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Question about Computers...is this a good buy?
FREEPers everywhere

Posted on 07/05/2007 3:51:06 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat

I need a bit of advice. I do not own a notebook/laptop computer, this will be my first purchase.

Offered to me NEW: a Toshiba Satellite A135-S2326. Windows Vista Basic (I know, I know...bugs/monster memory eater), 80gb hard drive, 512M of RAM. 15.4" screen.

The price after rebates: $350.

I might eventually upgrade the RAM to 1 or 2GB.

This is going to be used primarily for a child being homeschooled, maybe to watch DVDs during travel, light internet usage in airports, etc. Nothing massive.

Is $350 a good price?


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computers; goodbye; notebook
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thanks for any help. RD
1 posted on 07/05/2007 3:51:09 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Don’t get Vista basic. Get an upgrade, any upgrade.


2 posted on 07/05/2007 3:52:30 PM PDT by RightWhale (It's Brecht's donkey, not mine)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Toshiba sold high-speed milling technology to the Soviets in contravention of U.S. law. I vote, nyet.


3 posted on 07/05/2007 3:52:49 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Offered to you? Of course it is a good price.


4 posted on 07/05/2007 3:52:58 PM PDT by TommyDale (Never forget the Republicans who voted for illegal immigrant amnesty in 2007!)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Spend $89 extra and get a legitimate copy of Windows XP Pro SP2. Then install it instead of the Vista crap.


5 posted on 07/05/2007 3:54:16 PM PDT by TommyDale (Never forget the Republicans who voted for illegal immigrant amnesty in 2007!)
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To: TommyDale

Did you get the license number of the truck it was being sold out of the back of?


6 posted on 07/05/2007 3:54:31 PM PDT by SlowBoat407 (It's never a good time to get sucked into an evil vortex.)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Don’t skimp on the extra memory. Vista needs it regardless of what Microsoft says, IMHO.


7 posted on 07/05/2007 3:55:18 PM PDT by OK
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To: Recovering_Democrat

You need a linux box. Or a Macintosh. Or a ball point and a graph pad.


8 posted on 07/05/2007 3:55:42 PM PDT by Asclepius
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Sounds like a good buy.


9 posted on 07/05/2007 3:55:54 PM PDT by what's up
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To: Recovering_Democrat
Check this one out.

That's a lower-end laptop that might be about right for your purposes. You might investigate extended warranties (especially for the display) if it's for a kid. 512 MB is a little light for Vista, IMHO, but it'll run.

10 posted on 07/05/2007 3:56:06 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: SlowBoat407

LOL....It comes with oven mitts?


11 posted on 07/05/2007 3:56:59 PM PDT by vietvet67
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To: Recovering_Democrat

I haven’t tried Vista yet, but Dell recommends a minimum of 1 gig of memory, and I’ve heard that 2 gig does better.


12 posted on 07/05/2007 3:57:09 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Recovering_Democrat
I have the same Toshiba. Did in place upgrade to Windows Premium. Added more memory. Bought it at Wal-mart. Not a top of the line laptop with a Celeron M chip, but adequate for every tasks.
13 posted on 07/05/2007 3:57:48 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: RightWhale

Don’t get Vista. Microsoft is forcing Vista to the market and Toshiba signed a deal with the devil. That’s probably why the price is so low.

Stay with XP.


14 posted on 07/05/2007 3:58:05 PM PDT by George from New England
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Yes, that’s a very reasonable price.


15 posted on 07/05/2007 3:58:49 PM PDT by LambSlave
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To: Cicero

And Vista will take FIVE minutes to boot


16 posted on 07/05/2007 3:58:53 PM PDT by George from New England
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To: Recovering_Democrat
In general, that’s a pretty good deal. However, it’s not too different than what you could get one week out of four at Best Buy or Circuit City.

You can always upgrade Vista after you’ve bought it, but I’d go with the next version up from that if possible.

What you mentioned should work with what you said you needed it for.

17 posted on 07/05/2007 3:58:59 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Recovering_Democrat; ShadowAce

Tech ping...


18 posted on 07/05/2007 3:59:24 PM PDT by tubebender (Large reward for person offering leads to my missing tag lines...)
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To: TommyDale

And what about all the .x files that she/he won’t be able to download? patches and more patches.


19 posted on 07/05/2007 3:59:30 PM PDT by eleni121 (+ En Touto Nika! By this sign conquer! + Constantine the Great)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

350 is a good price for a notebook but Vista Basic is less functional than XP. I would upgrade to Vista Business and up the RAM to 2 GB.

That should run you an extra 200 or so.


20 posted on 07/05/2007 3:59:34 PM PDT by HEY4QDEMS (Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
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