LapTop advice please

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:15 am

Hi all:-6,

I'm finally going to break down and buy a Dell lap top. I'm so sick of my XP and trying to rearrange all the wires.

Can anyone give me advice on which one to buy? I'd mostly use it for Excel, data processing, downloading pictures and internet surfing. I'd like it wireless and be able to hook it into a printer at times.

Thanks,

Kathy Ellen

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:24 am

Kathy Ellen;731119 wrote: Hi all:-6,

I'm finally going to break down and buy a Dell lap top. I'm so sick of my XP and trying to rearrange all the wires.

Can anyone give me advice on which one to buy? I'd mostly use it for Excel, data processing, downloading pictures and internet surfing. I'd like it wireless and be able to hook it into a printer at times.

Thanks,

Kathy Ellen

If I knew what I was talking about I'd be the first to give you advise, but seeing that I don't know what I'm talking about, I'll be the first to not give you advise

:-4

Post by **spot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:26 am

The cheapest they do does all that, it's called the Inspiron 1501. The screen's as wide as I'm using for spreadsheets and graphics - it's not quite as deep but close enough. You pay twice as much for a larger screen.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:30 am

Thanks Spot...I'll look into it....I don't even know how to navigate a laptop. I was told that I can buy a wireless mouse.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:30 am

For hubbys business I have a Dell Inspiron 1501

AMD® Turionâ„¢ 64 X2 Mobile Technology

Vista Business

2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM

120GB Harddrive

plus other stuff

Just ordered my girls one each for xmas but with 1024 mb and vista home.

Wireless straight out of the box and ready to go, maybe put microsoft office or works on yours for excel etc..

Had my laptop since february and use it everynight in lapbed mode ( in bed lol) and never had one ounce of problems.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:31 am

I use a USB mouse with mine Kathy, the touch pad is great but a tad tricky for gaming..

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:37 am

Thanks Chezzie:-4

That 1501 sounds like a winner. So the wireless laptops just run on batteries, right. I didn't realize that a Notebook was a laptop computer. There's a lot to learn about laptops.

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:39 am

yeah Dell are one of the best,

i would like a dell next.

also i use a little mouse that plugs into the USB it wonderful as i can't

get use to the little pad, the mouse icon ends up all over the place :wah:

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:42 am

Thanks Giggles, can't wait to buy something soon. Couldn't log onto CZ...do you know why:-6

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:43 am

Kathy Ellen;731143 wrote: Thanks Giggles, can't wait to buy something soon. Couldn't log onto CZ...do you know why:-6

no me neither i could get on the chat box but not click on any of the threads but

Susie has sent an e-mail to the company so hopefully back on soon,

I know Neffy is also having the same trouble chicky :-4

Post by **spot** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:51 am

Can I suggest that you get a full-size Microsoft Optical Wheel mouse to go with it rather than a cheaper model? They're maybe $25 if you shop around a bit. It makes a huge difference having a reliable mouse. I'm not much impressed with wireless mice either, you have to change the batteries for one thing.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:53 am

Thanks Spot...I will absolutely do that...copying all this info down........

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:58 am

i have one of these by Trust,

and its brilliant

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:02 am

Wow, thanks Giggles, think I might be in business soon.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:03 am

I have a Gateway laptop, much better than the Dell one I have at school. I definitely would not want a Dell at home. Shop around, and enjoy getting your own laptop.

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:08 am

spot;731130 wrote: The cheapest they do does all that, it's called the Inspiron 1501. The screen's as wide as I'm using for spreadsheets and graphics - it's not quite as deep but close enough. You pay twice as much for a larger screen.

Kathy....I bought this one on spot's advice and I love it to bits.

It's a crackin' wee laptop

:-6

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:36 am

Hello Kathy My sweet friend:

I have a dell laptop and I LOVE it, I've had it for 2 years now, its an Inspirion 2200, nothing fancy and its wireless (connection to the internet) I hook up a mouse to mine all the time, not a fan of the wireless mouses...and the one that is built in to the laptop drives me batty.....

I also plug mine in at home a lot, to save on my batteries....

I don't know if this will interest you, but if you go to the Dell Website there is a place you can go to, called Outlet, they have equipment that is re-furbished, dented or returned for a lesser cost. That is how I got mine and I've NEVER had any problems.

here is the link:

http://www.dell.com/content/default.asp ... lid=312680

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:58 am

Thank you so much Chonsi, Pinkchick and Wendy,l

I copying all this info and hope to buy something next week.

Chonsi, Just wondering why you don't like the Dell laptop.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:10 pm

If you are computer savy, you will like it if you have to fix something-call service is online. They will talk to you, to help you fix the problem while online. Turn around time when sending a laptop in to fix in-shop runs about 12 months here in MD. (otherwise, it is out of pocket expense) I find that a negative aspect of it.

It depends on what you are looking for in a laptop-spot is very knowledgable about them, he gives good advice on what your needs are. I wanted a laptop for word processing, net was a secondary concern. I went with a good machine, at about 1/3-1/2 of the cost of a new Dell with the same capabilities. If you want to do graphics, photos, etc. then you might definitely want a different type of laptop.

I got my laptop at Best Buy, bought the warranty so the Geeks would fix it if something happens. I was impressed with them, when they took off all my memory off the computer that fried-saved every piece of research and graphic I had.(my backup copy and everything fried-holey moley!) I would rather take it to them, then send out important materials to somewhere else, where I would be without it for a year. It took 3 days for a CD copy of my materials to be in my hands-some things are priceless. My research is to little old me, who writes every day, and has time schedules for publications. I breathed a sigh of relief when the CD was put into my hand. I keep that CD nice and cozy in the safety deposit box, with multiple copies.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:14 pm

Thank you Chonsi, I'm listening to everyone's advice......

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:19 pm

SuzyB;731127 wrote: If I knew what I was talking about I'd be the first to give you advise, but seeing that I don't know what I'm talking about, I'll be the first to not give you advise

:-4

SUZY:-4:-4,

I just realized that you posted. How are you my friend...good I hope.

I think I'm leaning towards Spot's and Chezzie's Dell 1501 laptop. Can't wait to get a new computer.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:40 pm

I could give you some lap dance advice but that probably wouldnt help.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:06 pm

Just a note to say thank you to all who have given advice to me, especially to Chezzie and Spot. I finally bought a Dell laptop and am just loving it...

YES, I am now addicted to laptops. I never thought that I needed a laptop until I went on holidays and missed logging onto the FG. Thanks Giggles, I bought a wireless mouse because of you and it is a prize for me. I also have lojack:wah:

I'm a happy tekkie now...but I have a lot to learn:-1

Thanks again....:-6

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:58 pm

Kathy Ellen I live and breath DELL equipment at work and at home it is reliable, sturdy and their Laptops can take a beating and keep on working.

Spot and others have given you good advice you can't go wrong with a Dell unless you just get a lemon which doesn't happen that often.

I'm not a Fan of Vista but the Home edition isn't bad. Make sure its "Dual Core processing with at least 1gig of RAM anything less and it will be to slow to run Vista.

I'm not a fan of "Gateway" not sure you can even buy them anymore. My Niece was given one it is a piece of junk. Looks pretty but is crap.

You will love having a laptop and Dell has a nice feel to their laptop keyboards.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:21 pm

I'm really beginning to hate my Dell laptop and all the components that came with it....the wirless mouse keeps losing contact with the computer, the Trent Security has issues with Dell, and the Netgear router is having issues. I can't turn off the laptop properly, so says dell, and then it has to go into safety mode.

Guess I'm just stupid about these issues and have to call someone again to help me:-5 Not happy with calling Dell because everything seems to be honky dorey with them. It's always the other guy who's causing problems...call Netgear...call Trend...well, no one is home when I call.......not a live person to talk with.....

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:43 pm

Trent Security... We are the largest, full service electronic security and fire alarm company in the Peterborough area. We have the only ALARM MONITORING STATION in the Peterborough area. Our coverage area extends to Lindsay, Oshawa, Port Hope, Cobourg, Campbellford, Apsley, Haliburton and Minden.

I'm wrong but I don't know what's right.

As for the mouse I'm still not sure why you went for a wireless one (I hope the keyboard isn't!). Can you get hold of a non-wireless Microsoft Optical Wheel mouse and try that as a replacement for a month or so, see if it's different? Don't, whatever you do, go into a high street store and buy one, they'll double the price through sheer habit.

Can you describe the Netgear router problem? Every one of these bits is fixable, nobody should have a computer that's not behaving the way they want.

eta: Ah. Trend Security...

Internet Security Pro, Internet Security 2008, AntiVirus plus Anti-Spyware 2008? One of those?

Is it still on free trial or are you subscribed?

Why did you choose it?

eeta: I went and looked...

http://us.trendmicro.com/us/support/pc- ... ell-users/

Is this anything to do with http://esupport.trendmicro.com/support/ ... EN-1035671 ?

Have you any good reason for wanting to use pc-cillin at all, other than that the laptop arrived with it installed? It wouldn't be my first choice.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:17 pm

Netgear was not making a connection between my desktop computer, laptop, 2 printers and wireless mouse which it did when Dell set up my laptop in my home. My tekkie guy showed me how netgear found all 4 network wireless laptops on my block, but it didn't find mine. He called netgear and was told that they wouldn't replace my router because my warranty was one day late. It's funny that they gave me a 21 day warranty from the day that I purchased my computer, not the time that it was delivered to my house. They wouldn't bend the rule for 1 day:mad:

I bought a wireless mouse because I like to use my computer away from home, on a plane or at a resort area. I didn't want to depend on electricity with a mouse that I had to attach. I'm just not used to a laptop yet and have a lot to learn. I'm not sure yet if I really like the wireless touch pad. It seems awkward for me sometmes....the mouse is so much faster. I will try another mouse when I have a chance. That's a good idea using it in my house.

About Trend....I took the advice of Dell and ordered this security and the router. I'm not happy with both. I definitely plan to look into another security. I have Norton on my desktop computer, and I'm happy with it now...haven't had any problems or viruses. I will look into the sites you posted this weekend.

Thanks Spot:-6

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm

My Trend expiration date is 2011. I would be happy getting a new security though.