LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 8, 2003 06:53:28 PM new
I am taking a 10 day vacation but it is really just back home to Texas to visit relatives. It is the first one in years. In order to keep up with my auctions, questions, etc I am going to purchase a new computer.
I have never owned a laptop, but did play with one at the store. It seems difficult to work with, I hate the built in mouse, and the keyboard was not easy for me to type on since I am used to the full size one.
I had decided to buy a laptop for ease and portablity. But, they are soooo expensive and I am afraid I will just stash it in the closet unless I am traveling so it doesn't seem very cost effective.
I found a great deal on a full size compaq with flat screen for only $849 after rebates.
I could use the package this full size one comes in, and since I will be visiting relatives in three states I could easily take it in at each one. With the flatscreen monitor it isn't even that large or heavy. I know I would rather have a backup "real" computer when I get back home.
But, I decided to come home and think about it, and then ask some of you who may have laptops if you ever get used to them or if you use them as your main computer. I know full size ones aren't meant to be portable but we could easily transport it.
Unfortunately, my relatives are elderly and do not have computers.
HELP!
Edited to add: I have to take something with me because we also have an insurance inspection business and I have to be in touch with our customers while we are away. 
[ edited by LINDAJEAN on Jun 8, 2003 06:54 PM ]
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Libra63
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posted on June 8, 2003 06:59:14 PM new
Now I hope your ISP is AOL because if it is a local one that will be difficult. Why not just stop your auctions for the time your gone or if you have a hotmail or yahoo email you can axcess that at a local library and then you can answer your emails and check your auctions at the same time.
Sounds expensive to buy another computer. I do like my compaq and it is still running good and it will be going on the 5th year.
Did you try Dell on line? They had some good deals last month.
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LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:08:36 PM new
I have cable modem, but keep AOL as backup. Due to the insurance business we have to always be available to potential clients. We work for 5 companies from Phoenix, California, Connecticut, North Carolina and Virginia.
Since I have to have constant access anyway, I decided to release auctions while I was gone so I could make some money since we won't be doing any of the insurance inspections for a week.
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chathamsue
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:10:13 PM new
I got a phenomenal deal on a refurished Gateway a few months ago. After doing some research this was by far the best deal there is. Many of their computers & laptops are new & unopened, but have been sold & returned...so cannot be resold as new. If you are interested I can tell you how to get more info on doing this.
Another possibility is to go to the library while you are traveling & use the computer there. We have 2nd home in a vacation town. The library has a large room full of computers & a sign up sheet for 1/2 hour time slots. The room is always full of people.
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lindajean
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:15:15 PM new
Please do send the info on the Gateway. Can I get it in 3 weeks?
My email is [email protected]
Thanks!
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davebraun
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:16:58 PM new
Unless you are running some graphics intensive programs a laptop should fill the bill. I also hate the built in mouse (touchpad) or whatever so use an optical mouse. You might look at Winbook for comparibles w/15" TFT screen price should be under the 895- you mention for the Compaq.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:17:59 PM new
LindaJean: I have two laptops and three desktop computers. I use all of them every day.
There are many different laptop designs and I feel confident you can find one you'll feel comfortable with if you decide to go that route. Many will allow you to connect an external mouse so you don't have to use the built-in one.
I take both laptops with me when traveling just to have a backup if needed.
The only advantage I see to the desktop computers is that mine happen to have larger screens *and* they have numerical keypads...which is handy if you touch-type 10-digit auction numbers. It's a little painful to hunt and peck numbers in the row above QWERTY.
Here's one more consideration in favor of a laptop, though: If you use one at home, you will never need a UPS for it. We have multiple power outages every year and I never have to worry about the laptops going down; they're good on battery power for four hours or more. (You might want to get a UPS for your cable modem/DSL router/firewall, however.)
Many businesspeople now use laptops as their "main" computer...they are that powerful and that easy to use, as well as versatile.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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sanmar
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:26:10 PM new
I bought a refurbished Gateway on Ubid.com for less than $800.00 last yr. It is faster than my PC & has a ton of memory & a 20 gig HD. It takes some getting used to, but it was worth it. My Best Friend & I flew to AZ for Xmas & I had a ton of auctions that I put on just before we left. It only weighs 5 lbs & I went to Staples & got a really neat traveling case for it. I have used it several times on trips before & since then.
I even took pics with my digital camera of Clare's relatives & could download them from the camera so everone could see them. I really think you could get used to using it .
It will save uou all of the hassle ofputting the PC together & then tearing it down. All you have to do is plug it in & attach a phone line to it. Get a phone line & a 2 to 1 adapter so you can plug it in a jack & have the phone available too.
[ edited by sanmar on Jun 8, 2003 07:30 PM ]
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neonmania
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:43:37 PM new
I loved my laptop right up to the day I loaned it to my former roomate for his trip to Mexico City and never saw it again (he left it "somewhere". The keyboards do take some getting used to but it is possible, as for the mouse - get an optical or even as USB or you really will lose your mind. I seem to remember one of the laptop makers got smart last year and made the keyboard detachable but damn if I can remember who. I would reccommend a laptop if you don't already have one as you'll be surprised how many new uses you come up for it other than sitting in the closet waiting for your current desktop model to die.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:45:09 PM new
Typically the screen is not replaced on a refurb laptop. Whether or not this will be a problem for you depends on you, I guess. Laptops are frequently returned for "dead pixels"...one or more tiny dots on the screen that do not light up when they're supposed to.
Compaq tried to tell a friend of mine that dead pixels are normal and that they wouldn't accept a return; he bought from Costco and kept returning the machine until he got one that didn't have any.
If the dead pixel(s) are near a screen edge, usually it's not noticeable, but if they're in the middle or in a cluster it is distracting.
Demonstrator laptops are also refurbished and sold to the general public. This can mean that certain areas of the screen (usually the uppper left-hand quadrant) are washed out from use, giving the screen an uneven appearance.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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lindajean
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:47:45 PM new
Thanks neonmania and everyone else.
I really had decided on the laptop until I went shopping today and found the neat Compaq full size.
I think I will stick to my original plan and go that way. I was just looking at the cost of everything else I will need to go with it. The car plug, the mouse, the carrying case, etc and I kinda panicked so decided to ask others with more experience than me.
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lindajean
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:49:30 PM new
Fluffy: I didn't even think to look for anything like that. I'll be careful when I open it. Did your friend buy a new one at Costco and have these dead areas?
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neglus
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posted on June 8, 2003 07:58:17 PM new
I saw a CHEAP CHEAP laptop on eBay..not the newest technology but SOUNDS like it would work for your purposes..heck if you can pick it up for a song you can buy BOTH the laptop and the desktop! I plug another mouse in the USB port when I use my laptop.
Sony PCG-F480 Laptop
Item # 3418408974 currently at $1.00
Seller is none other than vendio-ars..not sure what the reserve is..but what the heck..you know where to find the seller if there are any problems!
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lindajean
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posted on June 8, 2003 08:04:20 PM new
Thanks Neglus. I placed a $100 bid but it didn't meet the reserve (of course). I am just so cautious about computers on Ebay. It seems to be where every major scam takes place. You are right though, at least I know where to find the seller in this case 
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neglus
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posted on June 8, 2003 08:08:06 PM new
I bought a perfectly usable THinkPad laptop on eBay from an unknown seller with good feedback for about $200..i don't use it a lot but it does the job..not the newest technology but works well enough to do the kinds of things i need to do on the road..just a thought anyway
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eagleinc
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posted on June 8, 2003 08:30:09 PM new
Have some experience having sold millions of dollars worth of computers over the years to business and occasionally individuals.
1. When pricing, disregard rebates. If you get them, great, but most people never follow up or there's some loophole that'll screw you up
2. Since you have AOL I guess stick with it but I'd have said Earthlink given the choice. Very reliable, much less popups
3. Check out Dell, HP, Compaq and IBM factory outlet/factory refurbished prices direct from OEM. Buy with 1 year OEM warranty. If price is cheap enough, $49 to $125 upgrade warranty to 2 or 3 years BUT ONLY DIRECT WITH MANUFACTURER.
4. When dealing with factory sales rep, see if they can throw in something for free. Can't hurt to ask.
5. Personally I would not buy a Gateway or Winbook. Not to insult someone that does but if you need service on a Winbook, it goes back to Winbook. If you need to buy something for it later such as system board, it's much harder to find. Many more dealers in Compaq or IBM etc.
6. BACK UP YOUR HARD DISK REGULARLY. Things happen........
7. A CDRW in the notebook is nice to have. Don't worry if it does not have a diskette drive.
8. You don't need top, top, top of the line to check emails. Buy the chip that just got replaced in the food chain and save $'s
9. Some dead pixels are normal. From a dealer's viewpoint if you return it, the manufacturer's won't take them back solely for dead pixels. From a users viewpoint, I can understand why you don't want them. Tough on the dealers. BUT understand if you sell the cheapest possible laptop you build with the cheapest components and labor. Something has got to give somewhere.
10. Eventually you will get used to little joystick or touchpad. Never thought I would. Got used to both quickly
Best of luck with your decision.
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LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 8, 2003 08:41:43 PM new
eagleinc:
Thanks for the tips. I was afraid those rebates wouldn't really happen!
I actually have AOL because they allow the multiple users on the account. My daughter in Reno and my daughter here both use my account since I am rarely on-line. I will have to warn them to stay off the week I am gone
As far as pop-ups, the new AOL 8 has a pop up stopper and so far it has even stopped the AOL popups that used to drive me nuts when I signed off...the one's asking me if I wanted to open my own account...yea, right, for 30 minutes use every month!
Edited to add: I also plan on using the computer to scan in tons of photo's. My Aunts are in their 80's and I want to get some of the old family pics on disc while I have the chance. So, I wanted it to have enough power to hook up the scanner and do a decent job at scanning in the images at very high resolution.
Between Ebay, our other business, and the personal use I will be working it overtime for these 10 days. But, I was afraid once I came home it would just be sitting there. And, that is a pretty expensive item for only 1 weeks use. I knew others here probably had both so I had hoped to get your opinions. They are all much appreciated!
[ edited by LINDAJEAN on Jun 8, 2003 08:46 PM ]
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 8, 2003 10:01:41 PM new
Did your friend buy a new one at Costco and have these dead areas?
He finally got one without dead pixels on the fourth try.
--
California voters: Be a part of the first-ever successful gubernatorial recall! Defy media pundits! $21 million of our money is going down the tubes daily because of our incompetent corrupt governor. Visit http://www.recallgraydavis.com to download your recall petition.
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ahc3
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posted on June 8, 2003 10:08:30 PM new
Not sure why people don't follow through on the rebates but they don't! I got a new Dell this past winter, and it had a $100 rebate. How could I throw away $100?
For a laptop computer, you should also consider a slightly older model. If you are pretty much going to use it to check email and not much else, you might want to consider a 300 meg system, something that came out 3-4 years ago. Or, you can go even cheaper. I picked up a 100 meg Windows 95 laptop computer, complete with floppy drive and modem for $50 at a garage sale. It works fine, and can be used for email if I need to. My wife mostly uses it for word processing and spreadsheet stuff when she wants to work sitting on the couch.
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auctionace
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posted on June 8, 2003 10:58:50 PM new
The last 3 rebates from Fry's Electronics never arrived and I vowed to never buy another item at that stores that promised a rebate. I saw a guy at the post office getting a certified letter for his rebate form letter so he must have found a way to guarantee his rebate.
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LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 8, 2003 11:54:04 PM new
ahc3:
No, I will use it to scan in old family photo's while I am gone, to scan in Postcards to list on Ebay while I am gone, and for email.
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LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 9, 2003 12:07:45 AM new
Do you know or does anyone else know if one of the older models can handle a scanner? I know it would need a USB port.
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neonmania
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posted on June 9, 2003 12:18:27 AM new
Depends on the system requirements of you scanner and the software you are using.
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Twelvepole
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posted on June 9, 2003 06:53:03 AM new
Laptop for travel, definately....
As far as ISP for travel, try Netzero/Juno free for some small amount of time per month and only $9.95/mo for unlimited... if you travel alot and have email service on yahoo or the like.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
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vidpro2
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posted on June 9, 2003 07:17:20 AM new
Another vote here in favor of a laptop.
Another consideration is that you can inexpensively use a cell phone for your internet connection when you travel. We already had the cell phone, spent $49 for the adapter, and our existing $35/month cell phone plan includes 300 peak minutes and unlimited off-peak (between 9pm and 6am) and weekends - and works anywhere in the US where there is service.
I recently went to a show and kept my laptop connected to the Internet for over 20 hours on a weekend at no extra charge above my regular service fees. And the connection was surprisingly tolerable. BTW, the Internet service was part of the $35/month plan.
[ edited by vidpro2 on Jun 9, 2003 07:21 AM ]
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jrome
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posted on June 9, 2003 09:45:20 PM new
Get the laptop!
First, it is much more flexible. A desktop only works if you have power available, and requires an external monitor. A laptop can work without power, and you can always plug in an external monitor at a base station if you want. The laptop is easier to trasnport. You can always bring a small mouse with you. These things are cheap.
Dell has some pretty great deals regularly on laptops, often at around $800 for a basic model with a 14" screen (equivalent to a 15" CRT). Only downside is a slower hard drive, really. Plus, you can add a wireless network to your home, and get internet access from any room in the house.
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sanmar
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posted on June 10, 2003 12:14:37 AM new
irome has a point that I hadn't considered, i.e. the battery pack backup. Why would anyone want to lug a PC around when you can do it all on a laptop? Linda jean give this some more thought. Think about the hassle of setting up & taking down every time you move. This can ce a real hassle, & where are you going to set all of this up, on the dining room table??
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sanmar
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posted on June 10, 2003 12:14:40 AM new
irome has a point that I hadn't considered, i.e. the battery pack backup. Why would anyone want to lug a PC around when you can do it all on a laptop? Linda jean give this some more thought. Think about the hassle of setting up & taking down every time you move. This can ce a real hassle, & where are you going to set all of this up, on the dining room table??
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LINDAJEAN
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posted on June 10, 2003 12:52:33 AM new
It only takes me a sec to hook up a computer. And the screen is so light and small it really wouldn't be a hassle.
The only reason I would even consider it is the fact I will not be traveling again anytime soon and I would really like the excuse to buy a second dependable computer I would use every day.
I probably will go with the laptop, but I hate to spend the bucks when I really really don't think I will use it daily. And, I rarely leave Vegas.
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buffalowoman
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posted on June 27, 2003 05:37:09 PM new
You can get good laptops on eBay in the $300 price range. That way you could always get a full size one latter.
Check for ones like Dell that still have the original warrenty. i just got one for $301.00 it has a 10 gig hard drive and is a pIII.
I picked one up for my husband for around the same price-both are Dells (we R.V. a lot) We also have full size computers at home.
Here is another thought-you know you can hook up a regular mouse and keyboard to your laptop.
Dell's refurbished site has good deals also. The only reason I am pushing Dells is because they transfer the warrenty. I had my $300 laptop a year when one of the keys broke on the keyboard-they came to the house the day after I called and replaced the entire keyboard-at no cost! This was a machine I bought used on eBay!
J. C.
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