Do you own a NETBOOK?

[Jun aka Pekto]

My Mom needs to learn Windows, MS applications and the internet. Would a netbook suffice or does she need a real laptop?

If you insist on a netbook, buy an external lcd monitor as well. The netbook can push higher resolutions with an external lcd monitor. Your eyes would thank you for it.

For training, there's low-cost software such as the one I bought for my 13-year old daughter:

Learn2's Training Complete which covers Office 2003, Office 2007, Windows XP, Vista, and bonus stuff for other MS apps and Adobe:



System requirements aren't very high:
Windows 95 or newer
32mb ram
cd drive 4x or better
200mhz processor
svga monitor

You don't need to have the actual MS Office suite. But, it's nice to have it.
Actual screen:


Take the netbook on the go. When you get home, plug an external monitor to it. I do that even with my 15.4" laptop. I also plug in a USB keyboard and mouse. An external keyboard and mouse minimizes wear and tear on the laptop's built-in ones. Sometimes in "clone" screen mode, I even close the lid on the laptop which turns off the screen (and use the one on the external monitor).