Shopping for a laptop/ Questions!

“Background... Have Compaq computer circa Nov. 2000 (!!!) which operates fine, but seems to have some virus junk on it I can’t get rid of. Looking potentially at a laptop.

Would still have old computer with probably just Photoshop and photo storage on it. It has two hard drives on it, the add-on with no applications and solely photo storage.

Would be nice to network with new, although I do have portable hard drive and flash drives that I could use to move photos. I do photos for work while at home. (Nice to veg and keep an eye on TV at home while doing the fairly mindless work of formatting photos!)

I would use laptop for browsing on the web, writing (so I would likely be loading Word/Office software on)… I’d intend to do photos on old computer (don’t think software is compatible with Vista and sure can’t afford new photo software!)

Oh yeah, I have mapping software programs to load (or could keep on old computer) and do geocaching. Would be nice to have that stuff on new computer. (am a geek at what's involved in the high-tech geocaching software!)

Would be interested in laptop with wi-fi capabilities, but know nada about that.

1. Not on wireless now. What do I need to look into for wireless on a laptop? Do you need to have a regular cell phone account or high speed internet – What do you need to make it work??? I am right now on dial-up and have a Tracfone, so no major cell service. What’s needed?


2. Where do you pick up wi-fi?

3. What additionally priced add-ons are needed to do remote work wi-fi? Is there a difference between moving about the house and, on the other hand, having capability to pick up the service anywhere? Is there a specific card to be installed? And is a higher grade anti-virus/firewall needed? (and prices of these?)

4. Recommendation of processor size/speed?

5. Memory size?

6. What might be involved in networking old computer with laptop? Am I risking getting virus from old computer into laptop? I can use portable hard drive and/or flash drives to transfer photos, although something of a minor pain.

7. Do laptops have the needed slots to plug things in? Am asking cuz I know at geocaching events (LOL, yes, I am one of THOSE and if I’m getting wi-fi, am interested in being able to get geocache readings while on the road/ in the field) I’ve been at geocaching events where Garmin cables do not have the right hook-up for most laptops, as an example. I forget it they have a USB or serial port hook-up on the cable … and the other is needed to connect.

8. Recommendations? Of course, I want the biggest bang for my SMALL bucks!

THANKS!!!”

“ay reasonably new laptop will probably have wi-fi capability built in. If not there are plug in cards you can buy. Any reasonably modern laptop should be able to handle your writing programs. As far as the geocaching goes... ask around at the events and see what people are using, how they like it and all that just like doing gear assessments at hiking gatherings.

The transmission of a virus from one computer to another over a network is virtually assured depending on the kind of virus or trojan you are dealing with. It would pay to get the old machine cleaned up before you network anything to it. If the only way to do that is to nuke the hard drive then transfer all your straight data files to an external source, nuke the sucker and re-install. Then make sure all your machines are properly protected.”

“If there is a Staples near you, today is the last day to get Norton Internet Security 2008 with license for up to 3 computers - FREE after $40 mail-in rebate and $20 upgrade or new computer rebate. The sale has been going on for a week now so your local store may be sold out but you can order it over the interweb thingy.”

“Heads up: The new computer needs to be secured with anti-virus software before connecting it to your old machine with the virus.”

“1. You can access wireless with a DSL connection through a phone service or a cable connection through a local broadband provider. Or you can use a satellite service (such as Directv).

2. wifi, can be picked up at hot spots. Such as libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, universities and some cities.

3. Laptops now are wifi ready with internal parts. The only card you may need is if you sign up for a wireless service from a cellular service.

4. Always a trade off for other stuff you may want. The processor speed simply put is how fast the computer will be able to access and load information. So not a huge thing unless you are doing complicated multiple calculations.
last edited: 10/13/07 12:48:03 PM”

“5. Memory relates to speed of the computer but, I don't really understand about this one so ask your sales person. Most all this stuff will already be set and it is really a matter of $$.

6. ??

7. Now a lot come with card slots for your camera memory cards.

8. I am going to get a new one and I've had GREAT LUCK with Acer. I am looking at a Acer 5920 now. Don't know if I want to put out that amount of $$, but I may go down to a 5720.

Good Luck!”

“Dang Violin, why didn't you tell us that before the last day?!”

“This got me thinking over the weekend. We need to relocate our PC soon and I really don't want it in the living room or in the basement. We get a slight discount on Dell computers at work so I just built a model and I need advise. See below

PROCESSOR AMD Turionâ„¢ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-56 (1MB/1.8GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
HARD DRIVE Size: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
OPTICAL DRIVE CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/g Mini-Card

I did not paste all the options because I do not feel they are as important as the above. What I need to know is the following.

1. I have DSL at home currently. What do I need to do to hook up a laptop to the same service? Can I make it so I can be online in any room of the house without being plugged in?

2. While I have heard of the processer that comes with this computer, I have never owned one with it. Is this okay, os should I go for something else?

3. Do I have enough memory or upgrade to 2 GB?

If I have overlooked anything or if someone has better advise, please say something


I forgot to mention...this is a laptop
last edited: 10/15/07 11:34:31 AM”

“You would want to set up a wireless network to use the laptop on the same service. That is either fairly easy, or very difficult depending on what you want to da and how much skill you have. It can be as simple as wiring a hub or switch to you DSL modem and then setting up your computers to use the hub. Or you can go the router route and have a real fancy shmancy network service going.
Wireless presents some very real and different security issues so make sure you understand how to properly protect your network. If you can connect to the network, someone outside the house, like neighbors or bad guys may be able to do it too. Lots of people do not properly protect their WiFi service.

Get as much memory as you can afford. 2 gig would be nice. AMD processors are very reliable and well established processors.”

“I'd upgrade to 2 gig on the memory. Vista alone will use up half of that 1 gig.”

“Okay, cool. Also have heard that Vista sucks ass. True?”

“Not at all. I just bought my daughter a new laptop for school with it and it has a lot of features I like. Prolly the best is that you have to approve a program starting up so no one else can.

You can get a Linksys wireless G router that comes with simple to use software to setup a relatively secure network.”