[Question] Good laptop for Skype

Dave · Apr 3, 2014

So we're going to get Zach a laptop that has Skype on it because more than likely his cell phone won't work in Korea. But as you military people know, shit goes missing a lot. So we don't want to spend a lot, but we want him to be able to Skype.

Is Skype video driver dependent? In other words, does it need a good video card to Skype? I don't think we can afford one that he'd be able to use for gaming, but for Skype, email or watching movies I think we can get one pretty reasonable.

Thoughts?

PatrThom · Apr 3, 2014

Just about anything since 2010 will have a video card capable of accelerating video decode.
Make sure it has a built-in camera and microphone and you're good to go, or go with a USB add-on.
Skype is supported on Win/Mac/Linux*, so you have choices.

--Patrick
*with certain restrictions.

jwhouk · Apr 4, 2014

The one thing to avoid is any of the netbooks that use Chrome as their OS. Chrome doesn't like Skype.

Dave · Apr 4, 2014

Good to know! I was looking at one of those!

strawman · Apr 4, 2014

You might consider a tablet as well. A refurb iPad mini goes for $250 from Apple, can be found cheaper elsewhere, and can be locked to an apple account so is less of a target for thieves than ipads used to be.

Still relatively expensive, but it just works, and you can find chargers and service centers for it worldwide. Don't need to worry about drivers, or anything. Load skype and go.

GasBandit · Apr 4, 2014

A small tablet, such as a Nexus 7, is excellent for Skype, e-mail and watching movies (though it has no video out to hook up to a larger TV/projector), and is pretty inexpensive. They even can do cellular data now, unlike at launch, and still cost under $200.

Amazon product

Dave · Apr 4, 2014

I hadn't even considered a tablet. That's a hell of an idea.

Chad Sexington · Apr 4, 2014

If he wants to watch movies consider a 10" tablet, it's more enjoyable; and for sending long emails, a bluetooth keyboard is basically a must in my mind. I hate typing out paragraphs and paragraphs on a touch screen, although I have done it.

Thread Necromancer · Apr 7, 2014

I have found that skype is pretty forgiving with at least anything realatively modern. 2010 as stated earlier is a pretty good bet. The nexus tablet was my go to for.a.long time last year for skype, moviea, books all of the above until i picked up a not to bad little netbook from.a pawn shop. Windows 7, decent little machine, not for gaming though. Cost: 65 dollars. Dont be afraid to look to a pawn shop and be willing to haggle, you might be abpe to pick up more than you think.

Dave · Apr 7, 2014

We got him an iPad mini. It runs everything he needs to Skype us. We also got a Survivor case for it because he's going to be in some interesting places. It guards against rain, sand, 6' drop, etc. It's really, really cool & durable. We also paid $28 extra to get the full replacement warranty just in case.

And let me just say...Thanks, North_Ranger. You saved our trip and communications with my son.