Oh - one more thing. I would very much prefer not buying from Best Buy. Dealing with The Geek Squad there just about put me over the top into insanity, so will never deal with them again, and I think you have to if you purchase from Best Buy.

I've never bought from Best Buy, but there's no way you have to use their Geek Squad unless you have purchased their own extended warranty, which I would never do. But that aside, try Staples or one of the other office supply stores, or you can buy direct from most manufacturers. I even bought a laptop from Amazon.

For your purposes, I would suggest at least a 500GB hard drive and lots of RAM---4 or more GB. Try to get a 7200RPM SATA drive and the latest RAM (can't remember what it's called, but it is 3 rather than 2). Lots of USB ports come in handy, especially if you like to use a cordless mouse and have other peripherals. Windows 7 is nice and fast and either the Home or Professional version should do you nicely. I won't mention a brand. Go online and research Dell, HP, Gateway, Sony, and any others you might consider. Look for the specs you want and compare prices. Sometimes you can get a lot of bang for your bucks. Then you can either order direct or go with your specs and visit stores and look for a laptop that meets your criteria. Battery life may or may not be important to you. Bigger batteries make for heavier machines.

Can't be too much more specific, but I'm sure someone else will mention a feature that I've forgotten.

just saw an awesome deal on a full size laptop in the walmart flier, good specs and under $300. It is an Acer with AMD processor and Windows 7. 2gig RAM 250Gig HD.
Acer 15.6" Aspire AS5251-1513 Notebook PC with AMD V-Series Processor, Webcam, HDMI Output and Windows 7 Home Premium

other very reasonable priced options there too. I got my acer netbook from walmart.com because of the great return policies.

I did buy my husbands Acer laptop at Bestbuy, I would never deal with Geek squad no need to.
Acer - Aspire Laptop with AMD Athlon

there are great prices now for back to school, do some shopping and comparing.

for $699 this is a very nice laptop with a triple core AMD it should be quite fast.
AMD Phenom II triple-core N830 processor, 4gig DDR3 Ram and 500gig HD plus blu ray disc drive, windows 7-64bit home premium.
HP Brushed Aluminum 15.6" Pavilion DV6-3040US Laptop PC with AMD Phenom II N830 Processor & Windows 7 Home Premium
I personally don't do Dell, do like HP and ACER. I also prefer AMD processors to Intel.
buy with a credit card that does the extended warranty coverage if possible plus with credit card you have better options for return or refund etc.

The RAM I couldn't recall is DDR3. It is supposed to be faster than DDR2, which is still being used also. I have had both AMD and Intel processors; both are good. Get at least the dual core for speed. I would also go for the 64bit rather than 32 bit processor since that is the standard today and tomorrow.

Some states are having their back to school tax free weekend coming up now, so this is a good time to buy.

Hi Suzy! Basically I agree with everyone, almost. My recent (3 months) laptop is an HP and I love Windows7 (hated Vista), love DDR3 memory, love 4 Mb RAM (would love more too!) and very happy with the i3 chip.

Which one of the above make this laptop speedy, I don't know. It is so much faster than the Acer (Intel dual core chip, Vista, 3 mB RAM) bought 2 years ago. Night and day. The Acer developed a display problem just as the guarantee was done. It's now hooked up to an external screen. I have a great deal of antipathy towards it.

I bought this HP from CostCo because of a deal and the 2 year warranty.

I have just begun to use OpenOffice. It handled an Excel spreadsheet like a piece of cake. I am committed to only using it.

Mine does have 7200 rpm but from my readings this is moot in a laptop with the 3.5 inch harddisk (?). It does show measurable speed increase with 5 inch harddrives in desktops. Seems to me 7200 would create more heat so am sorry I have it.

My general rule of thumb is never to buy the cheapest of anything because there's usually a reason it's so cheap.

Might want to take a look at C-Net reviews. $750 or so should buy you a very nice laptop, especially is portability isn't an issue.

Here is a link that might be useful: C-Net Laptop Reviews

Thank you all; I'm surprised at so many responses and am very appreciative of the advice, opinions, links, etc. I will digest all and investigate more and probably (hopefully) will have a new machine in the next week or 2.

Thanks again!

Suzieque

suzieque,
I just wanted to toss in a few words about computer service. I have my internet/satellite TV/phones bundled with my phone company and for $15/month there is a service called Rescue-It where they will help you diagnose and fix any kind of computer problem. Maybe your ISP/phone co. offers something like that? Just a thought.

CenturyLink RescueITSM is a computer support service available to all residential CenturyLink customers. We can help you with a variety of computer-related issues that include PC tune-ups, hardware and software installation, security and virus support, new computer set-up, home networking, troubleshooting and repair. Services can be provided by phone or in your home.

Hmmmmm....I'll look into that, pfmastin - thank you for the tip!

See the brand new issue of Consumer Reports. New recommendations on laptops, desktops, netbooks and printers.

DA

My daughter bought the Acer linked below at Wal-Mart in Canada for $428 yesterday. Read the specs, it might just do you for your needs. This has a Phenom II X3 processor and 4gigs of RAM

I cannot access the U.S. Wal-Mart pages, I guess they do not want us to compare prices and pop over the border with our money :~) PCSuperstore in the U.S. lists it for $646.52

Here is a link that might be useful: ACER ASPIRE 5551

What would the the duty be on a purchase like that now a days?

DA

DA we do not pay duty. Canadian customs assumes all purchases we make for personal use in the U.S are American made products. We do get charged the 13% taxes quite often, these are what we pay on purchases up here anyway. Taxes are at the discretion of the border agent, we find 4 old f*rts can buy just under US$400 total and get let through without paying anything when crossing for a few hours shopping spree.

As pensioners we do not attempt to cross on weekends when the border can get quite hectic. I believe on a same day round trip we might be allowed $25 purchases each. We are 30 miles from the border but do not cross regularly. Two weeks ago I got gas in Buffalo, NY for $2.83, up here it is just over $4. Big difference.

I currently have a Sony Vaio that I've had for about 3 years. Lots wrong with it, and I think it'd be more costly to have it fixed than to buy a new one. Plus, I want to get caught up technology-wise.

Unless there's something physically wrong with the hardware (broken keyboard, bad hard drive, etc.) simply back up your critical data and run the restore disc. Yes, you're computer will be back to where you started when you unboxed it but so will a new computer.

Yes, you will benefit to some degree from newer technology but you might be surprised how well the old computer works, especially since it doesn't sound like you're doing any heavy duty computing.

We have the same day trips over here where Sarnia, Ontario, area people come over and shop in Port Huron/Fort Gratiot, Michigan, stores. You should see them changing clothes and unpackage products in the parking lot so they can avoid duty. Unfortunately way too many of them are a bunch of slobs as they leave all the trash laying around. Many locals regularly complain about it.

I know when I visit Canada the PST, GST, Michigan sales tax, and potential U.S. duty can add up so it does come into my purchase decision.

I look at any purchase deception this way, dishonesty is dishonestly. If someone returning to the U.S. or Canada wants to risk seizure of their vehicle with potential forfeiture, judicial costs, and fines up to double the value of the item in question (not including the original expense)for a paltry some then so be it. I can look in the mirror, sleep at night, and not embarrass myself.

DA