I think every new laptop has wifi internet ready to go on it but just ask them to show you how it works to make sure.
The wifi should pick up any signal that is in the area, just make sure you have your security set up. {firewall, anti virus, anti spyware, email protection- that sort of thing.

the Internet Security Suites cover the whole shebang pretty nicely.

you can change a lot of the Vista settings to make it look more like XP - I set up my aunts new laptop for her so it would be more like what she was used to.

MS Works 9 info -
[ Get things done quickly and easily with Microsoft Works 9

Works can help you coordinate everything from little tasks to large projects. You can stay on top of your busy schedule, update your contact list, manage a household budget and keep up with your correspondence. Works gives you the basic tools you need to make your tasks easier from start to finish.

# Use the Works Word Processor to easily create letters, resumes, greeting cards and more, with customizable templates, improved proofing tools and a built-in dictionary.
# Keep to-do’s organized, plan home improvements, or track your personal budget with the Works Spreadsheet.
# Combine up to 32 different calendars into one view to keep track of everyone’s plans with the Works Calendar.
# Store addresses, lists, or home inventories in the Works Database.
# Share & edit Works Word Processor and Spreadsheet files with Microsoft® Office Word and Microsoft® Office Excel and vice versa.* ]http://www.microsoft.com/products/works/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=003&active_tab=Features

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/pr...635841033.aspx
Home and Student 1
$149.95
*1 Office Home and Student 2007 Retail License Terms allow for installation on three devices.
OEM License Terms limit the installation to the device on which the software was pre-installed.

Office Standard 2007
Standard
$399.95 | $239.95

there is a free office suite (The free and open productivity suite)
[OpenOffice.org 2 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose. ]http://why.openoffice.org/
screenshots- http://why.openoffice.org/why_great.html

I downloaded it about a yr ago, it is set up quite a bit like MS Office & ya can't beat the price