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?

My toshiba battery stays in full time even while on ac power which it is almost 24/7... only use battery power maybe an hour, three times per week. Battery, even though installed, does not receive any charge until it dips below 95%. Battery is located in a cooler area of the laptop so I don't think its getting any appreciable heat. Actually nothing gets appreciable heat excpt my right judo chopper ... that edge of the laptop is the only place I can feel any heat and only occasionally, so probably somthing is working hard when I feel it. Probably about every other month the laptop will run on the battery to discharge it down to around 10% charge level to exercise it, which I think the manual tells you to do - and then it only takes slightly more than 2 hrs to fully charge it. fwiw.. I used to get the daily local newspaper delivered,, I forget, not cheap. But maybe just throwing it out was the main Pia. I still read the same newspaper online, and dont have to worry about throwing the trees the pages are made of away. Nor paying for them. Plus I read lots of other news online. Research my neighors hypocrondiacisim and meds, as well as most everything I buy. I'm supposed to be on a sodium controlled diet, hospital gal told me to try to keep sodium intake around 2000mg per day - if I cheat, she said, with a sub or pizza I can always make up for it by eating nothing but ice cream the next day or two because its no to very low sodium ... How much sodium is in a domino's supreme pizza... wow, thats online - I eat a lot of ice cream. What's on tv,,, go to NASCAR.com, sPEEDTV.com, or yahoo tv guide. Wonder if walgreens has bowls, I keep breaking bowls.. hey thats online... 2 for $1.50 (they used to be 50¢ ea.) I hate shopping store to store, much easier to look online first. That's how I bought my laptop, my tv, search at Staples, OfficeDepot, BestBuy, CircuitCity,, and search online to see if any significant price at an etailer difference. If you can edit video on your desktop, you really dont need anything fancy in a laptop to surf the net or read pdf' files, or do light graphics. I have an old desktop with a decent video card and can edit or do anything on that computer. While its really nice to have a fast everything in a lsptop,,, I really dont need fast video/fast processing on my laptop,, I'm cheap, but that still is a waste of money to me... those type of programs that really need fast video processing or lots of processor power I can still run on any laptop remotely from the desktop,, and it may be a little sluggish - If it is I need to feel fast I can always take over and run the complete desktop remotely with the laptop. Not a big deal here, except I have to go power on the desktop, cause I'm cheap and dont want to leave it running full time and pay its power bill of 130watts x 24hrs when its doing nothing but sitting idle on standby.

Thank you, Genes. This Acer did look like a lot for the money, but when I googled it and looked at customer reviews on various sites, they were pretty mixed. A number of people felt these broke down too early - and slowed down too early. So I looked around some more. I think at this point that it's between Toshiba and Lenovo Thinkpad. This process would be easier if I knew entirely how I'd be using it. I know I'll do lots of surfing, some emailing, probably recording some digital media and maybe very limited word processing with open office software. I know I want XP. I know I want reasonable speeds (it drives me crazy when I have just a few minutes and can't get pages to load and change quickly). I am definitely not a gamer and don't plan to watch movies on it. Here are some remaining questions: - why should I shy away from integrated video? most of the preconfigured well-priced XP laptops I've found seem to have integrated video. - I know I hate weights of 6 pounds and more. But I am torn about how small to go. Right now I'm not taking this back and forth to work - and I'm not likely to if it weighs even 5 pounds. Do I go with a small portable 12-13.3" laptop that weighs under 4 pounds? Might be fun to be willing to bring it more places with me. Other than higher price, what am I sacrificing to go that small. Anyone have laptops this small that they find really comfortable and easy to use - a pleasure to have and be able to tote around? The Toshiba that Raven linked earlier is not currently available, but I found a very similar one - linked below: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=105&ref=bizrate&utm_source=Bizrate&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=TBL300EZ1004X&sku=TBL300EZ1004X And here's a Lenovo Thinkpad on ebay - for about $150-200 less than selling elsewhere (note the seller will upgrade memory to 2GB for free - which means he will open the new-in-package laptop just for that purpose). This is not refurbished. When I tinkered with Lenovo's website to customize one, even with their current sales, I couldn't do nearly this well. What do folks think of this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-IBM-Lenovo-ThinkPad-T61-Laptop-C2D-2-0G-XP-64655ZU_W0QQitemZ250281364243QQihZ015QQcategoryZ177QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247 And beginning to customize a small Lenovo on their website, I came up with this: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/config.workflow:java-configure?x=x&sb=%3A00000025%3A00000169%3A I didn't finish customizing it - and there might be some changes I should consider (I didn't even think about service plans yet), but so far this is $1300 range. My business has picked up this summer, so maybe I could treat myself to this - but would still love opinions about how to specificially configure this. And in general if I should seriously consider going smaller. I did not yet look on ebay for the smaller thinkpads. And I haven't yet researched the smaller Toshiba's. Before I do that, I thought I'd wait to get some more guidance. Thanks so much. Lynn.

No luck... * Tried installing DELL's update driver, for my computer, from their site. * Had their support-system scan my computer, but nothing found. * I'm out of warranty...I wonder if this is part of it? * Can't find anything with answers on their Dell communities forums. * Tried FOUR times to install their Touchpad update, but it "Fails" every time. * They have a "Log" I can read of the failure, but it's Greek to me! * I can't open "Device-Manager" either, & I'm logged-on as full-permission Administrator!!!! Arrrggh! * Copy of the log: Probably shows my multiple Install attempts!!! Thanks for ANY help!!!!!! [02/22/15 17:28:29] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 17:28:29] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Downloads\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 17:28:30] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 17:28:30] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 17:28:30] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 17:28:32] logo.png [02/22/15 17:28:37] User Command: attended [02/22/15 17:28:37] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 17:28:37] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 17:28:37] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:28:37] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 17:28:37] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:28:37] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 17:28:37] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:28:38] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:28:38] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP44.tmp [02/22/15 17:28:38] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP44.tmp" [02/22/15 17:28:38] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 17:28:38] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:28:52] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP44.tmp [02/22/15 17:28:52] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:28:52] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:28:52] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 17:28:52] logo.png [02/22/15 17:28:52] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:28:52] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:28:52] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:28:52] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 17:28:52] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 17:28:57] Open file: C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdatePackage\Log\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.txt [02/22/15 17:29:12] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:29:12] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:29:12] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:29:12] Execution terminated at date-time 02/22/15 17:29:12 [02/22/15 17:29:12] ###### ਍਍[02/22/15 17:29:22] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 17:29:22] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Downloads\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 17:29:22] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 17:29:22] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 17:29:22] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 17:29:22] logo.png [02/22/15 17:29:24] User Command: attended [02/22/15 17:29:24] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 17:29:24] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 17:29:24] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:29:24] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 17:29:24] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:29:24] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 17:29:24] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:29:26] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:29:26] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPB8AA.tmp [02/22/15 17:29:26] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPB8AA.tmp" [02/22/15 17:29:26] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 17:29:26] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:29:44] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPB8AA.tmp [02/22/15 17:29:44] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:29:44] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:29:44] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 17:29:44] logo.png [02/22/15 17:29:44] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:29:44] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:29:44] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:29:44] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 17:29:44] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 17:29:47] Open file: C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdatePackage\Log\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.txt [02/22/15 17:30:18] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:30:18] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:30:18] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:30:18] Execution terminated at date-time 02/22/15 17:30:18 [02/22/15 17:30:18] ###### ਍਍[02/22/15 17:31:01] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 17:31:01] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Downloads\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 17:31:01] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 17:31:01] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 17:31:01] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 17:31:01] logo.png [02/22/15 17:31:05] logo.png [02/22/15 17:31:45] logo.png [02/22/15 17:31:50] User Command: attended [02/22/15 17:31:50] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 17:31:50] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 17:31:50] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:31:50] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 17:31:50] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:31:50] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 17:31:50] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 17:31:51] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:31:51] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF27F.tmp [02/22/15 17:31:51] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF27F.tmp" [02/22/15 17:31:51] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 17:31:51] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 17:32:10] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF27F.tmp [02/22/15 17:32:10] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:32:10] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 17:32:10] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 17:32:10] logo.png [02/22/15 17:32:11] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:32:11] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:32:11] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:32:11] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 17:32:11] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 17:32:28] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 17:32:28] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 17:32:28] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 17:32:28] Execution terminated at date-time 02/22/15 17:32:28 [02/22/15 17:32:28] ###### ਍਍[02/22/15 18:39:44] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 18:39:44] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Desktop\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 18:39:44] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 18:39:44] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 18:39:44] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 18:39:49] logo.png [02/22/15 18:39:53] User Command: attended [02/22/15 18:39:53] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 18:39:53] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 18:39:53] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:39:53] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 18:39:53] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:39:53] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 18:39:53] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:39:55] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 18:39:55] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP6F07.tmp [02/22/15 18:39:55] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP6F07.tmp" [02/22/15 18:39:55] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 18:39:55] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 18:40:20] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUP6F07.tmp [02/22/15 18:40:20] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 18:40:20] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 18:40:20] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 18:40:20] logo.png [02/22/15 18:40:20] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 18:40:20] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 18:40:20] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 18:40:20] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 18:40:20] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 18:40:26] Open file: C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdatePackage\Log\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.txt [02/22/15 18:41:13] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 18:41:13] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 18:41:13] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 18:41:14] Execution terminated at date-time 02/22/15 18:41:14 [02/22/15 18:41:14] ###### ਍਍[02/22/15 18:48:36] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 18:48:36] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Desktop\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 18:48:36] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 18:48:36] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 18:48:36] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 18:48:37] logo.png [02/22/15 18:48:44] User Command: attended [02/22/15 18:48:44] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 18:48:44] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 18:48:44] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:48:44] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 18:48:44] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:48:44] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 18:48:44] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 18:48:46] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 18:48:46] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPABD8.tmp [02/22/15 18:48:46] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPABD8.tmp" [02/22/15 18:48:46] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 18:48:46] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 18:49:16] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPABD8.tmp [02/22/15 18:49:16] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 18:49:16] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 18:49:16] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 18:49:16] logo.png [02/22/15 18:49:16] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 18:49:16] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 18:49:16] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 18:49:16] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 18:49:16] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 18:49:19] Open file: C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdatePackage\Log\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.txt [02/22/15 18:51:07] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 18:51:07] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 18:51:07] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 18:51:07] Execution terminated at date-time 02/22/15 18:51:07 [02/22/15 18:51:07] ###### ਍਍[02/22/15 21:08:13] Update Package Execution Started [02/22/15 21:08:13] Original command line: "C:\Users\Jerstad\Desktop\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.EXE" [02/22/15 21:08:13] DUP Framework EXE Version: 3.0.93.1 [02/22/15 21:08:13] DUP Release: FGG85X02-00 [02/22/15 21:08:13] Intializing framework... [02/22/15 21:08:17] logo.png [02/22/15 21:08:30] User Command: attended [02/22/15 21:08:30] DUP Capabilities Value: 41943039 (0x27FFFFF) [02/22/15 21:08:30] DUP Vendor Software Version: 8.1200.101.214 [02/22/15 21:08:30] Local System/Model Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 21:08:30] Local System OS Version: 6.1.1.0 [02/22/15 21:08:30] OS Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 21:08:30] Local System OS Language: EN [02/22/15 21:08:30] Language Compatible with this Package? Yes [02/22/15 21:08:32] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 21:08:32] Temporary payload log file name: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF259.tmp [02/22/15 21:08:32] Translated Command Line : setup.exe /v"LOGFILE=C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF259.tmp" [02/22/15 21:08:32] Path : C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02 [02/22/15 21:08:32] Identified Behavior : attended [02/22/15 21:08:54] Append Vendor Software Log: C:\ProgramData\dell\drivers\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02\DUPF259.tmp [02/22/15 21:08:54] --- Start of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 21:08:54] --- End of Vendor Software Log --- [02/22/15 21:08:54] Vendor Software Return Code: 3221225477 [02/22/15 21:08:55] logo.png [02/22/15 21:08:55] (MUPXMLParser::GetResultName): *** Vendor Return Code is not found in Mup.xml [02/22/15 21:08:55] Name of Exit Code: [02/22/15 21:08:55] (DupAPI::GetReturnCode): *** Unable to find DUP value for: [02/22/15 21:08:55] Exit Code set to: 1 (0x1) [02/22/15 21:08:55] Result: FAILURE [02/22/15 21:08:59] Open file: C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdatePackage\Log\Input_Driver_FGG85_WN_8.1200.101.214_A02.txt >>>>> It says it's compatible with my Windows 7 too! Faron