OT - Question for Techno Nerds

A netbook is fine IF your primary concern is being ultra portable and you have already an external DVD drive or can access one through your home network to install office and other apps from. For a primary PC recommend Dell or HP for around 600 you can easily get something you will be happy with for several years. I recommend checking out the dell outlet where you can buy a laptop that was ordered but then never used and can ussually save a couple hundred on the deal

Jodie,
I am kind of a geek and have used laptops in the following size...

7" Samsung ultraportable
11.1 Sony Vaio Laptop
13.3 HP and Macbook
14" IBM Thinkpad
16" Toshiba
17" HP (2 of them)
18.4 Acer
20.1" HP

For me the sweet spot is the 13.3 Macbook (my current laptop).  I can run windows on it and it is very well constructed.  It is light and sleek and powerful.  Easy to carry with good battery life.

The only concern with netbooks is your eyesight...you might find yourself getting very tired of looking at things on that small screen.

Also, consider purchasing on CraigsList...with the state of the economy, people are selling very nice computers to pay bills.  I would caution getting a friend with Tech skills to help you with this though to make sure you don't get ripped off.

I see a few people who like HP and would like to say I liked all of mine, but tech support is in India and very ht or miss...just something to consider...

I love my Sony Vaio. I'm on my second. Most anything you get as long as you are able to run your apps will work for you but a word of warning...back up your external drive online.  I have known a few to fail and you want to be safe not sorry!  Good luck!
hugs, Y

Thanks everyone!!  I'm still researching.  I might wait until "Black Friday" and see what kind of deals and discounts are out there.