Windows 8 laptop for my wife? (Lenova laptop chosen maybe?)

[IHateMyJob2004]

UPDATE:
I might buy here this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310625

Please provide comments on that product.


ORIG:
My wife has used Windows 7 for a long long time.

She needs a new laptop. Hers just randomly shuts down. Seems like a hardware issue. The laptop she has, has run it's course.

Last night she said she jsut wants the cheapest one possbile. That menas something with WIndows 8 on it. I could always wipe and put windows 7 on it. So, the basic question is, will she like Windows 8 and figure it out? My biggest concern is Word. Does Windows 8 still use "My Documents" (or something equivilent) as the default save location?

Anyway, is there anything I should think about regarding this? Any known pros/cons with adoption by a non techy person?

 

[Ken g6]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2283053
Edit: Particularly http://www.classicshell.net/

Also
http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

:whiste:

 

[Torn Mind]

My wife has used Windows 8 for a long long time.

:hmm: I think you mean 7?

If your budget allows, a touchscreen might come in handy.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Definitely not getting a touch screen version.

And ya, meant Windows 7 ;-)

 

[biostud]

win8 is better on laptops since it's faster and gives you extra battery time. As ken linked, there's lots of options to get it to look like w7 with a small software install. I installed start8 on my parents computer, and there has been no complaints whatsoever.

 

[Tushaar]

If your only issue is the random shut downs, have you looked into why that's happening? From your post, your wife's primary concern is Word, and if you can fix your current laptop, you don't need to spend a couple hundred dollars on a new one.

Only way I've ever encountered random shutdowns is when the device overheats. Or has a loose battery connection (had that happen with a third party battery). Or something else. Ascertain that before you go in for a new one.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Tushaar,

Laptop is 5 years old at this point. I don't really care at this point. She needs a new one regardless.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Windows 8 is perfectly usable for the average unsavvy user. If your wife never bothered to use Windows-key shortcuts or used Windows across multiple windows, she'll be perfectly fine.

The Start screen is like a huge version of the Start Menu: you can pin frequently used apps to it and search for files or apps too. To access the desktop, look for a 2x1 sized Windows tile with a picture of a white flower on a blue background labelled "Desktop" (or somethinf similar).

 

[It's Not Lupus]

I wouldn't get the cheapest laptop available. It'll have shitty viewing angles/trackpad and feel like cheap plastic and fall apart after two years like my ASUS laptop did which wasn't even the cheapest.

 

[nickbits]

My wife was in the exact same situation. After a month of her not liking win 8, I put win 7 on it. She did not like 8 at all.
Fwiw, I got this hot her http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LTUCFE/..._M3T1_ST1_dp_1
She misses the number pad on her old laptop but otherwise likes it.

 

[jackie1981]

I think Win8 is better on laptops. But I like win7 more.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I might get her this over the weekend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834310625

Thoughts?

 

[Torn Mind]

Does she care about weight? That thing is quite heavy at 6.6 pounds.

 

[Sleepingforest]

It's a pretty good deal--you can't really get better on the actual Lenovo website. As other people have said, weight may be a deal breaker. If it is, look for a 15-incher, like this 4.5 lbs Asus (with Windows 7!) for $600.

 

[mfenn]

I might get her this over the weekend:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834310625

Thoughts?

Seems like a good deal for $550. Keep in mind that it is a big ol' 17"-er though.