Laptop question

My laptop crapped out a few weeks ago, and it needs replaced.

Question ... my budget is $400 or less.

I can get a mini for $299 or less that has XP instead of Vista (plus) and the small keyboard kind of worries me because, well, I type by feel.

I can get a cheap full-size (which does everything I need) for $399, but has Vista (minus), an HDMI port (plus ... I tend to feed streaming video through my TV), a normal-size keyboard and a larger screen.

I'm trying to save $$, and essentially, the computer is only used for word processing, Internet and occasional video streaming (lacking cable, I tend to make great use of ESPN360), as well as the occasional freelance assignment, where I'd be filing on deadline.

Advice?

 

If you are buying a laptop within that price range make sure you pay close attention to how many gigs you have vs. what operating system you are running. There are some brands out there like Toshiba and Acer that will give you a computer with 1GB of ram with Vista - but Vista needs a gig to run. You would have no room for anything else. That's all I can tell you. Oh and if the budget is a big deal, get an open box item. You might be able to get a full size for cheaper that way.

 

My wife (a computer tech at a major university) says get the one with Vista...for what you want it for, it would be the way to go. She says you can always upgrade later to get the system you want later

 

Doesn't Vista suck ass? Sometimes you can get free downgrades to XP.

 

I think Vista is solid. No problems with it in a year and a half of owning my laptop.

 

I'll second that. I got a new laptop in January that has Vista. I can't say I've had any problems with it.

 

Is any XP-era (or older) Windows software compatible with Vista?

I'm still running an ancient version of Office, which I'd rather install on a new computer rather than fork over another couple hundred for a new version (of course, I could just download OpenOffice and be done with it).