Computer advice please!

[oldleftguy]

I need help selecting a DOS laptop. I have always used Mac or Apple Computers. (An Apple II got me through graduate school). My wife just got a job as a special Ed teacher and we are moving to a rural community. My problem is the school district has only DOS machines.

She needs a laptop. What kind should I get? We will be 2 hours from any major city so reliability is a pressing need. Also, we have a G85 HP Printer/Fax/Copier.

Will we be able to use the G85? USB is the connection peripheral.

How much memory do we need?

I need brand name advice. Thanks!

[FlashHarry]

1. Are there any DOS PCs anymore?

I thought MS hasn't used DOS since Win95 (other than the DOS 'shell' in Win98.)

That being said, I have an HP laptop that runs WinXP, and it seems to be pretty rock-solid. I bought a refurb (with extended warranty) for around $800. It has a 1.2GB processor, 256MB RAM (which I upgraded), DVD/CD-RW and a 20GB HD. Not bad for the bucks.

Now, if I had unlimited funds... I'd buy an Apple PowerBook.

[oldleftguy]

4. Sorry..

Anything that isn't Mac is DOS to this old guy!

[FlashHarry]

5. LOL!

I figured that's what you meant! (I sort of think that way, too.) I use an OSX Mac at work, and it's pretty, well, sweet.

[ixion]

2. While DOS isn't widely used anymore, it's still around on the HD

I would say you should go for a Dell if you're not into building it yourself. If you have some experience with hardware, you can get a very powerful 'bare bones' system and expand on that... laptopwise, though, the two best companies are IBM and Dell, for the most part. Sony makes pretty good laptops as well.

You should have at least 256MB Ram, the more the better.

You should have at least a 10 Gig HD.
If you want to save money, cut back on clockspeed (Mhz).
Get DDR ram, if you can swing it.

Hope this helps...

[oldleftguy]

6. It does. Thanks!

What's GDR? Is it a brand name?

[AntiCoup2K4]

3. If the printer is USB, then it should plug into any new laptop

Since you'll be using Windows as an OS, it's very likely that it will auto - detect the printer once you plug in the USB printer. Or if not, a driver disk probably came with the printer. If it didn't, the driver is easily downloaded from the HP website.

A SONY VAIO laptop is probably a good choice. Gateways are good, from what I've heard. Avoid Dell, unless you want to help finance Dip W Shit's "re" election!

[oldleftguy]

7. Don't worry.

After your editorial--Dell is out of the running. Thanks!

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

9. I have a Dell

But I got it a year ago before your article :(

[FloridaPat]

8. Toshiba and Dell both have good reputations.

I have a Toshiba. 3rd one. They traveled all over the country and basically became antiques before they could die.

Dell has great customer service. They do everything they say they do.