notebook for a writer

[sophiarosehips]

Hi all,
I'm thinking of buying a notebook. I'm a writer and currently I use my husband's macbook. It's nice, but more computer than I need. Also I think he may kill me in my sleep if I don't quit bogarting it. So here are my criteria, please advise:
A keyboard wider than on a netbook.
A screen larger than on a netbook.
- Can you tell I tried out a netbook? Too small. I will get a permanent crick in my neck and my hands will become claws. Not pretty. I'm thinking green hag.
The price, ideally, under $500.
I will not be using it for anything other than going online and word processing. I don't need a lot of RAM or storage. Do all laptops pretty much come with wireless these days?
Any suggestions very much appreciated.

 

[mnewsham]

Check out the Dell outlet. I would recommend the Inspiron line of laptops in the 15" range.

 

[Zap]

Yes, all notebooks come with wireless.

For "online use" and word processing, anything new will work.

To make sure you are getting a full sized keyboard, look for something with a 13" screen or larger (also makes reading easier).

If you will be mostly using it on a desk, get a normal USB keyboard/mouse to use at the desk. Otherwise pay a LOT of attention to the keyboard. For instance I personally don't like some of the Acer keyboards. They are a "wide chicklet" style with flat tops and almost zero space between the keys. This makes it tough to keep your fingers centered on the key for comfortable and efficient typing. FWIW I know that other people have complained about those keyboards too. If possible, visit local stores that carry notebooks to get a feel of them. Often the same keyboard style will be used across a brand.

I'm typing this message using a Dell Latitude 13 which is a thin/light notebook with 13.4" screen and a full sized and decent feeling keyboard. It seems to be no longer available, but the Vostro V13 and Vostro V130 are still available. The Vostro V130 is the newer one so that's the one to get if you get one at all. The BIG problem with these units is that the battery life is mediocre. The older ones got probably just over 3 hours (I get around 3.5h) in light usage such as internet browsing. The newer ones have more powerful processors and seem to have even less battery life, around 2.5 hours maybe. The good thing though is that these notebooks are really thin (maybe 0.7" thick?) and really light (mine is 3.5 pounds).

 

[sophiarosehips]

Thank you both! You've been very helpful.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

This is my laptop selection method:

1) Go to the store.
2) Type on every laptop there.
3) Pick the nicest keyboard.
4) Buy online.

(I'm completely serious.)

Any full size, non-netbook Windows laptop (Core i3/i5/i7) is as powerful or more powerful than a Core 2 Duo Macbook. (What your husband probably has. If it's a Macbook Pro, it's also a Core 2 Duo, provided it's more than 18 months old or so.) Plenty of computer for your needs. If you're typing all day, keyboard comfort is the primary concern, imho. (Although the value of a decent lap desk and a nice mouse aren't to be underestimated.)

The Macbook keyboard is nicer than many, (most?) but the easiest-typing one I've ever used was actually an older Thinkpad. There's plenty of subjective wiggle-room here, though, so get the one you like best.

You should probably go to more than one store too. A lot of big chains only carry 2-3 of the many big-name manufacturers.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Yeah - as others have said, what you're looking to do (use a word processor, assuming) pretty much any post-1998 laptop can do.

Other than being semi-snarky, let me ask you a few other questions:

- How big is your husband's laptop? Would you prefer that it be bigger than it, or slightly smaller? I'm currently typing on a 17.3" laptop - while it's a laptop, it's a bit unwieldy to actually have on your lap.

- Other than word processing, what do you plan on doing with it? Do you like watching movies? Listening to music on it? Do you like to play games on it?

- Do you have a preference between a Windows machine and a Mac? That might be a little more technical than what you know, but put it another way; do you like using your husband's laptop better than say, what you might have at the office (if you work at one)?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Cory Doctorow uses a Lenovo, and he's quite psyched about the X220:
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/03/08/lenovo-x220-claims-2.html

 

[sophiarosehips]

Thanks everyone. I got an Asus. So far, so good, although I am running into a problem I'm hoping is a matter of settings and will be easily solved:
The touch mouse pad thingy (that's the technical term, right? ) is WAY. TOO. SENSITIVE. It highlights stuff and click on links I have no interest in. I'd really prefer it if it would only select stuff I double click on. However, I've browsed through the control panel>devices>mouse menu, and can't seem to figure out what to do to stop it. Advice?

 

[Phynaz]

There should be a setting under mice for the trackpad called palm detection. Try that.

 

[sophiarosehips]

There should be a setting under mice for the trackpad called palm detection. Try that.

Thanks, I think I found that. Will edit back to report on whether that worked.

 

[biostud]

Also consider battery life and noise. Many laptops have a hurricane hidden inside.