You are my hero

I know my husband's wireless connection at work is ridiculously slow. They were faster when they weren't wireless.

Just thought I'd get your opinion before I start poking around...

Julia

I'm a computer geek. However, I haven't really looked into Wireless yet.

Since we'll be moving into that teeny house, we need to network the desktop computer and my laptop. The office is upstairs... the laptop will be used in the living room, bedroom, and also upstairs. The house is literally under 600 sq. feet right now, without the second floor finished. (That tacks on an addition livable 200 or so.)

Anyway, I'm now thinking that I should look into it. How much MORE (if at all?) expensive is it than traditional wiring? What is needed? And, I can't believe I am going to ask this, but I've been out of the loop working in this current job, is it compatible with cable modem? I know it is, but I just want to hear it...

Thanks, Gar. I know you love it, so I'm not bothering you. Hee hee.

Julia

I bot my Compaq laptop two years ago, for about $2,100. Compaq now has a model, the Presario 3015, that has an awesome 16 inch screen (which is huge for a laptop), a 60 GB hard drive, 512 MB Ram, a DVD and CD burner, etc. It sells at CompUSA for $1,695, which is a pretty good price for a laptop with all of that. You can probably even get it cheaper directly from Compaq. After I bot my Presario 2700 and called them for a tech question, the guy I spoke with said I could have gotten it directly from them for about $200 less.

The downside to the new 3015 model is that it is kinda ugly gray, where the 2700 I have is really cool looking. It's also a bit heavy, at about 8 lbs. But it really comes loaded. You should be able to see one and try it out if there is a CompUSA near you. But watch out for the warranties that store sells. Very very expensive. You get a much cheaper extended warranty directly from Compaq.

Also, I mentioned Wi-Fi in a post above. That is if you get a laptop.

but I would try to get a warranty from someone else. Not sure, but I think certain credit cards provide a warranty too. I really like Gateway and its products, just concerned that the company may go bankrupt. I bot my first desktop from a company I loved, called Ares, but it went out of business too.

hard to beat their prices. Just the other day I saw some pretty well equipped systems from Compaq and HP that sell for about $700, including monitor. But I don't think you can buy those without a monitor, as they come pre packaged.

You can also go to the web sites of Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Micron PC, etc. and custom order your computer. The sites let you determine how much RAM you want (I suggest no less than 512 MB), the size of the hard drive, whether you want a DVD and CD burner, whether you want Wi-Fi, etc. If you get confused, one of their people will talk you thru it on the phone, tho be careful as they may try to sell you more than you really want. However, I know Compaq has some customized systems on their site that don't require you to make all those decisions, and I'm sure the other companies do also.

To get started, I suggest you go to a bookstore and buy the current issues of PC Magazine and PC World, then look at the ads in them from Dell, Compaq, HP, and Gateway. Then compare the features of the different models. When you buy, be sure to tell whomever you speak with that you will be using the computer to access the internet, and tell him or her whether you will be using a dial up modem or a broadband connection such as DSL or cable.

Julia made a good point. If you are in the market for a tech product, be it a digital camera, photo printer, or new computer, go to www.cnet.com, click on the Product Reviews tab near the top, and type in the search block the models you are interested in.

This is a great source of feedback from ordinary consumers who post their opinions of the products they have bought. Cnet also provides a product review by one of their expert staffers for most products, but I prefer the opinions of people who actually own the products and use them day in and day out versus a professional reviewer who gets a sample model and perhaps spends a couple of hours with it.

Some other good sources are to go to the web sites for PC Magazine and PC World. The web sites are www.pcmagazine.com and www.pcworld.com . These two magazines routinely publish reviews of their opinions of the best laptops, best desktops, etc.

You may want to also contact Jacob. I know he puts together desktop computers for sale. Don't know if he does laptops, tho.

... My warrantee (sp?) has been up for years as I got the computer in 1999 and I love it, but based on what you just wrote, I certainly wouldn't go with them when I upgrade. (Which will be soon, I think!)

Julia

I have windows ME and it is better than the 95 I had previously. But all those crappy messages. I think that I have all kinds of viruses too. Not me the computer lol.. Anyways we have compaq at work and they suck so I am trying to stay away from that unless it is the network where I work which is a big possiblity. How much does what you have go for? I am looking for the cheapest yet fastest computer because I have no patience whatsoever when it comes to the computer. Thanks

sorry.

they make great computers, and I came real close to recently buying a desktop from them, but what I've read the company is having serious financial problems. I think they also just announced the last day or two that the federal gov't is doing a criminal investigation of the company. Thus, they may go under, tho I don't think it's imminent. So, if you buy a Gateway, you may want to get a warranty from another company, like Best Buy, Comp USA, etc.

I do think Gateway makes great machines, tho. But Dell is such a competitive juggernaut now that it's crushing the other companies. Which I find ironic. I started up a company to sell computers directly to consumers via the internet about 7 years before Dell did so. Back then, Dell was considered a joke because it's computers were so shabby. But to Michael Dell's credit, he brought in a whole new executive team that did an incredible turnaround of the company. I'm hoping the same happens to Gateway. The more competition, the better for us consumers.

Whatever computer you buy, be sure to get one with Wi-Fi. I promise you will love it.

that lets me take the laptop on the front porch, into the family room, etc., without any cords. Wi-Fi is awesome. Spreading like fire. Will soon be in most McDonalds and Starbucks. Also moving into Barnes & Nobles.

I have a Micron desktop too, but rarely use it anymore. If you buy a new computer with Windows XP and more RAM, I think you will find most of those messages stop. One reason I rarely use the desktop is that I hate Windows 98. 95 wasn't too bad, but 98 just sucked.

we have a compaq and are very satisified with it.

Gateway but it too is old...

Dell has some phenomenal deals. I know my company got us all flatscreens as a free upgrade. And I know you say you don't need a monitor, but often times, it's CHEAPER to get a CPU/Monitor/Printer/Scanner package than to buy piecemeal.

That being said, I LOVE my Gateway and have never had a single problem with it... except a power cord connection that needed to be tightened.

Gary will probably jump in with a lot more help and www.cnet.com references.

Julia

We have an older Dell and a newer Dell. We have been very happy with the quality and service. Now if I just had time for a serious class. I still can't post a picture.

I live computers and I suggest to all my clients to purchase Dell. Dell is one of the few large computer companies that R&D their PCs for compatibility. Get one of their packages and you can't go wrong. You probably show get a monitor with the PC unless you really recently purchased a new monitor. Dell has award winning support and I suggest you purchase a at home maintenance program - could save you headaches in the future.

We've owned three gateways in the last two years and they all had major problems, even our friends had big problems with them too - and their customer service is a nightmare! They dont know what they are talking about, Definitely get a DELL - they are so cheap, I've yet to have a problem with the two of ours yet, going on a year and it's soooooo fast

N/M

THE ONLY THING THAT I DONT LIKE IS I GOT THE WIRELESS ROUTER, IT DOESN'T WORK WITH AOL SO IT IS SITTING IN A BOX.