This is really just a choice problem. My daughter is in need of a laptop for school work, research and e-mail, also, I will allow her some supervised IMing. I'm not sure which laptop would be the best for her first one that would not be overkill, just enough without me going bankrupt. Can I please get some information from you who have knowledge of these things. I'm confused with all that is available. There is so much information out there I don't know where to start. In advance, thank you for your help.
Gina

This is as cheap as it gets : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834115248


This is a solid machine : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834115219


This is overkill : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834224048

Shop around , newegg has hard to beat prices . Whatever you choose , come back here for a final consultation and again after it arrives so we can help you lock down your security . Everything we suggest will be legit free applications . Even office software and photo editors have outstanding free alternatives .

I like the way this is written http://www.radiusnetworks.co.nz/buying-laptops.htm though it's a couple of years old so slightly out of date, I think it covers the important aspects, and gives you some useful information.
Best of all it's a short read

Extra software is one of the hidden costs you'll want to consider, Microsoft products are expensive to buy individually, so ideally you want to be sure that the laptop you purchase comes already with the required programs. (like Microsoft Office)
Though there are free alternatives as well, for example instead of Microsoft Office, OpenOffice (www.openoffice.org) could also be used.


Your probably best to first list all the things you know you do and don't need, and then working out what package is best. I know all to well it's easy to go overboard, every single friend of mine that isn't computer savvy, has bought well and above what they need....they just look at the big numbers and go woooo

Without knowing all the details, for a student, I would think if the laptop had 256MB RAM, a 40GB Harddrive, a CD Writer, Windows XP, Microsoft Office....you'd be set for all the things you've described.
I'd personally probably go for something closer to 512MB RAM and a 60GB hard drive, but I like to store a bit of music etc.. which can take up space.


I would also (very strongly) suggest that being a student, you want to look at software that will backup important information, ideally straight to CD or DVD.
And if your purchasing a Dell branded laptop I'd also suggest the extended warranty ....actually I'd probably suggest that for any brand if it's on offer, laptops aren't cheap to fix


For plenty of other information, you could try searching for "laptop buying guide" or something similar
http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&safe=off&rls=GGLJ%2CGGLJ%3A2006-05%2CGGLJ%3Aen&q=laptop+buying+guide&meta=