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Help me select a laptop - want to go wireless

16 years ago

I'm beyond ignorant about what goes on inside a computer, so I don't know where to begin when it comes to selecting a laptop. I want it for the basic MS programs, internet surfing and I eventually want to learn how to download photos. And of course I want FAST! And I want to convert our home to wireless.

Can you give me some recommendations for reliable brands? Asking too much to recommend specific models? (I really feel like a fish out of water on this subject!) I'd like to take the laptop anywhere in the house, 1st and 2nd floors, patio, etc. Do I have to select a model specifically for wireless access?

My husband would like a 17" screen. Will that jack up the price? I'd really like to keep my costs under $600 ($700 max) - is that reasonable?

Lastly, what do I do with all the existing cable outlets around the house?

Any help will be most sincerely appreciated!

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Comment (1)

mikie_gw
16 years ago
I just bought a Toshiba L45 bottom line laptop for $450 after $150 rebate. Luckily it has a Pentium Mobile Dual Core processor, dual layer dvd burner, wifi, 5400rpm hard drive, 1Gb memory, graphic card with 128 mem and can use system ram too, 15.4 inch true-bright display.

Sent 90 bucks to an etailer for 2gb of Kingston memory and a 4gb sandisk usb drive for Vista's readyBoost feature. Works nifty actually on 1GB, a 1gb flash drive does give it some added snappyness.

I have a wifi enaabled modem from my isp, which was free. And a second wifi access point out back because there's a dead spot where I sit out there.

Not much to it really. You dont need to send much if you watch for the sales... I prefer to stay away from the celery type mobile processor because they can get more hotter on your lap than most and dont think they have the power savings flexabilities.

I'm replacing a 4 plus yr old toshiba that I broke and will mickey mouse it back together one way or another and probably make it a part time server and back up computer so I can make my old desktop into something with a coolness old factor. It uses too much electricity so I cant run it full time.

I'm rambling... its way to cold and windy out there, 45Â°/8:30am .... which is like ..freezing to me.
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