Sigh.

[mariness]

So, the main computer is, in the cheery words of Best Buy, "undergoing several significant structural problems," which is a kindly term for "completely fried." (The key here was the fact that the computer spontaneously went into System Restore without my permission, which I thought was odd at the time, and turns out to be very odd indeed.) Adding

Comments

[oldcharliebrown]

I assume we're talking about a desktop . . . what's the maximum price?

[oldcharliebrown]

And do you want something with XP or 7? This is important as very few computers still come with XP . . . but I point this only out because if your main computer was XP, then some of the software won't work on 7 (Home version).

[mariness]

The main computer was Windows 7 - I just got it in April, and XP wasn't available on anything, so Windows 7 it was. I checked with Microsoft and it will be very easy to exchange my license for Office 2010, which was the only additional software, other than, well, iTunes and Avast, that I had in there.

And actually this will be a laptop - I can't sit up for long periods, so a desktop is impractical (although, if we do end up moving, I might be able to set something up in a new room. Maybe.) The refund amount is around $800, so that's the price range.

[oldcharliebrown]

A netbook or a full-sized laptop?

[mariness]

Full sized laptop. I'm using a netbook (Samsung) now and I am seriously overusing its capacity; also, well, we don't have cable and won't be getting it any time soon, so the laptop is also going to be my television set/telephone.

[oldcharliebrown]

Personally I would recommend Dell, specifically this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Inspiron+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+X4+Processor+/+6GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive/9941275.p?skuId=9941275&id=1218198437877

If you would like to clarify why, or compare it to other machines, let me know. Of course it could exceed your budget . . .

[mariness]

I am currently arguing with my budget about whether or not I should put the refund towards a Macbook that won't break, so...My budget may be winning this battle :(

The desktop is out, but I'm definitely willing to look at a Dell.

[mdg1]

I've been using a MacBook for years without complaints.

However... Office for Mac isn't 100% compatible with the Windows version. A new version is expected in October, though.

[dewline]

You know me: happy Mac laptop user for seven years now. Two years with the new MacBook, and the old iBook's still at hand if/when I need it as a back-up option.

[oldcharliebrown]

http://shannonclark.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/how-to-deauthorize-a-dead-computer-for-itunes/

[mariness]

Thanks! Ok, that one will be easy enough.

[dewline]

Thanks from me also. Will be bookmarking this as a "Just in Case" option.

[bondo_ba]

Totally with you here. I'm not sure if HP's machines are that much worse than all the rest, but their post-sale service in incredibly bad. Incredibly.

I've blogged about my issues here.

I will never buy another HP laptop (or product of any other sort, if possible) as long as I live.

[mariness]

Making it even worse, even though the problem is clearly HP's fault (not Best Buy or Microsoft), Best Buy is the one refunding the computer