I need a new laptop for school!

[ilima]

I would say Mac, because you can run Windows natively (I have a big memory hog of a program that runs better on my Mac than it ever did on my Dell). But if you want a cheap laptop for pretty much just word processing & surfing the web, Mac doesn't make the real cheap computers (Macs aren't more expensive than PCs if you compare them similarly spec'd).

If you want to do things like run stats, for example, a cheapie laptop is going to be out, so you might as well go Mac.

[smilingcat]

Asus Eee laptop.

I love this machine. And if cost is important its $300 for 2G model with 4G of solid state drive, 512 M byte of RAM. And if you need more storage space, you can add SD flash or USB hard drive. It also has WiFi, 3x USB, Ethernet (10/100), and VGA connector. Comes with either Linux or XP, open office, web browser... 2G screen is 800x640 at around 7" wide.

The model in the picture is the 900 and has 1G Ram with 20G of solid state disk. display is 1024x768. when connected to external VGA it goes up to 1600x1440. I have Linux, open office 2.0, TCL, RUBY...Also has 1.3Mpxiel web cam built in. see www.eeeuser.com for more detail. (if you decide on this model get the 20G of solid state disk and not the 12G or 16G)

[ilima]

My sister has one of those little Asus models (in addition to a bigger laptop) and my parents are thinking of getting one, as well. They look pretty cool and way smaller and lighter than a typical laptop.

[smilingcat]

Oooo Im intrigued by the mini-- might be realllly easy to carry and I can thwart off something more expensive until mine really blows up....

Do you ever have any problems surfing the web with it?? (do all the pages load properly, etc.? (Since Ill probably be doing a bit of research with it).

Thanks everyone for all your responses-- I havent decided yet, but am furiously googling all suggestions.

Jen

haven't had any problems with opening up web pages. then again, I don't open 20 to 30 pages at a time like some people do. You can find more reviews on www.newegg.com (wow they are out right now... try www.eeeuser.com and also search on Amazon search for "Eee PC 2G" or "Eee PC 4G" or "Eee PC 900")
EeePC 1000 is quite a bit bigger in size than the 2G/4G/900/901 models.
Newegg is where I bought mine. the reviews there are quite good and recommendation people make are worthwhile to read. On Neweg do a search for Eee PC. and read reviews for the other models.

I did have one web page lock up on me but I was able to kill the process without having to shut down my machine.

It has been a breeze to connect to the internet with WiFi. At my home, at a coffee house with free WiFi. Starbucks hot point needed ATT account so phooey to them. And at my office through the Ethernet.

BATTERY LIFE: It looks like it will run about 4 hours with WiFi turned on. but the charger is soo dang small.

Size wise, yes it does fit in my smallish meesenger bag. I bought one from Title9 and its called Haiku. love the bag BTW, my phone, ipod, this little laptop and the CHARGER, small jounal, makeup, coin purse, hairbrush... all fit in just nicely. And it doesn't rip my shoulder off from the weight.

smilingcat