I need suggestions for an inexpensive computer replacment to move on from Windows XP?

[dmaj135]

Due to the "end of the support and user safety" coming next month for Windows XP, I need to find an inexpensive way out. I looked today at Apple store, Microsoft store and Sony store. I am a longtime user of Windows. As much as I am curious of owning a Mac, (even thinking of a used Mac Book Pro,if one was avail).,but here lies my issues. I use Google Chrome, as much as I use Safari on my Iphone5, (I like Chrome better), I have a yahoo email acct, and do not use outlook at all. I use MS Office Word often, I never use excel or pp ,etc... I know Sun offers a free version of Office, that maybe usable on a Mac? I need to be able to run Netflix without the staggering offset of picture to dialog, I do record my own music and often knock the recordings down to mp3s, as well as rip music cds to mp3 files. Most important of all, I need to be able to have a secure/safe computer for online i$$ues. I guess thats the MAIN reason, im forceed to move on from XP. The reason for an inexpensive replacement is im not working. As of now Ive been ok using an Acer Aspire mini laptop hooked up to a 19" flatscreen monitor, and a overloaded usb hub. It has 2 gigs and whatever I get next, I know Im going to need at least double or 6 gigs of ram. I do run two terrabyte ext hard drives,both usb, and a usb all in one printer. SO, Id appreciate some doown to earth suggestions. Id like to keep my next purchase below 500...and that would include the purchase of MS Office if I go w/ a Windows 8 vs a Mac....which by the way scares me. My friends have mac book pros, love them, but when I ask how to do certain things, outside of normal word processing and playing music,be it mp3s or youtube videos, they dont even know. Thanks for any and all advice
ps: excuse my typos...thx

[Linds]

Acer is the number one worst computer brand you can buy. They are prone to hardware problems and are extremely cheap in the way they are built. Do not buy an Acer it will be a waste of money.

Macs can be good depending on the type of user you are. Recording music would be one of those things that would fit into getting a Mac, but Mac are going to cost you $900 and up.

With the right software you can be just as fine on a windows and pay less. I would stick with brands such as hp, Asus, Lenovo, Sony and toshibia.

Now as far as secure, that all depends on you and how you are on the internet. It also means keeping up with your virus and spyware protection. I would instal avast and malwarebytes and uninstall what whatever protection software comes already installed, more than likely it's nortan and nortan tends to be a resource hog.

Now since you moving on from window xp, I would suggest you go with 7. Otherwise if you go want windows 8, you're going to want to install a start button. Now if you go with Lenovo they'll already have a start button installed for you called pokki. I've been using pokki and it's pretty great.

Now as far as office software. The two best choice for free are OpenOffice and LibreOffice. I prefer LibreOffice, I have used both, but LibreOffice I feel is much better.

Now I would suggest for you that you want something with 4-8gb of ram, you will want either an intel i5 or i7 processor, 500gb or bigger hard drive. Unless your a gamer you won't need a dedicated graphic card. Dedicated graphic card is not something that will be needed for netflix. Netflix running smoothly will be depended upon having a good internet connection.

If you have any more question. Please feel free to send me an email.

[Art Bacon]

Google "free linux distro"

Download an ISO file, burn it to disk or a flash drive. Boot from the drive and try it. "Mint" is one of the easiest distributions. You may have to try several to find one that has all the device drivers for your hardware.

[Matt]

I would go for a low-mid range laptop with windows installed, you are not going to be able to purchase a mac for $500, try and go for one that has a graphics card rather than integrated into the motherboard as you will want it if you are linking up to a monitor. without spending more on your laptop you wont need more than 4 ram and if you can try and get a laptop with intel core i5 rather than i3. (Although you might be stretching your budget going for i5)

The advantage of office newer version is that you can pay monthly so useful for those of us that don't have much dollar.

[Kenneth]

Just an idea but Linux mint could be an OS you install along side your current OS. It is free and if you only use this OS for your internet actions. XP could be used for all other actions.