OK! I need your advice today.........I'm in the market......

[CaliforniaPeggy]

For a laptop...

I don't need anything fancy, at all...

Email access

DU access

Lots of storage space, for photos

Wifi ability

Especially important: 24 hour helpline, including overseas!

Ability to burn CD's

We're going to Europe next spring, and I want to be able to download my pictures on a daily basis, and talk to you guys!

:bounce: :bounce:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

1. I got an HP in Sept. and I LOVE it

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment&series_name=dv2000z_series

It has built in wifi, a built in webcam, huge memory, quick start-up, 3 years of service with 24 hour help, burns CDs and DVDs.

On edit: Its the smallest screen on the series, since I bring it to school with me, they have bigger screens...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear MAHNY!

Now that's the sort of advice I can use........

What you have and how well you like it!

Thanks sweetie!

How small is your screen?

Great to hear from you!

:pals:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

7. The screen is 14.1, but when I show it to people they think its like 16 inches

the display is beautiful, better then my desktop. I got it cause it was the lightest weight, i think they go over 20 inches if you want

[YDogg]

2. Two Acers in our family

5000 series. They have worked well, and do all of what you want. Not sure about phone help stuff, though. Haven't needed it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear YDogg.........

Acers?

What are those?

Is that a brand name?

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Dupe...delete

[LeftyMom]

5. I like my Sony. I have no idea what their tech support is like, I've never needed it.

But still: Sony Vaio :thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Ah, I thank you!

Sony Vaio!

I'll remember that one.......:hi:

[av8rdave]

9. I have a Vaio as well...take it on all of my trips...very rugged

My son got a Dell for college. He's been happy with it, and says the support is good

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear av8rdave..........

It is a Microsoft machine, right?

Not a Macintosh?

I want a Microsoft machine!

[av8rdave]

12. Both the Vaio and the Dell are Microsoft machines

[mvd]

11. The Sony VAIO is ok, Peggy, but I'd get it custom ordered

I bought my VAIO PC in Best Buy, and it came with security programs and some junk. I worried that when I uninstalled the security that was on there for other security, something was done to the operating system. Some programs have had problems that others don't report.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. That is a very good thought!

I was wondering about what sorts of programs come on those machines....

Thanks!

I also plan to read Consumer's Report for their take on laptops.......

:hi:

[Sanity Claws]

14. I have a Gateway

I got it August or so from Best Buy. I don't have any problems with it so I don't know about tech support.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Gateway, duly noted!

And..........thanks!

:hi:

[erinlough]

16. Hello CaliforniaPeggy!!!!!

I love your posts by the way, you are always so positive.....something I fall short of sometimes.

However, I just got a great computer, laptop, from gateway. Right before Christmas it was on sale for about 650.00. It is a NX570X model and has 1.60GHz with 1GB ram. It weighs next to nothing, has a great screen and works like a charm. I highly recommend you look at this one. The customer service was great when I bought it and sales were in the US. I have had no problems with it so I don't know about technical service.

I just love this thing, Oh I upgraded to the DVD player/burner and an intel core duel processor. So, my price was a little higher. I think it travels really well also, I take it to school every day. Did I mention it is wireless and bluetooth compatible?

I hope this gives you another option to check out.

erinlough

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. My dear erinlough!

Why, thank you so much, my dear!

I do appreciate your input very much.......

You can hardly have too many options, IMHO!

I will most certainly check it out.........

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

17. Damn!

I thought you were in the market for someone to lurve!

:loveya: :hug:

I'll lurve you anyway!

Don't know much about laptops

I've got an HP that is eh, okay

I'd like to get a new one though it's a few years old now and while it works okay it burns up wireless adapters.

:shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear Southpawkicker!

Not looking for love tonight, sweetie! :hug:

Ya know I lurve you too......

:loveya:

[GOPisEvil]

18. Whatever you do, DO NOT get a Dell laptop.

I've already had to reinstall Windows TWICE on mine and I got it in July 2005. x(

I've heard good things about Acers. They are quite affordable at major retailers like Best Buy.

[GalleryGod]

20. Roger that, Dave !

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. OK....Nix on Dell!

Now I've heard that from both you and Redstone........

Two guys I respect!

I am not at all familiar with Acers, though.......

But I'll look 'em up!

Thanks, D!

:hi:

[Deja Q]

33. Dell and Sony laptops are garbage...

I'm not keen on Toshiba anymore either...

I'd probably go with HP... or if you can afford it, an iBook.

Regardless, get the extended warranty. The LCD screen is "the hidden market" should it need repair and you're not covered...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear Hypno!

Thank you so much!

Money isn't really a problem........

I want to get really good value for it, though.......

I do keep hearing good things about HP......

Extended warranty, check!

:hi:

[GalleryGod]

19. HP worked well for Us...why would you want to

spoil a European Tour by logging-in to DU,though.

I bet Mr. C-P is just thrilled.:sarcasm:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear GalleryGod!

Now, you know darned well that I miss all my friends when I go on long trips!

And besides, I will need the memory of my laptop to store my pics every day, so I can remember just where we were, and what we were looking at!

I appreciate your input.....as always!

:hug:

[Road Scholar]

21. My Dear California Peggy

I have a Dell. I travel everywhere with it and I download pics too. I have a trip to Alaska Planned in May.
Tell Dell what you want and they will custom build one just for you with your specs.Get a battery recharger for your camera and keep an extra set charged for your camera.
If you show me yours, I'll show you mine LOL:toast: :rofl: :rofl:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. My dear In_Transit.........

Well, um, I dunno......a couple of guys I know said to avoid Dell.....

I'll just have to do some research on the brand and see what I think!

I'm not brave enough for show 'n tell!

Thanks for your input!

:hi:

[Lex]

23. Hi CP!

:hi:

This doesn't answer your question, but I want to tell you that I just about completely filled up my laptop's hard-drive with pictures. I was getting an ominious "you are running out of hard drive space" on my laptop. It's only 20 gig.

Anyhow, I was able to solve that problem by purchasing an external hard drive (80 gig) for 90 bucks at Office Depot. I've moved most of my pictures over to it and have freed up 25% of my hard drive. The computer is running much better.

I don't know if this helps you in the least, or if it might help you in the future, but I just thought I'd chime in.

Here's I/O's page (the brand I got): http://www.iomagic.com/Categories/results.asp?cat=76

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. My dear Lex!

That's very nice of you, all that info!

I definitely know I will need lots of memory........

Plus the ability to burn CD's to hold my pics..........

And one way or the other, I will get that memory!

:hi:

[Little Wing]

25. make sure it comes with a sturdy . key

:hide:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. My dear Little Wing!

Why on earth would I want a key, esp. a sturdy one?

I'm not planning on storing anything dirty, or like that!

And my husband stays out of my stuff anyhow.......

Perhaps it'll come with one!

Ya never know!

:hi:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. A G4 iBook.

Once you've had Mac you'll never go back.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear Ocelot!

You know, I've used my husband's Mac desktops.......

And I really prefer my wintel desktop.......

I'm used to it, and I don't plan to change now.......

But thanks anyway!

:hi:

[darkstar]

35. I agree with MAHNY way up top

re: your needs. I'm no computer expert, but the Pavilion screens are something else, in terms of viewable space and vividness (like MAHNY said). Ms. darkstar does photo stuff, like you, she liked it; I liked it too re: watching movies.

And, somehow, for me at least, the prevent eye fatigue during long writing, editing and layout days. Maybe lots of newer laptops score high on this last account, but it kicks b-utt on the older machines I've used, that's fer sure.

I dunno. Hope this helped. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. My dear darkstar!

Of course this is helpful!

Pavilion screens, check!

:hi:

Thanks!