I'm getting a laptop to help with my course which is combined word excel and outlook, which will take me up to level 2. Will the most basic cheap laptop do for this and will it come with these programmed in or do you purchase then separate or summat

Answer:
An entry level laptop will suffice in what you need to do with school. Most of the Microsoft Office Suite application do not require much. Typically, they’ll bundle Microsoft Works. But if you really need Outlook and Excel and Word, you’ll have to buy it. It will probably have a trial version installed.
Answer:
Acer's are excellent cheap laptops that run on bare minimums and are excellent for simple world wide web access and running office applications.

(newegg.com) is an excellent site for inexpensive laptops.

Edit: Oh and one more thing Microsoft is now offering the “Ultimate Steal Deal” Which is microsoft office 2007 for $59.99

Answer:
Yes. they'll come with those applications.

At Ideal Purchase they have good sales. look at this.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?…

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?…

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?…

Although the best of those is the Gateway.

Good luck

Answer:
You can buy a laptop for $200, but it will definitely be “cheap”… Go for one in the $400-$600 range, and yes, you will normally have to buy Office separately.

Good Luck!

Answer:
Yes a basic laptop will do all that and more. Read customer reviews and get a better idea.
Answer:
I think a Macbook Air will do the job as they have the ability to do everything that you need your laptop to do

Really hope this helps