Cheap netbook w/webcam?

[Sinistar]

My folks are looking for a cheap netbook for when they travel so they can use @ Wi-Fi hotspots and they want one with a webcam so they can use Skype.

Any suggestions? I have never bought a netbook/laptop at all so I don't know what to recommend them. Also they would rather purchase from B&M store instead of online (old fashioned like that lol).
We will probably check out some places like Best Buy, Fry's or Costco.

Thanks in advance.

[doodle777_98]

buy one of those small $200 laptops. My friend has one and he uses it for skype and internet. problem is, it doesnt have a cd drive.

[Sinistar]

Hmm interesting, I'll check it out. What make/model is it? I'm not sure if they need a CD/DVD drive.

[SOSTrooper]

Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-5787140346970215761&id=pcmcat164200050013&type=category&usc=abcat0500000&cp=1&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&nrp=15&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d3031 2d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%231jd~~cpcmcat1633 00050051%23%230%23%232~~ncpcmcat164200050013%23%23 0%23%232&pagetype=listing) has tons of netbooks in the $300 price range. Most should come with webcam and all basic features you need. Just be sure you get one that comes with Intel Atom processor (NOT Celeron), with Windows XP, and stick with brands like Asus, Acer, Gateway, Dell, and you'll be fine.

[SynGamer]

Mwave has some refurbished ASUS 900's. $179.99 I believe (3 month warranty should be long enough to determine any problems).

[doodle777_98]

Those ASUS are the ones I'm talking about. They are pretty good laptops if you dont plan on gaming. If you need it for the internet and chat, it's perfect.

[n25philly]

Mwave has some refurbished ASUS 900's. $179.99 I believe (3 month warranty should be long enough to determine any problems).

They have celerons in them, not good

[gindias]

I have an Asus eeepc and I really like it. It runs office enterprise with no problems and is pretty quick for surfing the web. Tha camera is ok but the thing only cost $299. I would get the $350 version with the 8.5hr battery. Mine lasts about 3.5hrs now. Installing software using a jump drive is no problem these days so as long as you have access to a computer with a cd/dvd drive you can install programs that way.

This is the one I have.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366526&type=product&id=1218092152108

[Sinistar]

Hey quick question for anyone monitoring this thread still, but do any of these netbooks have VGA out so they can use a monitor instead of the built-in LCD?

[boneless]

Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-5787140346970215761&id=pcmcat164200050013&type=category&usc=abcat0500000&cp=1&sp=%2Bcurrentprice+skuid&nrp=15&qp=crootcategoryid%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d 30312d3031%7E%7Ecabcat0500000%23%230%23%231jd%7E%7 Ecpcmcat163300050051%23%230%23%232%7E%7Encpcmcat16 4200050013%23%230%23%232&pagetype=listing) has tons of netbooks in the $300 price range. Most should come with webcam and all basic features you need. Just be sure you get one that comes with Intel Atom processor (NOT Celeron), with Windows XP, and stick with brands like Asus, Acer, Gateway, Dell, and you'll be fine.


How about the newer models with Windows7? I thought netbooks would be underpowered for it, but they are being released with it. Most models at BB indicate it's Windows 7 starter.

[Megazell]

BestBuy in NYC has a Asus Netbook with Camera for $159.00.

[SOSTrooper]

How about the newer models with Windows7? I thought netbooks would be underpowered for it, but they are being released with it. Most models at BB indicate it's Windows 7 starter.

I think Atom handles Windows 7 quite well. My friend actually installed Win 7 Ultimate 32bit on his Atom netbook, and it runs pretty good even with 1GB of memory. So I'd say if you're going to get a netbook now, it'll be smart to skip the Win XP and get those with Win 7 Starter on it, just because it looks better and runs just as good.

[SynGamer]

Best word of advice, go for 2GB of memory...whether it be pre-installed or you buy the 2GB stick yourself afterwords. My friend has a EEE 900 and he said it was like night and day going from 1GB to 2GB.

[giselle]

maybe this one is fit for u
1.3 webcam and wife
only $199.99
laptopspark
.com