# Recommend a netbook or tablet for web browsing and email **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260 "2012-12-17T02:42:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/1 "2012-12-17T02:42:52Z")
My father wants a portable machine with which he can view web pages and email and such. Nothing more intensive than that. I figured I could get him a laptop, a netbook, or a tablet. I’m leaning towards a netbook, as I think a laptop would be overkill, and a tablet would probably be less intuitive for him; he’s only used to Windows and **very old** Mac OS (first gen iMac). Also, the netbook would probably be the best compromise of size, cost, and usability. I haven’t purchased a netbook in a couple of years, so I would welcome recommendations for a reliable specimen in the $200-300 range. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/2 "2012-12-17T03:04:31Z")
I think he could handle a Kindle Fire and it sounds like what you are looking for. Or, you could get an older model Ipad for your amount, perhaps even a new Ipad Mini. They all do what you need and I think your dad could handle it. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/3 "2012-12-17T03:34:20Z")
The last thing I’d buy an older person is a netbook with it’s tiny screen and keyboard. The larger the screen and keyboard the better. An inexpensive notebook about $ 300 on sale is all you need. Better still would be one of the newer inexpensive [“all in one” PCs](http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-20-b010-All-in-One-Desktop-PC/product_985093?externalize=certona). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/4 "2012-12-17T03:51:54Z")
Yeah, my first thought was to ask how your father’s eyesight is. If it’s not as good as it was, the smaller screen of a netbook might be less than ideal. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/5 "2012-12-17T20:59:39Z")
I’m a big fan of my Kindle Fire; but it is most definitely not a good email machine. You want something with a keyboard. Laptops are cheap. Isn’t the new Google Chrome Laptop only like $250? I’ve never used it; but clearly it’s designed as a web consumption device with a keyboard; which basically meets your requirements. > **[Google Chromebooks - Laptops, Detachables and Tablets](https://www.google.com/chromebook/)** > > Chromebooks are laptops, detachables and tablets powered by ChromeOS: the operating system that is speedy, smart and secure. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/6 "2012-12-18T00:59:35Z")
I have the Acer Aspire One, and my SIL has the same one. It’s on the larger side for a netbook. We’ve both been very happy with it - I pretty much browse the web, write emails, read/write shorter documents, and play games that came out in the 90s. For all that stuff, it’s perfect. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/7 "2012-12-18T01:05:04Z")
I have an Acer Chromebook - and older one that cost more - very easy to learn. not having windows is NICE. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/8 "2012-12-18T04:00:35Z")
If your FIL is the least bit arthritic holding a tablet might get painful quickly, and if he’s ever typed he will be happier with a keyboard. And if he wants to watch YouTube or Hulu while lying in bed the choice becomes a no-brainer. (Typed on an oldish Toshiba notepad before I take it to bed to watch QI. I use a USB mouse so it sits at my side and I barely need to move to use the computer.) ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/9 "2012-12-18T16:10:17Z")
Check out [www.woot.com](http://www.woot.com) today. There’s a good 12" Lenovo there for $300. I’d personally pick the Intel configuration, but it hardly matter at that level of specs anyways. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-netbook-or-tablet-for-web-browsing-and-email/644260/10 "2012-12-18T18:59:46Z")
Yeah, I was thinking Dad would want a keyboard, but I hadn’t considered the screen size issue. He’s fifty nine, and had LASIK a few years back, but still uses reading glasses on occasion. Perhaps I should show him my netbook and see if he thinks the screen is too small. I’ll take a look at that Woot deal, thanks! As for Chromebooks, I was considering it, as it does indeed seem to be specifically designed for web and email, but I was concerned that the different OS environment might prove problematic for him; he’s not super tech savvy. Though I imagine it’s quite the opposite, isn’t it? They’re optimized for the simplest, most streamlined internet experience possible.