New Computer

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

Mods~
I figured this was the best forum for this question, but feel free to move if I am wrong.

I am in need of a new computer. Currently, I am stuck using my cell phone to access the net. I would like to find a relatively inexpensive laptop. I use the puter mainly for accessing the net and for word processing. I don't need a gaming computer or anything too fancy. I want to spend less than five hundred US dollars.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kiwi33]

I would be inclined to go for a "name" brand (HP, Compaq, Dell, Toshiba....) rather than a "home-made" one.

The minimum specs that I would look for are:

4 GB of RAM - RAM is cheap and that is a good way of "future-proofing"

About 300 GB HDD - from what you say you don't do a lot of storage-hungry work and external storage media (DVDs, USB sticks, external HDD...) are pretty cheap.

A single core processor running at around 2.5 MHz. Multi-core/faster processors are fine but they are really only *needed* for people who run "high-end" graphics applications.

Minimum 17 inch screen/monitor.

There is no need to pay for much software - eg, OpenOffice can do essentially all that MS Office can and there are a range of freeware antivirus applications which are as good as commercial products. My preference is to use non-MS applications for Net work - eg, Thunderbird or Eudora as an e-mail client and Firefox, Opera or Chrome as a Web browser.

I would be happy to talk with you by PM if you would like me to walk you through the detailed specs of machines that you are considering.

[guest42]

I had an Acer Aspire One for 3 years till it took a shit on me. It was $199 at Walmart, only thing it lacks is a CD drive, but if you're not playing games, and have a DVD Player, what do you really need one for?

[Stefani140]

I second the suggestion for looking at a company like dell. I got a dell computer about 2 years, they have literally dozens of options and I found something that did exactly what I wanted it to do for like $550...it started out at $450 but I added some customizations and that brought the price up. But most of the big companies will have very standard computer packages that are pretty cheap which you can then customize to be exactly what you want.

[herebedragons]

If you just want to browse the internet/use email that kind of thing have you considered a netbook? I have a little netbook that I use all the time and I love it. It was cheap (around $200) it's light weight, very portible and does everything I need just fine (admitably my needs are pretty simple, I don't play any games for example.)

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

If you just want to browse the internet/use email that kind of thing have you considered a netbook? I have a little netbook that I use all the time and I love it. It was cheap (around $200) it's light weight, very portible and does everything I need just fine (admitably my needs are pretty simple, I don't play any games for example.)

hbd~
I thought about a netbook-type computer, but I like to play online games (like Zuma and Gold Miner) and the screen on a netbook is tiny. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

[herebedragons]

Oh yeah, if you want to do any kind of game a net book is probably not your best bet.

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

I got a second hand computer. It is a lenovo ThinkPad. I tried to hook it up to my AT&T internet, but no dice. I know its running Windows XP, but thats about all i kniow.

HALP!!

[kiwi33]

XP should be fine.

What have you tried to do (and what error messages have you got) when you try to link it to your AT&T account?

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

I had the ethernet cord in the wriong port thingy. Internet works now.

Now my problem is that my Internet and BUS do not like each other. I get the message with Deb's email and the link to "Whats my IP?" when I try to connect. >( Looks like I'm stuck with my phone for BUSsing.

[kiwi33]

I have never had that problem and I have accessed BUS from at least 6 countries (so heaps of dynamic IP addresses) .

To find your IP address follow the instructions here; http://www.wirelessforums.org/how-tos/h ... 14744.html .

Try putting it in to the link that you get in the message.

If that doesn't work a "help" PM to admin ChaseThisLight might do the trick - she sorted some problems that I had with my staff permissions for me.

Alternatively, BUS member "guff" knows more computing than I do - a PM to him?

[ChaseThisLight]

Just poking in here, if you want to send me the IP address you can't get access with I can see what I can do.

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

Okay, 'nother puter-related question. I will be starting classes in ... a few weeks! eek! Anywho, I was thinking about getting a netbook specifically for taking notes in class. Any suggestions of something that will run a word-processing program and maybe a simple picture editor that won't cost too much? Like, around $200 USD. Thanks!

[kiwi33]

Maybe an ASUS Eee PC (see http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 520AATuRuo).

But, how quickly can you type?

If you are not that fast it might be better to go for the old-fashioned pen and paper stuff - that way you can jot down notes while listening to what your teachers say in your classes.

Then, after classes, you can review your notes, think about them and check out the Web for any helpful additions.

*Strongly* recommended from an educational point of view.

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

...it might be better to go for the old-fashioned pen and paper stuff - that way you can jot down notes while listening to what your teachers say in your classes.

...

*Strongly* recommended from an educational point of view.

Kiwi~
I type faster (and a lot more legibly) than I write. I seem to get some kind of "note-taking" block when I try to do things in printing/hand writing.

___________________________________
I dunno if I will actually *get* a new puter or not. I'm mostly just seeing whats out there.

[cayley2]

You might want to check first and make sure they allow laptops in the class room. I have been in class rooms where the prof would not allow a computer of any kind.

[amerylis]

You may want to consider a good dictaphone rather than a laptop because typing in lectures can be *really* annoying, typing may be better in workshop/grouo meetings than in lecture halls.

xx

[ChaseThisLight]

A very STRONG warning to anyone who records class lectures...make sure you have the express consent of your professor before you record their lectures. One guy I went to law school with taped lectures without consent and was nearly sued by his professors because the lectures are intellectual property owned by the professors and it is illegal to make a recording of them without consent. It also went in to privacy laws because they were tape recorded without their knowledge, which is also illegal.

[s0_vErY_sCaReD]

A very STRONG warning to anyone who records class lectures...make sure you have the express consent of your professor before you record their lectures. One guy I went to law school with taped lectures without consent and was nearly sued by his professors because the lectures are intellectual property owned by the professors and it is illegal to make a recording of them without consent. It also went in to privacy laws because they were tape recorded without their knowledge, which is also illegal.

Good to know.

I need to make an appt with the DSS (Disabled Student Services) to get permission to record lectures. So much to do!

[Jomomma]

Even if DSS gives you permission, you need to notify the professor as well. The professor may ask you to place the recorder in a particular place or some other specific instructions.