best computer to buy
 

I need to buy a computer just for sending e mails, using word and surfing the web - that's it - can someone let me know what the best deal would be and what would be suitable for these tasks? Thank you.

I bought a refurbished Dell Optiplex from Staples to do exactly that, although there are often computers for sale cheaply on TOTV that should suffice

iPad, use google drive for for email, word and spreadsheet.

Asus

Check refresh computer in Spanish springs. They sell refurbished laptops with a warranty.

There are a lot of things to consider and you have to decide.

Important Items?
Screen Size - how large or how small - will you be using on your lap or on a desk?
Keyboard feel or touch - some keyboards type much better than others

Not so Important for just email and web surfing
Size of the Hard Drive and amount of Ram

Personally I like Apple but they are very expensive compared to PC however little will
every go wrong and it will not be outdated for a long long time.

I have an ASUS notebook PC and love it. I mostly do what you are looking for and have found it to be very reliable.

My choice would be either and iPad or a lower end MAC. This way you don't have to contend with Windows.

and probably best to get one with an operating system that you are used to

if you have always had an Apple, stick with that;

if you get on well with Windows XP, don't get a new computer as it will come loaded with Windows 7 or 8

Microsoft support of Windows XP ends April 8, 2014.

I believe that Windows 7 is preferable to Windows 8. Hewlett-Packard recently announced that they are going promote the selling of their PCs with Windows 7 installed, with a $150 discount.

Just sayin'.

Take a look at a Google Chromebook. As long as you have access to the internet, it boots up and starts in 7 seconds, ready to go. Super fast and virtually hacker-proof. You won't need to add all the security junk you need with a Microsoft system. If all you need to do is read emails and surf the web, a Chromebook is for you. A brand new Acer model will set you back $199 at Best Buy.

Ipad
 

For the things you mentioned I would recommend a tablet. iPad is a quality tablet. Check Consumer Reports as other brands are highly rated. If you have an iPhone then I would stick with an iPad.

I personally find web surfing to be a giant pain with a tablet. I much prefer using a mouse with a decent sized screen. Tablets are perfect for portability and limited email, but beyond that, give me a real computer.

We are all Mac.

Love the Apple operating system and customer service. You will never get a virus and products are easily updated. Mainly the customer service cannot be beat! Period!

We have a Mac Mini as our home computer. It's tiny and powerful. No more "tower". He has a 21" screen with it which I think is overkill but he loves it. We like the wireless Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

My hubby loves iPad, it is very versatile and totally user friendly.

I have a Mac book Air. Tiny, light weight. And a great computer.

They are years ahead of any PC.

"Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!"

Get a Mac, you get what you pay for.

I agree with Mike, however I do find MS office maddening on a MAC sometimes. If MS Word is that important to you, then maybe all the other headaches that go along with windows might be worth it to you.

I guess it depends on why you want MS Word specifically and how often you plan to use it.

Agree 150% We are now an all Mac household, laptops, IPads and phones. Best support and NO HASSLE security, plus as mentioned tech support when needed is the absolute best! Got tired of always having to upgrade and get a new Windows laptop well worth it to go MAC.!

Get An iPad!
 

If that's all you're going to do, get an iPad. I couldn't live without mine. Sure I have a powerful iMac desktop computer for photo editing and more power consuming applications. But for what you want, an iPad is the answer. As far as printing is concerned, you can print directly from the iPad to any of the newer printers with Bluetooth printing. I bought my wife one which us a printer-copier-scanner for about $100.

How much do you want to spend?
How important is portability?
What size screen looks like the right size for you?
Are you comfortable backing up files, downloading patches and installing updates?
Do you want to sit on an easy chair and keyboard or surf the internet?