In need of laptop

[Jennie@ifish]

I need a laptop for internet access when I travel. Ebay? I don't need a lot of power, or anything. Just realiable internet access.

What bidding site do you like, or where might I find an inexpensive, yet reliable laptop that is easy for Andrew and I to see the screen on?

Jen

[ 06-25-2003, 09:51 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Birdnest]

Jen,

My friend got a used one from Dell. It seems they have large corporate accounts where they take trade ins and sell them for dirt cheap. He got a real nice one for a couple hundred bucks. Might be an option.

Joe

[Jennie@ifish]

That sounds unsual, and enticing!
Can you find out who I contact?

Jen

[OceanBlue]

Jen - You can have mine. Of course, that would mean I'd lose my job, but what the heck!



Good luck to ya!

[BrionLutz]

Jennie,

If it's your main machine, best bet is put all the bucks into a really good laptop that is your allatime machine. Kind of the BlueBird RV travel theory of laptops...take it all with you.

Insure it (Safeware offers complete replacement cost insurance including data loss coverage...the real cost).

Back up data everytime you leave the house with it. (Jogs you to do regular backups which none of use does enough of).

You'll save money over having two laptops.

You'll save the PITA of synching the "travel" laptop with the day to day machine. You'll always need that file or email or address that's on the other machine.

For about $2K you can get a killer laptop, 16" UXGA screen, DVD/CD burner, big hard drive, network connection, wireless connection.

If it's a true 2nd machine, then get a good basic Dell (great service, get the 3 year, in house next day warranty) for about $1K and get some good synching software like LapLink.

I'd steer clear of the ebay and 2nd hand stuff, other than Dell's refurbished which come with a warranty.

Years of travel all over the world with a laptop is behind this free advise <grin>.

Brion

[Jennie@ifish]

It's not a main machine... Just for travel access and Andrew's school work, as he does almost all of his on the computer.

I agree about Dell's service guarantee. Unmatchable.


I'll take yours, Jen. :smile:


Jen

[lost_sailor]

I've had good luck with Dells at work. I think they all have modems and ethernet built in.

Avoid PCMCIA ("credit card") modems or network adapters - just one more layer of BS to screw up.

[Birdnest]

Jen,

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfo/misc/segmenter_dfo.htm

Joe

[BrionLutz]

Jennie,

With the eldest starting college this year, seemed like the big colleges all required laptops and provided a deal and service.

Some high school systems have similar deals.

You might want to check with the school and see if any mfg.s are offering student discounts.

For a kids computer definitely get full replacment, in house insurance. The IBM that BC required has been fried twice in just 4 months...suspected beer in the keyboard but root beer will do the job...no drama for all involved with insurance.

Brion

[El-Kabong]

Hi,

I found a great deal on a laptop on Ebay. Hard part was deciding exactly what I needed in a laptop then spending the time searching and waiting for the machine to come up for auction. (found one within 1 week)

In the end I found a gatway 600 for half the price of a new machine.

Both Gateway and Dell have refurbished machines that they sell at a discount, but not as good a deal as a used machine on ebay.

MGM

[The Fishing Geek]

Dell has laptops starting at $700 after a $100 rebate. You wouldn't need much to do what you are talking about.

My experience with laptops is that they are very expensive to fix when hardware goes bad, especially the flat panel, which can cost upwards of $800 to replace. If you can afford the extra warranty, do it. Otherwise...ouch.

Used laptops are a real chance that I wouldn't take unless the price was wonderful.

Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's been my experience.