So after much thought - we decided to talk to our daughter and let her know that we wanted to get her a laptop - but that we also have concerns about her use of technology - and that we would only do this with a contract. I'm going to be working on the contract for a while - and would welcome any ideas. So far, I know it will include that I have administrative control of the laptop - which will be used to update programs, run antivirus and antispyware - and generally ensure me that I have access (unlike her ipod which she changed her password on so I don't have access). It also includes that all technology (ipods, laptop, etc) will be in the parent's bedroom - from when it's time to get ready for bed - until after school the next day (or the next morning if there's no school). (not having it in the kitchen over night bc. she'll sneak down and get it if she's awake in the middle of the night. She won't sneak into our bedroom to get it.) This will prevent her from using it in the middle of the night (esp. tempting when her friend lives in Vietnam is is available to chat at those times) - and thinking she can have the laptop open in the bathroom while she's getting ready for bed. For now, I am not setting time limits - but will include that those could get added in the future if we think she's using it too much. The reason to not add it now is that she is using it a bit too much. BUT - that's bc. she loves her new Sims game - which is actually motivating her to do her homework as soon as she comes home. For the first time ever, I do not have to monitor her homework and keep asking her to do it (I still pay attention to what she's doing, but it's nice that the impetus to do it and stay organized is now coming from her). She's also coming out of a serious depression - and having some pretty terrific, responsible behavior - so any limits on amount of her free time spent on the computer - when she's meeting all her responsibilities - isn't as pressing for right now. She's also healing form a broken ankle - so in fairness to her, there's not as much active stuff she can do with her free time. ------------------------------- I have some questions about how to set up her computer so I have administrative control. I have that set up on my computer now - and she can use it as a guest. But if my computer is off - and restarts, she needs the password to get on. She doesn't have the password to my computer (which is how I want it). But I do want her to be able to log into her own computer without me giving her the administrator's password. Is there a way to do this? Set it up so she can start the computer and log in as a guest? Thanks. Lynn.

the links in owbist post are for the version of that laptop with the intel dual core processor that is very different than the celeron processor version you posted asking about. The dual core would be a much better choice however it is of course more expensive, well worth it though. They seem to use the same model number with various processor choices which is a bit confusing. Celerons just do not have much power especially if you will be using it in your office applications.

With all the after Thanksgiving sales going on in the states (if that's where you are)I would check your local fliers for better deals. Keep the specs for that one and see if you can find another (Toshiba, HP, Acer) with same or better specs for less money

Most people wanting to buy are not going to be able to pay cash and avoid a mortgage.... if she tries the same tactics with someone else trying to buy the house AND get a mortgagae it is going to blowup in her face-- she cannot control who is going to do the appraisal for the mortgage company like she did the second appraisal... that house is going to be on the market a while MOST people would have reservations about buying at full value--her asking price--with the mold history. IF you don't find another house you like better in a month or so--that one is probably going to be onthe market...BUT you are going to have to use an agent to buy it... she won't want to deal with you and all you know on a second negotiation... Our situation was somewhat similar.. the house we are currently living in we bought about two years ago when the market/economy was starting to go sour. Our market in DFW had stayed strong longer than most and there was still competition in certain areas for new homes on market. We made offer on this house which the comps showed was overpriced and the sellers (who had built the house) argued that our offer was too low. They said it would cost more to rebuild the house... we said we would pay for appraiser to get 3rd party opinion. We got someone who was familiar with local area--had been past president of the RE assoc before becoming an appraiser...he took comps from past year of homes in neighborhood--some were foreclosures because this neighborhood has some real issues with topography and the economy had hurt sales-- it is also he most expensive neighborhood in this town--the last open land to be built on. Well the appraisal came in with a substantially lower value--done three different ways-- one was at least 30K lower than what seller wanted... he refused to budge off his price more than 10K--and my husband wanted the house we were paying cash as well...and we were the first/only people to offer on it because it was new on the market too. I would have preferred to wait but not my husband... so we bought the house...for more than the appraisal-- really frustrated me because I don't think we will see that money when/if we go to sell.. Frankly I think the house would have sat here for long time...there are houses in the neighborhood that have been on the market for over a year and not sold... There are reasons why this house was a better buy than the others but the appraisal was pretty spot on since most homes up for sale are trying to hold to the higher price per sq ft and people are not buying...