I'd love to know the answer to that too Cinds - I have a problem with carrying large items also putting them in proper carrying bags kills my back so I'm looking for something smaller I could use that would also support Word documents

I have a great little Samsung NC 110. Its an older model so won't do a link. It has a 10" screen. Fine to watch iplayer on. Maybe not for movies where you want more of a visual experience. Previously had an Acer which was sturdy and reliable too.

Personally I prefer Netbooks to Tablets. They're just so handy and not much bigger nor heavier than a large-ish paperback book. Also find the keyboard easier as I have teeny hands

Mine does Pengy,  it has full Windows 7. Got Norton Antivirus specially for netbooks which was slightly cheaper I think.

My 11yr old has one and its exactly the same as a laptop just smaller

Excellent, that's made my mind up.  Although I love my iPad, its not so good when I want to sit working on my family tree as I like to have loads of windows open with all the different reference sites in each one and the tablet just doesn't like it.

Yay... go for it Cinds! Cnet is good for reviews which I then check off against Amazon reviews. I imagine the battery life on Netbooks would be longer than tablets as they accommodate a much bigger battery. Mine is about 8 or 9 hrs  I think - never tried it though.

I've got a notebook but it's on it's last legs  I too use that for doing my family tree as it's easier to type on than my kindle, it was lil AIms laptop but she found it too small to do work on and it doesn't have a disc compartment, the battery only lasts on it for 20 mins now so you always have to have it on charge, it keeps losing wireless connection at the moment for some reason 

Aww Aimee   hope you have your important files backed up.

Good point - netbooks don't have cd-drives, but theres always usb sticks and memory cards.

Hi All. Here is my advice.

Sit down and think about everything you want to do with the laptop, especially the types of applications you want to run, are you a gamer, do you carry and watch video and lots of music on your laptop, do you like to take and store pictures on your laptop. Do you like video editing or making music on your laptop?

By knowing what you want to do with your device you can then decide on the specification. The key areas which will be affected by the above questions are: System Memory, Hard Drive size, Screen size and resolution and Processor speed.

Crucially your budget will affect the above too, so if you only have £250 to spend that will limit what you can buy. If you are on a limited budget but need a good specification computer, look to discontinued lines to maximise your budget.

Finally, do you have a preference for one type of operating system be it Apple's, Microsoft's or Linux.

Good advice there, as per EC

Indeed  she knows her stuff does EC.

Makes up for the rest of us fickos

Including me

Ta. 

Ec wot ? I thought you was a laydee... 

SORRY  Apologies I'm sure you're very manly

You're not so bad Moonie I don't even know what gender people are!