Computer/Network questions. I need multiple computers for internet based school. Which way to go?

[HBARleatherneck]

computer/internet questions

[Ridge]

Do you need all 4 systems working independently of each other? If that's the case, you'll probably need 4 seperate systems. Hook them together with a 5 port switch, and you're ready to go.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...se_Refurbished

They're slow, but they're robust.

[00tec]

Microcenter has some of the refurbished business machines. Usually compact dell towers. Cheap

Ridge beat me to it. They're not the BEST out there, but they do the job just fine. It's what we have at work for the most part.

[RblDiver]

Here's a Bing search for cheap laptops under $100. I don't know anything about these, but it's a start. (A very quick glance says that their screens are smaller than 20", but again, it's just a starting point for research).
http://www.bing.com/search?q=Cheap+L...+100&FORM=R5FD

You wouldn't really need an additional keyboard for them. Wireless mice are OK I suppose, but A) you have to worry about changing the batteries (not "frequently," but still "eventually")(and I'm a cheap bastard about them! lol), and B) they cost more than a wired mouse (which can be dirt cheap for the most basic ones).

[RblDiver]

Oh, and for having them all on the internet at the same time, you'll also need a router (for 4-5 computers at once, you might need both the computers and the router to support wireless, since in my experience there are usually only 4 wired ports).

[spyder]

I would think a wireless router that could support all of your computers would be fine. Ours supported my wife's laptop, my laptop, my daughters computer (connections academy), and each of our bluray players using Netflix.... I would think that it could easily support four computers for just school stuff (which doesn't really use up that much bandwidth).

[RblDiver]

Indeed, just making sure (I always wire my computers since wireless is poor for gaming, but I don't even know if you CAN find a router anymore that doesn't have wireless support heh).

[Ridge]

I have a 5 port 10/100 switch, if that is what you need.

[cfortune]

Any idea what your internet speed is? Might want to take that into consideration. Multiple people streaming video might make you run into some quality issues.

[RblDiver]

Another idea could be tablets. For instance, here's one from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blackberry-Pla...=cheap+tablets

New it's $160 from Amazon (or at least their primary vendor, they list other new offers at $139 and used at $88). I know Blackberry used to have almost a corner on the market on smartphones, so even though they're not as popular now I'm sure you'd get a good tablet (it has good ratings too). It has a front-facing camera for that web chat you were talking about. As for keyboard and mouse, it wouldn't have that (tablets have a built-in "screen keyboard" and touch screen, so they don't particularly use them), but I know that'd make typing papers and the like more difficult. I'm trying to see if there are any keyboards with a "micro usb" connector (since that's what that tablet has). I also haven't checked if it has bluetooth-capabilities, since a bluetooth keyboard'd also work.