You can install power point and most non game program on most any computer . If you're daughter has a competitive hyperactive game player personality she wants the fastest processor and fastest graphic card you can afford. And new games that come out next year will want the latest and greatest and faster graphic cards.

10yrs old,,, I'd just buy a price point the use the optional graphic card. In three or four years she'll outgrow it, newer games won't run on it, and she'll want better gear. Then you can spend the big bucks.

I'm partial to 14 inch Toshiba Satelite laptops. Keyboard size is just right!
6 pounders max. 6 pounds of laptop is really too heavy to carry around much. Lighter is better but cost more and screen size shrinks with weight reduction too. Optional screens and Lots of memory are nice too.

I've had good luck with Toshiba and Dell; not as good luck with Compaq and HP. What's your budget? There are some good deals going on at Dell. For example, you can get a really nice Inspiron 1521 with a great screen and all the capabilities you need (without getting a bunch of extras that won't do a lot for your needs) for a little over $700. I just bought one of these as a second computer and I'm quite happy with it. I also suspect that there will be some good deals in the electronics stores as they have sales this month and early September to attract parents who are shopping for their children for school. Look particularly at what Toshiba has to offer; they usually offer good value for the money, and, in my experience, are very reliable. They also tend to offer some nice rebates.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell Inspiron 1521

Thanks a lot for your replies; they are very helpful.

As for my budget, I went into this thinking a computer would cost about 2 grand (again, clueles) so I've been surprised at how low the prices really are. That aside, I'm frugal and I don't want to spend money on things I'll never use or need.

Of course, I'm completely confused about Vista vs XP. People talk about vista not working w/ current software, but I don't think I have any current software. By this I mean games (other than our nonworking Sims 2 game) and other things bought to put on my computer?

I'd never buy a new model car on its first year, so the thought of buying buggy vista doesn't sit well w/ me.

I'll check out the Toshiba laptop.

The dell guy I spoke to recommended the Inspiron 531 w/ 2 GB memory, 320 GB hard drive (is this huge?), 2 cd drives (said my daughter would use?), 128 graphic card (enough?), and Microsoft Office, Home and Student. Plus 19 inch screen, keyboard, mouse and speakers. He also said the Mcafee I have for free through comcast is bare bones and I should get the 3 year McAfee through Dell for $100. Hmmm.... that sounds suspect, no? The above is $1257. minus $150 rebate = $1107.

Any thoughts?

Thanks so much.

Why did the sales rep figure 2 CD drives were necessary? I suspect/hope he meant DVD drives but still wonder at the reason for 2 of them. If you have surfed virus free with the current McAfee then why not continue? Those with something to sell will not promote things that come free.

At this late stage it would seem foolish to buy XP, it is yesterday's technology. Vista may not be perfect but if you read enough reports it is the best operating system so far. Plus there will be updates and hot fixes as vulnerabilities are discovered. It seems the problem is that many users cannot find things where they were on their old XP but I expect in a few days all new users will feel more at home with Vista.

And no, at the moment I do not have Vista but am seriously considering it. My problem is being allowed to migrate to a new build at some future point.

I've have a Dell for 3 1/2 years, and am most pleased with it, and with the tech support. I've had some problems, but really think that most were 'operator' errors, and they helped me with them.

Just recently I had problems (they suspected the modem) after a storm. I bought an extended warranty, but it did not cover storm damage. After seeing they had never 'sent' me anything in 3 1/2 years, they just went ahead and sent a new modem...which got me fixed right up.

If/when I get a new one, it will be a Dell.

Sue

owbist,
2 drives (CD & DVD) make it much easier to copy a CD. You don't have to save data to a hard drive to create a copy.

Jennifer,

I would have been here sooner but I had to eat my way through the M&Ms.

My new system is 2 months old now and as anyone here who knows me I was dragged into the 21st centtury kicking and screaming. The old system, a HP 400mhz P2 WIN98 OE suited me for what I was doing. It was just the learning curve getting wider and wider.

I spent a lot of time researching purveyors and manufacturers. I finally decided on a dual core Vista HP a6040n DVD +/- RW 2 gigs ram with a 17" flat screen monitor for around $1100.00 at Best Buy. I dumped the included trial Norton and installed AVG. The system has everything I need and more. I'm not a gamer either and I have no regrets.

I was searching for a double drive system when I was advised that with the current software only one was necessary. No outward saving to the HD they told me. They were right. In actuality if you are copying a disk with Roxio 9 you 1: Insert the original in the drive, 2: Utilize the software, 3: When notified remove the original disk and replace it with a blank disk and 4: Click to finish. Nothing to it. Even I can do it.

I am not certain if your version of Word will work on Vista. However, I am now using Open Office (Word compatible) without any concern.

Whatever you get I am certain you will enjoy it greatly.

Good Luck!

Da

Thanks all!

I've been serving jury duty (and will continue to be for the next 2 days)so I haven't had time to do additional research, or compile your suggestions, but I feel like I now have a slightly better understanding of what's out there thanks to your help.

The university I attend suggested the recommended technology for computers and much of what they said was different from what the dell guy suggested and the Best Buy guy. Here are their recommendations:

3.4 Ghz
2.0 ram
80 GB hard drive - Dell said 320 - Best Buy guy said 640?
256 MB video card - Dell guy said 128 - BB said 128

Does the brand or type of video card matter, or just the MBs?

Thanks!

From what potential uses you share with us I don't see the need for a 3.4 Ghz processor, unless of course the future games you refer to are high demand. If they aren't, I think the size could be pared down to the low 2.0 range unless the cash savings is negligible.

DA

The last 3 computers my husband and I have bought were Dells, running WinXP, Home Edition, and now, my new one with XP Media Edition, and we have been very much satisfied with them. Almost no trouble, except that with the second one, the CD player stopped working early on, but Dell sent someone to replace it. Before the Dells, I had a Compaq. No comparison, though some of the troubles I had with the Compaq may have been due to an unstable Win98.

When we decide to buy another computer, we expect that that will be a Dell, too.