Buying a laptop

[misskiya 0]

So I've been looking into getting a laptop for work for quite some time. I want somethign that will run our cataloging system (which requires like...nothing) and be able to possibly wirelessly connect to our modem and jump online around lunchtime. Also something that would be good for travel, specifically airplane travel and hotel stays.

Well, here's the thing. I'm not computer illiterate...it's far worse. I'm pretty much computer stupid. And I don't have the best credit in the world. I'd like to get someting on payments so I can BUILD some credit. My problem isn't bad credit, it's no credit.

So something simple, but useful, with small payments, that's going to be reliable.

Any advice from the computer geeks out there?

[Mirorgate 0]

So I've been looking into getting a laptop for work for quite some time. I want somethign that will run our cataloging system (which requires like...nothing) and be able to possibly wirelessly connect to our modem and jump online around lunchtime. Also something that would be good for travel, specifically airplane travel and hotel stays.

Well, here's the thing. I'm not computer illiterate...it's far worse. I'm pretty much computer stupid. And I don't have the best credit in the world. I'd like to get someting on payments so I can BUILD some credit. My problem isn't bad credit, it's no credit.

So something simple, but useful, with small payments, that's going to be reliable.

Any advice from the computer geeks out there?

yeah, get an older dell or hp. probably dont need anything over p4 with 1.2ghz, 40mg HD, 250ram, with pcmcia wireless card. if your modem at home/work is not wireless compatible.. dont bother with the pcmcia wireless.. extra cost that you dont need. i say buy used, cause if you dont need much.. why spend $1.5K or more for top end that you wont use?

also, do not "get one to make payments". seriously. might like it for credit purposes.. but by time you done paying on it.. you coulda bought 2 or 3 laptops.

goto dell or hp websites and check out their refurbished stuff.

[misskiya 0]

Well half the point of it is to make the payments because I NEED the credit. And I've had no luck with dell refurbished ANYTHING thus far. Is HP generally reliable?

[cajunasian 0]

Check out usedlaptops.com. This company buys alot of companies old laptops. When my company upgrade their laptops this company brought them. I brought Tracy one of this laptops after her computer died. It was a IBM Thinkpad T23, 2647-8U8 Pentium III 1,200 (1.2GHz), 512mb RAM, 40.0Gb Hard Drive, (2) USB Port, 56K Modem, Ethernet, No Floppy Drive, Internal DVD/CD-RW, Sound, A/C power adapter, 14.1" Active Matrix Display and the cost was $450 dollars. If you would to build credit, you can call like RENT A CENTER or Arron's but you will pay almost double what the computer is worth!!!

Edited June 19, 2006 by cajunasian

[Mirorgate 0]

Well half the point of it is to make the payments because I NEED the credit. And I've had no luck with dell refurbished ANYTHING thus far. Is HP generally reliable?

HP's a decent compy. i am using dell refurb though.. and no major issues so far.

"need" credit? honestly... for the price you'll pay on payments for compy.. better off getting a store card.. bout $300 and starting with that.

[gimygirl 0]

worst way ever to build credit, but you're obviously set on it ... so it seems that you need a laptop and don't have the money for one.

if you do have the money for one, i would give ebay a try. some times people need to get rid of theirs for whatever reason. i bought my compaq 3 yrs ago for $500 and haven't had one problem. my husband also has it networked.

good luck!

[misskiya 0]

Well half the point of it is to make the payments because I NEED the credit. And I've had no luck with dell refurbished ANYTHING thus far. Is HP generally reliable?

HP's a decent compy. i am using dell refurb though.. and no major issues so far.

"need" credit? honestly... for the price you'll pay on payments for compy.. better off getting a store card.. bout $300 and starting with that.

Wow that's a MUCH better idea for credit, thank you. I'll look into that, and a smaller laptop.

worst way ever to build credit, but you're obviously set on it ... so it seems that you need a laptop and don't have the money for one.

if you do have the money for one, i would give ebay a try. some times people need to get rid of theirs for whatever reason. i bought my compaq 3 yrs ago for $500 and haven't had one problem. my husband also has it networked.

good luck!

Yeah I do have the money for a laptop, it would be eaiser to make payments. But I generally steer clear of ebay.

[gimygirl 0]

Yeah I do have the money for a laptop, it would be eaiser to make payments. But I generally steer clear of ebay.

[misskiya 0]

Yeah I do have the money for a laptop, it would be eaiser to make payments. But I generally steer clear of ebay.

AHAHAHAHAHA omg that's great.

yes, yes that's what I'm terrified of.

[Fandango 1,440]

don't know if this has been said or not, and bear with me cos i'm no expert...but I think you'd need a wireless router to your modem before you can connect.

All the stores run so many promos, you can pick them up for peanuts.

[misskiya 0]

don't know if this has been said or not, and bear with me cos i'm no expert...but I think you'd need a wireless router to your modem before you can connect.

All the stores run so many promos, you can pick them up for peanuts.

Yeah, we have a few at work, I just need to get the connector from our computer guy, casey, to be able to use it there, and I'm looking at getting one for home, if I ever figure this thing out. lol.

PS- not to be off topic, but is everone else getting a new layout of the site in the last 10 minutes or so? rather than full pages, links to replies?

Edited June 19, 2006 by misskiya

[Fandango 1,440]

nope, still looks the same to me

[dalegg 143]

don't know if this has been said or not, and bear with me cos i'm no expert...but I think you'd need a wireless router to your modem before you can connect.

All the stores run so many promos, you can pick them up for peanuts.

Yeah, we have a few at work, I just need to get the connector from our computer guy, casey, to be able to use it there, and I'm looking at getting one for home, if I ever figure this thing out. lol.

PS- not to be off topic, but is everone else getting a new layout of the site in the last 10 minutes or so? rather than full pages, links to replies?

I believe you've accidentally changed your display mode to outline.

[misskiya 0]

don't know if this has been said or not, and bear with me cos i'm no expert...but I think you'd need a wireless router to your modem before you can connect.

All the stores run so many promos, you can pick them up for peanuts.

Yeah, we have a few at work, I just need to get the connector from our computer guy, casey, to be able to use it there, and I'm looking at getting one for home, if I ever figure this thing out. lol.

PS- not to be off topic, but is everone else getting a new layout of the site in the last 10 minutes or so? rather than full pages, links to replies?

I believe you've accidentally changed your display mode to outline.

How do I change it back? (see how much I know about technology? )

[dalegg 143]

don't know if this has been said or not, and bear with me cos i'm no expert...but I think you'd need a wireless router to your modem before you can connect.

All the stores run so many promos, you can pick them up for peanuts.

Yeah, we have a few at work, I just need to get the connector from our computer guy, casey, to be able to use it there, and I'm looking at getting one for home, if I ever figure this thing out. lol.

PS- not to be off topic, but is everone else getting a new layout of the site in the last 10 minutes or so? rather than full pages, links to replies?

I believe you've accidentally changed your display mode to outline.

How do I change it back? (see how much I know about technology? )

If you look at the very top right of this topic, you will see a drop-down that says "Options". Click on that and about half way down you'll see "Display Modes", click on "switch to standard" or "switch to Linear+"