I am looking to get a laptop strictly for the purpose of browsing web, checking email, video chat and being able to open multiple (3 or so) windows on a cam site and watch live cams. I want to be able to easily connect to Wi-fi when traveling/staying in hotels. Please advise.
What you describe uses very little CPU resources. You can get nearly any laptop (avoid netbooks) to do what you want to do.
most laptops have a webcam
I think all laptops have wifi
ideally test the multi-windows cam site to ensure it works well.
The only weakness I can see is your hotel when travelling.
some hotel rooms have deadzones. Small devices (eg netbooks and tablets) will find these deadzones more easily than laptops
how fast is hotel wifi? I use SpeedTest and/or Shaw Speed Test to ensure I have something over 2 Mbps before trying video. 5 Mbps is better
will the hotel wifi be overloaded at night by too many others using video?
personally I carry a portable wifi hotspot when the hotel wifi is overloaded and I need to get my work done. Warning using a cellular mobile hotspots can add up (expeically video), so I use Roam Mobility with a large data plan when travelling in the states.
