Bolas 5 #26 October 8, 2007 If you want a Mac just get parallels so you can run your Windows program or run XP from a Virtual Machine on the Mac. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #27 October 8, 2007 Quote yes - just a few big things. Come April will be my panic posts - i.e. "How do I move all this stuff?," "What do I take with me?," "Coming to a city near you...(as I do the "see as many people as I can before I leave thing"), etc. Two words: Garage Sale What's the point of keeping much of anything if you're moving to the West Indies? Quote Can you even get XP anymore? Seems like all the systems that I'm looking at come with Vista only. ARG!!! Yes. Look at the Dell Vostro 1500. It doesn't have all that trial-ware installed on it too, so that's even better.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RhondaLea 4 #28 October 8, 2007 Quote Can you even get XP anymore? Seems like all the systems that I'm looking at come with Vista only. ARG!!! If you ask, you should be allowed to downgrade from Vista to XP. http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf Quote I'm definitely going to buy a router , a printer and a webcam (as I'm probably not going to have a phone since all my calls will be international and as a result not cheap). Some laptops now come with webcams built in, which is handy. As for the router, just remember it isn't going to to do you any good when you're away from home using someone else's wireless connection. Get a good firewall. I know I said Outpost ($39), but Comodo's free firewall gets better ratings than most firewalls on the market, even the paid ones. If you don't want to pay for antivirus, and you do decide to use AVG, also get a copy of SuperAntiSpyware and SpywareBlaster, which are also free. Quote I already have the student version of Office so I'm just going to install that. I may have to update my license, but I'm sure that'd be cheaper than buying a whole new copy. I'm quite sure you're right, because I think you would have to buy Office Professional to get PowerPoint included, and it's not cheap. Quote RL - Nice to see a post from you. I was thinking more along the lines of having the laptop built where you're going to be, not where you are right now, because if you do the latter, you're going to be in the same boat as someone who orders from an OEM. It seems to me that there's a certain amount of comfort to be had in having a shop down the street where you can take your computer and say, "Hey you guys, you must've put it together the wrong way, because it's not working." Just don't buy Dell. Or if you absolutely have to buy Dell (because of the cost), then order from the business line, not the home line. Quote I definitely appreciate everyone's input (and please keep the suggestions coming). Thank you! My goal is to select a system and purchase it this week. I hope that whatever you get, it treats you well. :) This would be a longer post--and I'd reply to Krisanne too--but I'm at work, and I have piles of files on my desk that are screaming for attention. rlIf you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #29 October 8, 2007 I have had only bad luck with any dell laptop that I have had for work. I only buy thinkpads now for the attorneys I work for. We have about 5 of them and haven't really had any problems. I personally have a thinkpad that I have had since I started college, that I bought used, that is STILL running as a linux server since I retired it from everyday use.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birdshit 0 #30 October 9, 2007 IMHO -- Dell. I have had three of them and they are all rock solid. I have an HP right now that blue screens every hour or so, and my old ibm stinkpad was maddening. Maybe i got a lemon.. dunno Of the three dells, the only problem I ever had was a battery problem where it got really hot and died. Had to replace the battery and after that it worked like a dream. Just picked up a used dell on Ebay for $320.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #31 October 9, 2007 QuoteGo Mac and don't bother with Vista Correct.Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #32 October 9, 2007 I know it's not an option - But I really have had NO problems - ever with my HP.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #33 October 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteGo Mac and don't bother with Vista Correct. Incorrect, this is not a valid option.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinkfairy 0 #34 October 10, 2007 IBMs are much more solid according to several tests, sorry I don't have the links right now, and it's in norwegian. Dells are just bulky heavy without having the solidity that justifies that.Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet. I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LisaM 0 #35 October 10, 2007 I htave 2 Dell laptops and an IBM sitting here on my desk. I don't like the IBM for the fact that it seems flimsier than the Dell. But we have only Dell machines at home so I am very biased. I simply like Dell better. ~ Lisa ~ Do you Rigminder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #36 October 11, 2007 Hey Cora, I've had way too many laptops over the years... IBM, Toshiba, Compaq and now Dell as well as 2 Dell Desktops. The IBM and Toshiba are piece of junk, the compaq was nearly as bad and the Dells are awesome. I actually had a Dell guy come to my house to replace nearly EVERYTHING in it when it would freeze booting up. Turned out to be the external keyboard and mouse I was using... but they didn't take back the new harddrive, memory or power adapter I can't say enough good things about Dell. You can buy Dells with XP. As a software person I'd recommend staying away from Vista until the first service pack. The biggest problem seems to be peripherals... I'm still having problems with various externals on my Vista machine... I actual run a virtual machine inside of my vista machine that has XP on it so I can use some of my externals stuff... I wish I had XP but the 'puter died and my work stuck me with Vista And Bolas... have you ever actually tried to run an OS through a Virtual machine before? I have several peripherals at work as well as some programs I write that I have to run through Virtual Machines and they're as SLOW as shit... I hate VMWare... and I can say that cause my hubby works for EMC now I saw my friend Lenore, who just graduated from Ross last May, last weekend and mentioned you were going and she offered her beach chair/umbrella for sale - best spot near campus she said Sounds rough! Arianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #37 October 11, 2007 Quote I saw my friend Lenore, who just graduated from Ross last May, last weekend and mentioned you were going and she offered her beach chair/umbrella for sale - best spot near campus she said Sounds rough! I may take her up on it. Ah...yes, the rough life... Studying on the beach is definitely a goal - make it as relaxing as is possible.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #38 October 11, 2007 Quote Quote yes - just a few big things. Come April will be my panic posts - i.e. "How do I move all this stuff?," "What do I take with me?," "Coming to a city near you...(as I do the "see as many people as I can before I leave thing"), etc. Two words: Garage Sale What's the point of keeping much of anything if you're moving to the West Indies? Actually, Gawain, the only thing I have left to sell is my piano. Know anyone who is interested in buying one? (Not selling the car as it's paid for and my brother will take care of it while I'm gone. Other than that, it's clothes and personal care items.)Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #39 October 11, 2007 Quote personal care items Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #40 October 11, 2007 Quote Quote personal care items I know what you're thinking Mr. and no, I'm not referring to that in the above statement. Although, I'll admit...I'm trying to think of how to bring that along and not have the TSA people going through it. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #41 October 12, 2007 Quote Quote Quote personal care items I know what you're thinking Mr. and no, I'm not referring to that in the above statement. Although, I'll admit...I'm trying to think of how to bring that along and not have the TSA people going through it. Mail it to yourself You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
