Cheap laptop/netbook

[c10n3d_0r6]

Hi

Does anyone know of any deals on a decent laptop/netbook. I have a powerful desktop but I'm often finding myself away from home where I need a computer to do some light work (Basic word processing and occasionally some software development for Unisa assignments).

I considered getting some cheap R1500 second hand thing and putting Ubuntu on it to just keep in the boot of my car, or should I rather buy something new?

Thanks

 

[Dylan_G]

Also looking for something like this...

Is a netbook an option ?

 

[garyc]

This depends on your software requirements. Do you need MS Office for the word processing or will Libre Office or Google Docs do the job? Do you have specific requirements for the the development environment?

 

[c10n3d_0r6]

At the moment it's PHP/MySQL running off a local Xampp server and visual basic 2008 express. I also have a module with some Android development, but that I could do on my PC at home. For document editing I mostly use Google Docs. I'd need some offline suite for opening attachments from a flash drive but LibreOffice would do for that.

 

[garyc]

It sounds like an Ubuntu machine should meet your needs, except for the VB Express. So it will depend on this specific need.

I have a little netbook that I sometimes carry around for light word processing. It works well but the limited screen resolution (600 vertical) means that this really is limited to light work.

If you do not need the small size for portability then it may be worth considering a regular sized laptop. Even if you are buying new there is not really a price difference between a cheap one on special and a netbook.

 

[Yotch]

This is my experience with a secondhand i5 Dell Latitude E6410 similar to the ones that sell on Bidorbuy for R3000~R3500.
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...op-for-R3k?p=11865072&viewfull=1#post11865072

It appears that you can purchase a new Dell OEM battery from FirstShop for between R500~R600 if necessary.
http://www.firstshop.co.za/dell-laptop-battery-54-451-10579-p-11911

 

[c10n3d_0r6]

If need be I can always do the bit of coding at home and the android on the go. I've got a device to do testing on so I don't need the laptop to run the emulator. Do you know of any good specials on a netbook or cheap laptop?

 

[oldhat]

Trying to convince Acer to launch their C720 Chromebook(2848) in South Africa but no luck yet Under $200 in USA and Ubuntu runs fine on it(needs a patch for touchpad though).

 

[c10n3d_0r6]

This is my experience with a secondhand i5 Dell Latitude E6410 similar to the ones that sell on Bidorbuy for R3000~R3500.
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...op-for-R3k?p=11865072&viewfull=1#post11865072

It appears that you can purchase a new Dell OEM battery from FirstShop for between R500~R600 if necessary.
http://www.firstshop.co.za/dell-laptop-battery-54-451-10579-p-11911

Thanks I'll take a look at those.