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.
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.
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.
I have two factory refurbished computers that have given me no trouble for several years now.
Double bump for what sand88 said. Ask a local pc repair guy to take a look at it before you buy a new one.
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.
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.
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.
“Today’s laptops work every bit as well as desktops”
I’m not spoiling for a fight, but . . . No. They don’t.
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
“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.
What is nonsense?
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.
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
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!
Something like this probably?:
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:
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!
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.
That’s a Celeron. It was a cheap-o processor even when it was new, and it’s pretty far from new.
You can get it with Office 365, which will stay current automatically over the internet.
-PJ
“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!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.