I was in this thread looking for something on HP, didn't find it here or in a search. For those in the know on HP an easy one. Is the Pavillion model consistent in the general quality of the case and keyboard - a shared quality? I ask because I like the one below but can't find it locally... I can find Pavillion at my Discount Store (BJs - where my last 3 laptops were purchased) and so I can to a "look-see" at other versions of the Pavillion. Something else that bothers me is the physical size (it is a 17.3" and will be used to move from room-to-room, not for travel) Item Dimensions L x W x H 3.10 x 22 x 13.60 inches Forget the confusion of the listed LWH... the 3.1 must be how thick it is, can it be that thick? A compact desk top computer box may be no more than 5" thick. My current Toshiba and most others I see in the store are just over 1" thick, maybe 1.5" but nothing near 3". The specific machine I'm targeting is: HP Pavilion G7-2220us 17.3-Inch Laptop Sorry for any typos, basically is the Pavilion an HP line with similar physical look/touch? And what about the thickness?

The point I was trying to make was not that my own personal computers have all needed a lot of repairs. Although this last laptop certainly has, but that in general, a computer compared to a microwave oven let's say, is more likely to need service over five years of it's lifetime than the microwave. In other words, an extended warranty on a computer may be more useful than on other appliances. Tech support can be a very individual thing. Some people are very computer savvy, or they have a friend or family member who is. I have never had any close friends to help me work out an issue. When I first started on computers, I was having to call all the time to ask questions about how to do everything. Now they no longer cover you for software issues anyway. But you can't always rely on people in forums to help you work out a problem that is over your head, so for me, at least, tech support gives me peace of mind that I am not going to get stuck. As for breakage, yes, I did think of the fact that I use my computer at home most of the time, but it really isn't that much more to add that to the coverage. I don't use it at a desk though and am always carrying it and picking it up and putting it down, and really, you never if over the life of a machine your needs will change and you will want to be taking it out a lot. No, I don't abuse my computer, if anything I am too vigilant about being careful with it. Have never spilled anything even once on the keyboard in thirteen years. Or dropped a computer, etc. What has had to be replaced on my laptop were unprovoked hardware issues. adam

Thanks for all the suggestions - I tried looking at the "Filter MAC Addresses" and not sure I am understanding - but I went to the web address for the router and found the place where you can select the option for "Only Allow Computers with MAC Address Listed Below to Connect" but that option was not selected and no addresses listed. So I didn't feel comfortable setting it up as opposed to adding another address if there'd already been some listed there. I did follow the instructions for finding the address on the laptop but the number looked a bit strange - just a bunch of zero's with an alpha character at the end which made me think maybe I hadn't found the actual address and of course that made me hesitant about adding to the router for fear I might foul up the 2 computers that are working correctly. I did try the 'flush' and powered everything back up in the sequence you gave me but same thing, and then had to do it again in order to get the 2 original computers back online. So now, I am debating the uninstall of the Lenovo ReadyConn - I may try that when I get the courage. OR I've been thinking that I might just be better off buying a new router. The one I have is 3 years old - if it's old for a router, then maybe that is my best bet and hope a new one will fix my issues. I can't thank you enough for all the help you've given. I'll keep working with this and trying and re-trying as I have time over the next few days. If/when I get this resolved I'll let you know what I've come up with. Thanks again for taking the time and making the effort to help - it is a great comfort to those of us that so desperately need it. Frances

you do not want a tablet for that type of use. Stick with a laptop, for travel of course the 14-15 inch will be lighter weight, check the weights on any of them because they can vary greatly. I have only got warranties from the manufacturer. Once you have one you will want to declutter it, using the pc decrapifier is a good tool to help you with that. I never activate the "free" antivirus on them either I immediately fully remove it and install either AVAST free or Microsoft Security Essentials free. We can help you with all of that when you get it just come on back and ask. Here are a couple of links you can save. PC Decrapifier. Using AppRemover to remove the AV that is on it. a good place to get the things you need free with out any extras added on. Here is a link that might be useful: ninite