Small laptop recommendations?

[Tradd]

Please recommend your favorite/preferred SMALL laptop. Under 13" screen much preferred. And light-weight.

My Macbook is acting weird, and I don't have the funds to replace it with a MacBook now (especially since the base model seems to no longer be sold). I can deal with a Windows machine, especially since I work on one daily.

Also, it would be very nice to be able to do some work at home, and due to the interface for our shipping software, I can't do that at home on a Mac!

[redfox]

Well, I completely LOVE my iPad! I do word processing with Notes, and all my email & web searching. What functions do you need?

[Tradd]

I need something that can REPLACE the MacBook! Internet surfing, photos, lots of writing.

[herbgeek]

Depending on whether you use CD's/DVD's or not, you might want to look at netbooks, which are the smaller version of a laptop. They don't have CD/DVD drives though, so could be limiting depending on your needs. I was recently shopping for a replacement laptop, and was considering these, but ultimately decided to go with a cheap laptop that was $300 (a Lenovo model at Best Buy) because not all of the software I buy is downloaded via the net.

[cdttmm]

I have a Dell XPS that I love, but it does not have a 13" screen or smaller. I would second the recommendation to look at a netbook. I love my iPad, but when I need to do a lot of writing I use my laptop. I'm not sure an iPad would be a suitable replacement if you are doing a lot of writing, even if you added an external keyboard. But YMMV, so perhaps go to an Apple store and check one out. I love my iPad for web surfing and photos, it's definitely convenient for those two activities.

[Perplexa]

It sounds like it may not be possible cost wise, but the old MacBook has been replaced by the MacBook Air, which comes in an 11" version. The base model is $999.

[leslieann]

My DH got DSD a netbook last year and her limitation was that she needs the cd/dvd drive to upload music to put it on her iPod. So we got an external drive, which was about $60 and of course can be used by any of our computers as needed.

[lhamo]

I got an Acer Aspire One netbook last year. Advantages are it is very small and light, and has a mondo extended battery charge (7-8 hours). Disadvantages are the screen is so small it isn't practical for working on large spreadsheets and long documents, and web browsing isn't as pleasant with the very small screen. Some people complain about the keyboard, which is a kind of reduced size, but I don't mind that too much. I also find the touchpad to be very quirky and difficult to use, especially for cutting and pasting -- usually takes me three or four times to successfully copy or cut text. It cost about $300 when I got it at Costco last year.

To be honest, I MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer my IBM X60 and wish I had bought another one of those. They are more expensive, but I purchased mine in 2006 and it is still working (probably on its last legs, but I used it as my main personal AND work computer from 2007-2010 and considering what I put it through it has stood up pretty well). It is a little bigger than my Acer, and has a shorter battery life even with a new battery, but it is much easier and more enjoyable to use. I'm seriously thinking of getting another new battery and switching back to it instead of continuing to use this netbook.

I think the choice depends a lot on how much time you spend on the computer. If only occassional use, a netbook will probably serve your purpose, but you may not like it much. If you are on line a lot, you might want to splurge on something a bit more robust. I do highly recommend IBMs -- I will probably go back to them for my next computer purchase (unless I go over to the dark side and buy an ipad;)).

lhamo

[Tradd]

I ended up getting a Sony Viao (sp?) Y series 11" laptop for $400 on Amazon. A friend recommended it. Loves hers! It's about 3.2 lbs. A little bigger than a netbook, larger HD, and more power. Got good reviews, too. I spend a lot of time online and on the computer, but still wanted something lightweight. No CD/DVD drive. 3 usb ports.

[Gardenarian]

The Sony Viao is the most popular laptop at the college where I work, and everyone seems to love it. Good luck with yours!

[Tradd]

I'm home and have most of my software installed on laptop. Firefox, LibreOffice, MS Security Essentials (FREE), iTunes. I'm using the Sync function on Firefox and Home Sharing on iTunes to move bookmarks, music, etc., to new laptop. This is easy! Still have to download printer drivers (and maybe ones for my camera, too).

I can't believe how light this laptop is! My 4 yo MacBook feels like a brick!