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Lightning blew out my computer! Need to replace. Laptop this time?
Free Republic | Friday, June 19, 2015 | Onyx

Posted on 06/19/2015 2:43:57 PM PDT by onyx

A huge thunderstorm ripped through here four days ago. It blew out my TV and my computer. My small town only has a Walmart and an Office Depot. I would prefer to go buy a new computer at Walmart. I'm thinking a laptop would be a better purchase. I have no idea how to install it on my own. I'm thinking of asking a clerk to come home with me to install it and I will pay him $50. I need this new computer installed before the start of our FReepathon on July 1

I will also need one that I can operate with a mouse. I need serious suggestions and price is extremely important.

I am truly at a loss. Attempts to shop online using my iPhone are about as productive as my attempts to successfully post here using my iPhone

My dearest FRiend in the whole world, penelopesire, and her husband Allen were just here and they both confirmed that both my computer and TV ARE KAPUT!!

Which brand and model? I'd like to buy it today. Vicksburg Mississippi Walmart No secrecy here.

P S. I have lost everything on the old computer. I guess that means I would have to start from scratch to install the colored font thing right? I am such a novice I am just absolutely overwhelmed. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. God bless you all.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: advice; computers; laptops
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To: onyx

Considering how your computer and tv got fried, the laptop has the advantage of being quickly removed from the surge protector and the path of travel from a lightning strike.

There are many mid-priced laptops and net books that can probably serve your needs.

If it is used mostly for web browsing, storing images and home videos you really don’t need the hypersonic speed of the top end cpu’s.

Note that even the laptops with track pads can handle a cordless bluetooth mouse. I’ve used such a setup for about three years, rarely accessing the three hd towers I have.

Do suggest that you dismiss the google books with a sneer.

With the USB ports connecting printers is really almost child’s play.

Make sure you get at least 4gb of ram memory and 500gb hard drive.


61 posted on 06/19/2015 3:19:16 PM PDT by Covenantor ("Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: NormsRevenge

Last fall I bought a windows surface and keyboard. The key board is extra. I like it very much. I use it for my on line college class on the u.s constitution . Finding your way around takes a little getting used to, but not difficult. It’s windows iOS 8. My iPad mini which I’m using now is more user friendly but the screen is small and no keyboard. I use it for surfing the net and email.
The surface has a nice screen display and of course is touch screen, but you have the option of the touch pad on the keyboard or using a usb mouse.


62 posted on 06/19/2015 3:23:00 PM PDT by Conservative4Ever (Hey Hillary, ... liar, liar pants on fire.-)
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To: mrsmith

I have two factory refurbished computers that have given me no trouble for several years now.


63 posted on 06/19/2015 3:23:13 PM PDT by iowamark (I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy)
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To: sand88

Double bump for what sand88 said. Ask a local pc repair guy to take a look at it before you buy a new one.


64 posted on 06/19/2015 3:24:13 PM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: onyx

Today’s computers are simply plug in and go.

For internet, ask your service provider to walk you through for free.

As for a mouse on a lap top, it’s the same as on a desk top. Just buy a $10 mouse and plug it in to the lap top. Easy peasy.

But first, buy a surge protector. Plug everything into the surge protector and plug the surge protector into the wall.


65 posted on 06/19/2015 3:24:13 PM PDT by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: onyx

The only limitation that I’ve encountered with my HP Pavilion laptop versus a desktop is that I can’t run the Folding At Home program in the background. The cooling capabilities of the laptop just won’t allow 100% CPU utilization for extended periods without overheating.


66 posted on 06/19/2015 3:26:25 PM PDT by Bob (No, being a US Senator and the Secretary of State are not accomplishments; they're jobs.)
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To: Boogieman

Yes, lap tops get hot and may damage your desk. I have mine sitting on two wooden 12” rulers so it isn’t touching the desk and a bit of air circulates. If you have a cat, don’t let it sleep against the vent.


67 posted on 06/19/2015 3:27:13 PM PDT by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: fwdude

“Today’s laptops work every bit as well as desktops”

I’m not spoiling for a fight, but . . . No. They don’t.


68 posted on 06/19/2015 3:27:23 PM PDT by Dalberg-Acton
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To: onyx

Just some thoughts.

If you are more comfortable with a desk top then stay there. Also stay with
the type Operating System you are used to. I’ve found that local repair shops
can be helpful and often have used/2nd hand equipment that can be utilized.

Good luck


69 posted on 06/19/2015 3:27:25 PM PDT by deport
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To: onyx

“I’m thinking of asking a clerk to come home with me to install it and I will pay him $50. I need this new computer installed before the start of our FReepathon on July 1”

NO! You risk you life doing that. Read my Freepmail to you - do it that way as I did when it happened to me. Then, you just take it home and plug it in.


70 posted on 06/19/2015 3:27:28 PM PDT by Marcella (TED CRUZ Prepping can save your life today. Going Galt is freedom.)
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To: Kirkwood

What is nonsense?


71 posted on 06/19/2015 3:29:32 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: onyx

I have a surge protector for my computer. Maybe it would be good to have one on the TV as well.

Sounds like you can use one on both as well. Not that this event will ever happen again in your lifetime, but it is cheap insurance for any type of electrical surge on your line.


72 posted on 06/19/2015 3:32:18 PM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (Lord God help us.)
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To: onyx

Whatever you do, DONT get a 5400 RPM hard drive. That is the bottleneck on every budget machine.

Pony up a little extra for a 7200 RPM


73 posted on 06/19/2015 3:35:07 PM PDT by varyouga
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To: Covenantor

Step two.

It occurs to me that with your computer fried you have no way of knowing if your printer, router, and other attached hardware are functional if they were connected via wire.

Worst case, plan for replacing those as well.

good luck!


74 posted on 06/19/2015 3:35:25 PM PDT by Covenantor ("Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: Hugin

Something like this probably?:

http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-pavilion-—17z-laptop-k3p95av-1?jumpid=ba_r329_hhocse&aoid=44661&003=6663635&010=K3P95AV_1&ci_sku=K3P95AV_1&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=#!&TabName=specs

That’s got a pretty much bottom of the barrel processor by modern standards. It’s hard to even find a laptop with that processor, because you can cram a better processor in a desktop and still price it similarly, because of the savings on other hardware. For example, this Dell has a better processor, the same RAM, and a larger hard drive for only $50 more:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-3647-small-desktop/pd?oc=fdcwst313b&model_id=inspiron-3647-small-desktop


75 posted on 06/19/2015 3:35:45 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: Marcella; All

Thank you all so much!!!!

I am reading every comment with my sincere appreciation.

I will go to Walmart in the morning to look at all the computers and take mine to the repair shop on Monday.

I must be up and running by July 1, for our 3rd quarter FReepathon.

I think 10 days is ample time!


76 posted on 06/19/2015 3:37:12 PM PDT by onyx (PLEASE SUPPORT FR. Donate Monthly or Join Club 300! God bless)
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To: dinodino

Meh, for what Apple charges I can get at least 50% better hardware just buying a PC. That’s why you don’t see hardcore gamers using Macs. They are the ones pushing the hardware to the limit, and you cannot do that on a Mac.


77 posted on 06/19/2015 3:37:59 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: mrsmith

That’s a Celeron. It was a cheap-o processor even when it was new, and it’s pretty far from new.


78 posted on 06/19/2015 3:38:44 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: onyx
Consider the Surface Pro 3. You can use it like a PC with a keyboard and mouse, or like a tablet by touch with your finger or pen stylus.

You can get it with Office 365, which will stay current automatically over the internet.

-PJ

79 posted on 06/19/2015 3:40:27 PM PDT by Political Junkie Too (If you are the Posterity of We the People, then you are a Natural Born Citizen.)
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To: Covenantor

“the laptop has the advantage of being quickly removed from the surge protector and the path of travel from a lightning strike”

I don’t care how fast you are, you ain’t faster than lightning!


80 posted on 06/19/2015 3:40:35 PM PDT by Boogieman
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