Need Help Choosing New Notebook For 15 Year Old Daughter

You could buy something second hand but I've found most people aren't willing to part with their old laptops for a reasonable price until they've listed them for a long time and realize how much they're devalued.

Do you want a Macintosh or Windows based computer? How much are you willing to spend? How big a screen do you want? How is she going to use it? How much are you willing to spend? Typically people are looking at a minimum of $500 on up.

Honstely I would look at getting her a Mac. You can run Office for all of her homework iTunes for her iPod. You're not going to have to worry about viruses unless she goes out and trys to get them.

Windows side of the house I would suggest looking at the following.
http://www.dell.com/content/products...52176~0~817059

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0%20-%20%24750

There are several options for fully featured notebooks at most retailers for around $600. You should take her to the store and let her look at them and try them out. If you want it to be a surprise go yourself and look at them and try them out. You don't need to spend more than that. BestBuy sells Dell computers in stock so you can look and play with them there also. I wouldn't buy something online without really understanding what you're getting.

You may also consider a "netbook" which is a smaller 8" to 10" screen with pretty much the same features as other notebooks but slower processors running Windows XP, smaller screens, and no CD/DVD drive. They are cheap and run about $350 to $450 for most models. ASUS makes the best right now in that market IMO. They have those at most stores too so you can go look at them in person.

If you are curious about a couple different models write down the exact model number and specifications and post back here for more objective information about them.

Also check out the Netbooks from MSI (Wind) lenovo (S10), and Asus (eee pc 1002)

stick with windows as a first laptop, plus apple products are still rather pricey for what you get

secondly, someone said get used........my advice on that is since the OP said he doesnt know about notebooks, odds are he cant fix one thats "used" and he buys from say craigslist.........so i say no dice if you dont know what youre working with or getting yourself into

also, shes 15, young, prolly rather small framed maybe? why have her lug around 6-10lbs along with her books (say if she meets up with her bff's at the local java shop for study session)

lastly, do what the person whom said netbooks said..........get her a netbook, they come in pink, if shes super girly, and white if she isnt

they can be had for under 600


my advice is this.......no need for upgrades, no need for anything, I am using mine right now and its just amazing.......and im saying amazing and this is my 25th notebook ive owned

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834131014

Samsung NC10

enough hard drive space, enough proc power, im getting 7 hours battery life, wifi, 10 inch screen



now......from the father/daughter side of things, the only thing id have a problem with, is the webcam........not saying your daughter is a myspace freek, but just saying........IMO i'd 86 the webcam drivers so it wont work

thats just a side note and my .02 :P

as i said, you will regret getting her that, because its going to be too big and bulky for a 15 year old girl.......hell even my mom and sister have trouble lugging around the laptop at their work, and its 7lbs

im telling ya, start her off with a netbook

if its too little for her, then sell it or keep it or hand it down to your son or other daughter and find her a suitable one

if this is a christmas gift and you want to keep it a secret, ask your wife what she thinks about certin ones at best buy, CC, staples ect ect

dont choose a gift being a male and not ask at least 2 females opinions


but, out of those 2........id go for the second one myself

^^ I would choose the HP over the Dell. It has better CPU (easy to upgrade) and better gpu in the specs.

cheers ...

You're not going to get a mac for under $1000 new. Cheapest one Apple has on their site is $1000.