Um. Help please?

[severina2001]

So the computer died again this morning. I manage to breathe life back into it, but da-yum. I can feel the grey hairs sprouting.

I did a quick look online to try to get some idea of prices and such, and I'm so hopelessly lost. Can any computer savvy people on my flist help me out

Comments

[wordsalone]

*sneaks in*

*points to icon*

*sneaks out*

[meimur]

Heh...subtle!

[severina2001]

I have a hard enough time handling the PC's that I've had for 8574632 years.

[tamalinn]

people say dell sucks, but you should know that dell recycles. unlike most computer manufacturers. :O) that's why i like dell. which probably doesn't help you out at all. i'm just... yeah. into socially responsible, if not, you know, functionally responsible.

[etharei]

Because I'm a total busybody ^_^

Thing is, I used to be a big desktop fan. Then I got my first laptop, and now I'm a big laptop fan :-D

OMG 200GB AND 2.0GHz PROCESSOR!!!

*drools*

But... no speakers? The no hard drive thing isn't that big of a deal, IMHO. You can always buy external drives and plug it in if it's absolutely necessary, but I haven't even touched a floppy in years (you know, in the right wrong context that last phrase could sound dodgy

[severina2001]

Yeah, they are average requirements, and I'm probably freaking out over nothing, but I've had SO many problems with this stinkin' HP that I just don't want to go through it all again.

I have speakers on this computer, which I can probably just plug in to the new one? I never use floppys so that's not a problem.

Are you currently using a Toshiba laptop? Coz the laptop I linked to is a Toshiba. 1.73GHz Intel Celeron Processor, 1G SDRAM, 80G HD. It sounds good to me. It just doesn't have *anything* loaded on it, which would mean I'd have to buy Word (or Works)... and a router. And a carrying case. Ouch.

I am going to sound like the stupidest bitch on the planet when I go into the store. And I'm okay with that.

[tamalinn]

i've never had a problem with my dell. i mean, there was that huge boot issue, but that's the ram i bought (that's not from dell), not the computer itself. and it's weird that you say that about compaqs, because i've never had anything but problems with them, and everyone i know who's had a compaq has hated them too. yours must be blessed. or ours cursed.

but i'm going to keep talking up dell, because unlike most other manufacturers, dell recycles their computers and parts, and they make it easier for their customers to do so as well. and i'm a big proponent of socially responsible companies. :o) also, i have stock in them. but that's beside the point. ;o)

[agneson9]

I've read what everyone else has said here and there's not much to add. Except for some notes on my system and experiences. I technically own two computers a desktop and a laptop, both Dell and they are very old... circa 2000 maybe they came to me as ex-Lease or ex-Rental in 2001/2. I've only had a handful (5-ish for both) of crashes but they've been resolved via reboot. But in the last, I dunno, 4 years the desktop has become the 'server' and I (and my brother) work exclusively off laptops/notebooks.

- play online (need ethernet card)

new computers should have this option built in either view ethernet or wireless, but juteux's already gone into this

- be able to make music CDs

as long as the computer has a build in CD and/or DVD burner AND software you are good to go. my computer only had a CD reader drive, the solution was to attach an external burner which I think you can get for pretty cheap (don't for get ebay)

bestbuy.ca external burner: $50-$100/$120.

- be able to play computer gamesThis means a LOT of RAM, at least 512Mb, 1G

[severina2001]

Thank you for responding!

as long as the computer has a build in CD and/or DVD burner AND software you are good to go.

So that means, I need to find one that is, um, R and W? Reads and writes? If I ask if it has a CD/DVD burner, does that mean that the software to run it is automatically included? (I don't understand why they'd sell it without the necessary software.) Or do I need to specifically ask about the software?

After the last crash when I lost all my music/video files, I moved them all to mediamax. So. Hopefully they will be safe there.

A question about routers, if I may. What is the range that the laptop can be away from the router? I love the idea of sitting outside on my balcony this summer, playing online and writing.

[agneson9]

yes, RW. check if software is included and if you've paid for a full installation or is it just trial software.

the range.. depends on the product (e.g. speed over range), depends on a lot of variables... like walls LOL but they cover at least 4m between the router and you. there's a some that go up to 1 mile/1.5 km.

[agneson9]

ETA I was looking up some info on RAM and such and found this article (5 Ways to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck When Buying a Dell Computer)

[anonymous]

You can hook up a regular PC monitor to your laptop. And a keyboard and mouse. So the small screen size is only relevant away from home