I have a Compaq that was reasonable yet not low on features.I think it was about $550.00.V5207NR.Its just a celeron m processor with 515 MB memory 60gb harddrive and has a DVD burner and even a wide screen.Does everything I want it to and some.

Let us know what price range you would like to be in, ie less that $1000, $1000-$1500 etc. Would you plan on carrying it with you anywhere or is it a strictly desktop replacement because, some notebooks have screens which vary from 14"-17" and as they get bigger, they get heavier. For your info, screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner. I have a Toshiba Satellite with a 15.4" screen, 1.8Ghz Celeron processor that I have been using for the last 2-3 years and have had no problems. All my experience in the last 10years has been with Toshiba and IBM laptops (now Lenovo)I see you are from the States, so, keep an eye out at your local BestBuy, Circuit City, etc, there are good deals out there.
For what you need, a Celeron processor, with 512MB of memory or more, 60 or 80G HDD (which is pretty standard) should do you fine and then some would probably set you back about $500 US on sale
Example- looking at CC on line, there is a 15." Toshiba Satellite A135 S2266, Celeron processor, 80G HDD for $499

Here is a link that might be useful: Example

Thx JohnDeere, a lot less expensive then a used JD hay baler my DH just bought,but then he'd tell me his is tax deductible. You probably know about the prices of those too!

Thx for the link genes. The $500. price range sounds wonderful. A friend told me probably about $700.. I will be taking it with me a couple times a month, but not on a daily basis. I have a very nice ViewSonic FP monitor and would probably hook up to it when at home, provided this only means plugging in the VS, so the large screen is not that important. I see 'built in wireless' listed as a salespoint. I do see my daughter working with her 'puter while in the comfort of her recliner. Just one more thing I don't know about, but I'm sure she'd explain. I will be going into the city (I live in the 'boonies') tomorrow and intend to check out the usual BB, CC, etc..

Toshiba Toshiba Toshiba Toshiba...especially if you want to last,

Almost three years ago...time flies... this forum recommended Toshiba...they can take on just about any situation and/or circumstance.

Spend a little more than 500.00...it will last longer in these uncertain computer times.

marf

A new computer will likely come with VISTA operating system installed, so anthing less than 1024MB of memory will give you trouble. Don't forget there are several versions of VISTA, too. For what you want, the home basic version will probably sufice, but you might want to consider home premium. The hardware requirements are greater for premium. So do some reading about requirements for VISTA before you go out and buy.

My Compaq is set up on my wireless internet.I did not have to buy a card it was built right in.I have also taken it with me on trips and it recieves WIFI just fine.I use it along with my desk top that has all the bells and whistles like a full gig of this and that and the latest and greatest hard drive at the time a year ago.But my lap top to be honest does the same exact same thing the fancier desk top does.I use them both to work with digital pictures and the internet.As far as speed goes.I often wonder why I spent so much for the desk top.It does the same thing in the same amount of time?I tell my self next time why pay all that money for a 3800AMD Athalon and 1 gig of memory and a 250GB hard drive and Intergrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics and all that jazz and spend a fortune when a Compaq bottom of the barrel does the same thing? Especially when no matter what you buy this year will be out dated next year anyway.Just my thoughts!I asked around when I bought the desk top also.Found out its alway easy for help to spend my money.I never asked when I bought the lap top and saved a pile.

Granniek;
Whatever big box store you decide to get the computer at, do not get any warranty from them. Toshiba offers a 1 yr warranty regardless and if you wish to extend that, get it thru Toshiba not at BestBuy or CC. You have 364 days to make up your mind after you purchase a Toshiba to get the extended warranty or 30 days from purchase if you wish to get the accidental insurance ie to cover spillage, dropping etc

Granniek;
I forgot to notice on that $499 Toshiba that it came with Vista, others are absolutely correct, it should have at least 1G or memory for that to work well and not the 512MB . I was thinking WinXP. The $799 which was a few more down looks nice (A135-S4407)with a larger/faster processor and more memory and HDD space

You guys are wonderful, thx for all the input. I doubt very seriously that I'll be buying today, so keep the tips coming. I really wish I could staywith my WinXp, but it seems everything comes with Vista installed. I'm wondering about Dell, since they advertise they build to your specs. I've lots to consider before I purchase. Hopefully this 'oldie machine' will keep me going for a bit longer.

I have to disagree with not atleast considering a Bestbuy extended warranty.The Geek Squad is not bad and you can get a accidental protection coverage along with a service agreement at Bestbuy.

Not sure how Toshiba handles there coverage.But I would think you would have to send it in or take it to a service repair center?ThatS fine if your lucky to have one near by.But with Bestbuy you take it to them and in most cases its repaired right there.If its a desk top they come to your door if you have in home service.

I have purchased a lot of electronics at Bestbuy.I have never had a problem with service when needed.Also they have phone support for computers they sell.They are helpful and friendly when you call in with a problem.The big plus to that is you will never have to talk to Joe or Bob from India.

Ever had bestbuy service a toshiba laptop, or other make laptop ?

There are authorized Toshiba Repair centers in most cities.
If I drive a Mercedes, I dont take it to Toyota for servicing. If extended warranties or accidental coverage is needed, go with the manufacturer (in this case Toshiba). I still stand by that

Here is a question I'll throw out: Suppose you buy a preconfig Vista from the BBox store, but you are enamored with your XP OS and are in no hurry to switch to vista. Could you pick up an $80 copy of XP Pro, assuming it's still on sale out there, somewhere, delete the preconfigured Vista and install the XP? Just a thought. Oh and BTW, I now have Vista on my new Toshiba laptop (I don't love it or hate it, just trying to take it all in), and there is a option in the control panel that enables you to set it to the classic XP look, where the desktop and start menu will stay just as it is in XP.
--J

You might not want to install something way old like perhaps 98 because it may have hardware that never had win98 drivers ever written for it. XP should work fine.

Thx for the thought J. If I do buy with Vista installed, and it seems that I will, I will learn how to use it, just like I did when I switched from 95 to Xp! The 'old dog' would rather not have to learn new tricks, but she can still manage! A friend who volunteered to take me shopping, says I will be happy with it once I've learned how to use it. Classic Xp setting sounds like it would help.

Finally bought the laptop. I got the Toshiba
A135-S4447. Intel Core Processor, 1024 MB, 80 GB HDD, Vista Home Premium. All I've done is take it out of the box and scanned through all the booklets included. Very little info on operation, nothing on Vista. So I'm off to on-line bookstores and see if there's a 'dummies' book for Vista.

Quote:Here is a question I'll throw out: Suppose you buy a preconfig Vista from the BBox store, but you are enamored with your XP OS and are in no hurry to switch to vista. Could you pick up an $80 copy of XP Pro, assuming it's still on sale out there, somewhere, delete the preconfigured Vista and install the XP? Just a thought. Oh and BTW, I now have Vista on my new Toshiba laptop (I don't love it or hate it, just trying to take it all in), and there is a option in the control panel that enables you to set it to the classic XP look, where the desktop and start menu will stay just as it is in XP. Quote

The big problem people are finding now with laptops especially because of different drivers/manufacturers utilities, is not all drivers are avail when switching from XP to Vista. One would have to make sure the reverse also has been addressed with the newest laptops ie drivers for XP avail for those laptops that came with Vista. Alot of people are jumping with the change and not checking first. Shortly after, they are back on these forums complaining about this function not working, or that function.