>Looking for something that is very, very basic, DVD, has wireless capability, and will run a couple scanning programs. It will be used for a nine-year old to play movies and surf the net, and also to take to family to scan photos and download images. I was visualizing something alread desgigned for lightweight duty like this, but am having a hard time finding anything. I can google fairly well, so I'm looking more for an opinion/recommendation of someone who has already owns or come across something. Maybe I'm visualizing something that doesn't exist too. I can find cheap laptops, but they are either very outdated or made by companies I've never heard of in countries I've barely heard of. Thanks!

Go to some of the used pc sites that offer older models for sale. Doesn't matter if its outdated, if it does the job you want it to do. My kid has a 7 year old t20 ibm thinkpad that is still going strong and performs well enough for him to play music and surf. Add a wireless card and a scanner and you'd be in business.

On the other hand, I recently purchased a laptop from BestBuy with dual core processors, 160 gig hard drive, 1 gig memory, built in wireless, dvd, etc... $599.00. So the deals are out there, you just have to look.

Try Tiger Direct, pc Wharehouse, Best Buy, Microcenter, CompUsa....etc.