Dell Laptop - basic use - help.

[Miss Inquiry]

I know nothing about computers but am just about to buy the Inspiron 6400 for �399 on the following link for home use:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/fea tures.aspx/notebooks_good?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en& s=dhs

I have very basic computer needs, want a wireless laptop and a very basic package to surf the web, e-mail, store photos, e-bay use and use i-tunes.

Is this package any good, would you recommend I get any additional extras/upgrades?

[Hammer]

This system is more than good enough. Don't be tempted to buy the extras - you won't need them, with the exception of possibly a larger hard drive if you've got lots of music & photos.

[Ethel]

You are right not to pay a lot of money for extras that you will never use.

However, I don't believe that has enough memory (oomph) to run Vista smoothly.

This is a better deal - with twice the memory.

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-0124.aspx

You need 60gb hard drive, 1gb Ram, wifi enabled, 3 usb ports as minimum.

You should also consider the size of the screen - do you want it smaller so it is more portable, or larger? Mine is 15.4" - ideal as a desktop replacement and in the garden, but a bit too big to carry everywhere.

As you want to store photos, you should look for a card reader. But don't pass an otherwise ideal laptop up if it hasn't got one, because you can buy an external usb multi-reader for under �5.

Have a good look at what's available in the shops. If you can get a laptop running XP at a good price I would seriously consider it. XP will be good for a few years yet, and doesn't have the problems that Vista is experiencing.

If you want XP, 516 RAM will be fine.

[Miss Inquiry]

Ethel,
I was going to get the Dell one because I have heard of Dell and people generally say you can't go wrong with a Dell, are Gateway a good brand? If I have any problems with it will there be people I can readily contact to help me?
Really appreciate all your help!
And yep the screen size is fine, it will be used in my house and on a hammock in the sun in my garden.
I don't suppose you could recommend a good internet provider?