Advice: New Computer

[kat_h]

I'm only using linux at home, so the network only has 6 computers (1 mac, 1 linux, the rest XP) and there was no problem with it at all. I can't say if it would be as easy on a more complex network.

[boy in a kilt]

I just replaced my old laptop with a new one. Toshiba Satellite running Vista.

Things I didn't have to do with Vista that I had to do with XP:
1) Load 166mb of crap for our printer when all I wanted was the driver
2) Put a lot of work into installing my e-mail account. Outlook asked for the e-mail address and the pass word, then figured it out itself
3) Install the drivers for my Smart Card reader. I did have to install the DoD certificates but that's not bad.


Also, my MP3 player (actually, a Sony Minidisc player) seems to load much faster with the new computer. Probably because this thing has 2GB of RAM.

[emily_in_nc]

I read an article online that mentioned refurbished computers as a good choice if you want an XP system. Apparently they've been scrubbed, repaired (if needed), and are as good as new (possibly a few cosmetic blemishes). Any that are not "A" class are shipped for overseas sales, so the refurb units available in the US are all "A" class. Apparently all the big manufacturers (Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc) offer refurbished units.

I will definitely consider one for my next PC after reading the article...had never even thought of it before!

Emily

[motochick]

I have one thing to say..... MAC! My only regret is I didn't do it 10 years ago. I can't believe how long I put up with the PC junk.

Brenda

[guanajagirl]

MAC's all the way! The refurbs are pretty resasonable too

[KnottedYet]

another vote for Mac. Their refurbished really are offered at good prices. My kid has a refurbished MacBook; it runs Windows, Apple's OS, and Unbutu as he has it set up now.

I have an older iBook that does everything I need.

[mupedalpusher]

Buy a MAC and you can have it all! You can run both MacOS and Windows. And if you want to live on the wild side you can do both at once with a program called Parallels!! I use this at work because i have some PC apps I have to use but I'm a Mac person by nature. Spend a little more now and be happy forever!!