Looking for a small 13 or 14" laptop. I don't need much Ram but i also don't want it to be slow.I don't know what to look for with all of the tech. terms out there. I would like windows XP. I also do not want to pay too much either.
BTW: Is a refurbished laptop a bad idea?

I'd never buy any second hand computer equipment especially a lap top - they often lead a hard life and technology is still leaping along so it would be out of date quite quickly.

Take a look at Netbooks may be they fit your budget.

What is the difference between a netbook and a laptop?

Well the Netbooks are using smaller lower powered processors. In effect they have the same sort of computing power as an average 4 year old laptop. They tend to have a 1GB of RAM but with a modern sized hard disk (for a laptop not a desk top - so you won't get 1 TB of space)

The idea behind these Netbooks is that they are smaller lighter and last for longer on batteries. They are meant to be more portable particularly compared with some large screened laptops with desktop processing powers on the market.

Basically if you want something for a couple of years (say 3) and you want to email, surf the web, and do a bit of word processing then I guess they'd be fine. Over here they retail for about 200 euros upwards (probably for about the same money in USD where you are). If you want to do gaming and 3D CAD modeling then this is not the option for you!

Thanks for the info.

I have purchased a number of business lease return laptops with great success, but I stick to Panasonic Toughbooks.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

What is a Toughbook?

I am going to need a wireless router. What is a good brand,and what should i look for?

Toughbook is a line of laptops made by Panasonic that are ruggedized. Meaning, they are tough. I had one get a full glass of beer right on the keyboard while it was on... quick rinse with some water, and kept right on working. Shock, water and dust resistant. Used in many military and police applications.

http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/toughbook-products.asp

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Do people still buy 802.11g routers?

Sure. Why buy an 802.11n router when most of the country's outbound internet connection caps out at 3 or 5 mbps? That and the updated firmware from linksys works very well and my five year old unit works very well.

No reason to go out and spend a lot of money when $40 can get you a decent router with a somewhat rich set of features for the home environment.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Well, for me the advantage is not the broadband connection, but the "intra" connection for streaming data within the "house."

I've been streaming to my xbox over our wifi network for a while now. G has been more than enough to handle some of my 1080p divx files.

I rarely try and send files over the network. It's easier to just sneakernet the file over my external hard drive.

For the OP though I think he'll be fine getting an older 802.11g wireless router

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

No, I built a smoothwall firewall and connected it to my Gigabit switch. No wireless here.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

A Panny Toughbook is to computing, what a pair of Doc Martens are to shoes . .