Need ideas for cheap laptop - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Twizted · 10-15-2004, 02:55 AM

I have an Aunt, who's in a wheelchair, in need of a $300 - $400 laptop so she can work from her bed on days she's bedriden. She's on a very tight budget. She works for the Washington State Government setting up a program helping others with handicaps getting all of their health care in order. You can imagine, doesn't pay very well.

Her only requirements really is to be able to run MS Office and access her broadband email account. My only real requirement is that it's a stable platform (I'm the in-family tech support

)

Speed is not really a factor, 400mhz is probably a reasonable minimum. 128 megs ram min, but 256 megs Ram is probably more reasonable min.

Anyway, anyone have a line on a good laptop for a good cause? Or a reliable source for used laptops? (I am very weary about buying sight-unseen on the internet).

Thanks for the help!

Jason

soopafreek · 10-15-2004, 06:28 AM

these guys deal in used computers:

http://www.retrobox.com

give it a shot. otherwise, check at live auctions.

jonjon42 · 10-15-2004, 06:33 AM

I say go look at the auctions

pottsynz · 10-16-2004, 01:13 PM

You'd be surpised what you can run on old hardware. My 300mhz/32mb Toshiba laptop is fine for Mozilla/Abiword (I'm running linux on it for that extra bit of grunt). If she wants to save money on software (and doesn't have MS Office already) tell her to grab a copy of Open Office.

10-15-2004, 02:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Twizted Insane Location: Washington State	Need ideas for cheap laptop I have an Aunt, who's in a wheelchair, in need of a $300 - $400 laptop so she can work from her bed on days she's bedriden. She's on a very tight budget. She works for the Washington State Government setting up a program helping others with handicaps getting all of their health care in order. You can imagine, doesn't pay very well. Her only requirements really is to be able to run MS Office and access her broadband email account. My only real requirement is that it's a stable platform (I'm the in-family tech support ) Speed is not really a factor, 400mhz is probably a reasonable minimum. 128 megs ram min, but 256 megs Ram is probably more reasonable min. Anyway, anyone have a line on a good laptop for a good cause? Or a reliable source for used laptops? (I am very weary about buying sight-unseen on the internet). Thanks for the help! Jason __________________ A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. -- Emo Philips

10-15-2004, 06:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
soopafreek Psycho Location: ask your mom	these guys deal in used computers: http://www.retrobox.com give it a shot. otherwise, check at live auctions. __________________ aaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!!

10-15-2004, 06:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
jonjon42 Psycho Location: inside my own mind	I say go look at the auctions __________________ A damn dirty hippie without the dirty part....

10-16-2004, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
pottsynz Crazy	You'd be surpised what you can run on old hardware. My 300mhz/32mb Toshiba laptop is fine for Mozilla/Abiword (I'm running linux on it for that extra bit of grunt). If she wants to save money on software (and doesn't have MS Office already) tell her to grab a copy of Open Office.