~4400 rpm is a drag, or is it actually OK? I've never used anything less than 7200, but I've never had a notebook.
She'll try not to use the battery any more than she has to. Basically, a very easy computer to config; a real snap. That's why "skimpy"—but she'll want it to be reliable, and easy on the eyes. WORD, Excel, Firefox (mainly researching, data, and her email). Possibly music (the teachers stay afterhours, doing prep for next day; often have music on their boxes while working—but that is not a huge deal). I'll put on a few memory drains like ewido and others, becuz these nice folks are notorious for using their systems in bad neighborhoods without even knowing!
So: If you're a schoolteacher like her, watch this space!!!! And if you know both notebooks and this kind of user, thanks for your suggestions!
Here is the cincher, though: price. Some teachers have lots of money. This one doesn't!!! So it's a matter of coming up with a nice but inexpensive-as-possible computer. For example, instead of switching out a small HD, I'm already thinking just 30 GB would be okay, and I can add an external biggie later or if she really does want that music!
Here we go.
And thanks, everyone.
I know what I'm doing with desktops and software. Those are my own strengths. But my schoolteacher friend is new to computers generally. Her needs will be simple and conservative. No games.
However, people have a tendency to underestimate the power/speed requirements of multitasking involved with some of the hefty software programs combined with scanning and things. So, I don't want her computer to show her a lot of hourglasses. (I learned the hard way, with a desktop Cely 1.7 with 128 KB L2 cache, crippled by Intel. Never again.)
Also, even in an unpredictable, possibly short-lived notebook, I would add RAM. Just plain old experience. Let's suppose a total of 1 GB+ RAM.
My other concern is whether the typical (cheap) hard drive of ~4400 rpm is a drag, or is it actually OK? I've never used anything less than 7200, but I've never had a notebook.
She'll try not to use the battery any more than she has to. Basically, a very easy computer to config; a real snap. That's why "skimpy"—but she'll want it to be reliable, and easy on the eyes. WORD, Excel, Firefox (mainly researching, data, and her email). Possibly music (the teachers stay afterhours, doing prep for next day; often have music on their boxes while working—but that is not a huge deal). I'll put on a few memory drains like ewido and others, becuz these nice folks are notorious for using their systems in bad neighborhoods without even knowing!
So: If you're a schoolteacher like her, watch this space!!!! And if you know both notebooks and this kind of user, thanks for your suggestions!
Here is the cincher, though: price. Some teachers have lots of money. This one doesn't!!! So it's a matter of coming up with a nice but inexpensive-as-possible computer. For example, instead of switching out a small HD, I'm already thinking just 30 GB would be okay, and I can add an external biggie later or if she really does want that music!
Here we go.
And thanks, everyone.
These make the notebook big, heavy and hot. stay away from them!
