Good deal? A hardly used 07 Acer 5920 laptop, w/XP, for $200 (for mom)...

[zonkers]

Just seems the best, cheapest way to intro her to web surfing. (She has used PCs in Library) I mean even if I spent more on a Mac -- I just think this is simpler and more straightforward for basic surfing, email, etc. Thoughts on subject? Thanks.

[Chan790]

1. I like mine.

That's an endorsement. (Actually mine is one model later...same computer, shipped with Vista instead of XP.)

Before you give it to her though, max out the RAM. It'll not even cost you another $100. Acer is notoriously stingy on the memory...my computer came with 1GB of RAM on an OS requiring that much memory for the OS alone. Other than that, Acer makes an exceptional computer at a good price...my next computer will be an Acer again, unless I go custom-build. (I also have a Acer H213H 19" widescreen monitor that doubles as my TV, its' picture is as good as any HDTV I've ever owned, at 20% of the price of the TVs.) Yes on Acer.

[HopeHoops]

2. As much as I hate to admit it, Win 7 is a pretty decent operating system. XP crashes a lot. (Read..

On Edit: Note - perhaps because of the embedded link, DU displays this post in a much wider screen than the current browser window so it requires scrolling to read it. Go figure.

The other thing to consider is that support is waning for XP, both the OS and products that run on it - including browsers. M$ doesn't even have an easy way to get SP1 for Vista now. I found it, but it wasn't easy. The frustration level may push her past any interest. My mom took years to recover from being stuck with a PS-1 (which sucked moose cock). Her husband was certain it was the only machine to buy because it was an IBM. Bad move.

If you really want to introduce her to web surfing, just get one of the low-end machines from OfficeMax or something. Sure, a little more expensive (but not much), but with support, warranty, current drivers, and hardware that isn't going to crap out anytime soon. Or you can order online - most have free shipping for laptops now. How about this one, HP Win 7 3GB machine for $399?:

http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers-and-tablet-pcs/product-prod3210152?history=adfb8egb|categoryId~10004^categoryName~technology^parentCategoryID~category_root^prodPage~25^region~1@14o2hwr6|categoryId~283^categoryName~computers^parentCategoryID~cat_10004^prodPage~25^region~1^refine~1@qs8f4p3k|prodPage~15^refine~1^region~1^categoryName~laptop-computers-and-tablet-pcs^categoryId~325^parentCategoryID~cat_283@79g6by4t|refineName~Price^prodPage~15^refine~1^sub_attr_name~2^region~1^refineValue~399+%3C%3D++%3C%3D+578.99

There are a lot of options out there and the extra cost easily justifies the reduction in hassle and frustration you're likely to encounter with an XP laptop. For an experienced user, that's not such a big deal - I still run Win 95/98 machines. For someone who needs to be introduced to web surfing, go with a new machine. And immediately install Firefox - much easier for new users than IE (and much safer).

[VioletLake]

3. I would get something new for a little more money.

Perhaps something like this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Satellite+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Celeron%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+2GB+Memory+/+250GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/9988402.p?id=1218205766215&skuId=9988402

We're getting an iPad for my dad this year. He already has a desktop & a laptop, but he's intrigued by the iPad experience.

[Lucian]

4. You can get a new one for about $50 more...

especially since Black Friday is just around the corner, you'll be able to find a decent laptop for cheap.