Computers, and a little random memery

[saxikath]

So, I need a new computer. Mine is increasingly cranky, not to mention out of date. And I really want a laptop, because I seem to be much more effective when I take my work someplace other than my house to do.

Part of me really would like to get a Mac laptop, but there are two big things militating against that: (a) I'd have to replace all the peripherals (printer, scanner, etc.) as well, when the ones I have do just fine for what I need, and (b) the crossword software I need for The Enigma only exists for PC.

So anyone have any suggestions? I've been browsing various sites online, and so far the best deal I seem to be finding for what I want is a Compaq. Anyone have experience with them? Or other varieties?

And now, a meme.

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So, I need a new computer. Mine is increasingly cranky, not to mention out of date. And I really want a laptop, because I seem to be much more effective when I take my work someplace other than my house to do.

Part of me really would like to get a Mac laptop, but there are two big things militating against that: (a) I'd have to replace all the peripherals (printer, scanner, etc.) as well, when the ones I have do just fine for what I need, and (b) the crossword software I need for <i>The Enigma</i> only exists for PC.

So anyone have any suggestions? I've been browsing various sites online, and so far the best deal I seem to be finding for what I want is a Compaq. Anyone have experience with them? Or other varieties?

And now, a meme.

<lj-cut text="Behind a cut because the image is huge.">
<center>
<text="#F8F9C8" link="#AAAFFF" vlink="#E42866" alink="#008800" leftmargin="5">
<a href="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/animaniquiz.html">Which Animaniacs Character are You?<br>
<img src="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/yakko.gif" border=0></a>
<h6>Talkative, huh? Perhaps sing-ative would be more appropriate, actually. When people don't understand something, it usually drives you to cutting, sarcastic remarks. Your other extreme is bursting into song with almost no prompting, often to explain complex ideas. No one knows quite what you are, exactly. You have made many "special" friends, and there's baloney in your slacks.
<a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/rinnaldo"><br>Click here to see my Livejournal.</a></h6>
</center>

I don't think I'm usually sarcastic... but the random bursting into song is another matter. :)

Comments

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

I just got a new computer for Christmas. Laptop. Dell Inspiron (can't remember the number). So far, I love it. Though my husband is getting alot more use out of it than I am...:)

As for random meme:
I am Mindy...

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I just got a new computer for Christmas. Laptop. Dell Inspiron (can't remember the number). So far, I love it. Though my husband is getting alot more use out of it than I am...:)

As for random meme:
I am Mindy...
<center>
<text="#F8F9C8" link="#AAAFFF" vlink="#E42866" alink="#008800" leftmargin="5">
<a href="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/animaniquiz.html">Which Animaniacs Character are You?<br>"You are inquisitive to the point of getting trampled, run over, and blinded, on a daily basis. "<br>
"Why.....?"<br>
"It could be due to your scientific nature. You long to learn how things work."<br>
"Why.....?"<br>
"Because you really like to know things, but are prone to getting hurt."<br>
"Why.....?"<br>
"Because, if it wasn't for others generally taking the fall for you, you might well be dead by now! Remember, curiosity is great, but it also killed the cat. Well, in this case, the dog, Buttons, would probably be more appropriate."<br>
"Okay, lady, I love you, bu-bye!"
<img src="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/mindy.gif" border=0></a>
<h6>
<a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/rinnaldo"><br>Click here to see my Livejournal.</a></h6>
</center>

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

Can't be bothered to paste in another huge graphic, but I am Mindy too. This is getting weird.

Oooh, oooh, me-me! I mean, meme!

[navrins]

Oh, okay, but only because I don't want to do any real work today.

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Oh, okay, but only because I don't want to do any real work today.

<center>
<text="#F8F9C8" link="#AAAFFF" vlink="#E42866" alink="#008800" leftmargin="5">
<a href="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/animaniquiz.html">Which Animaniacs Character are You?<br>
<img src="http://www.umich.edu/~rorder/brain.gif" border=0></a>
<h6>You have megalomaniacal impulses regularly. That's not necessarily a bad thing, however, as you have the cranial capacity of a small planet. Trying to take over the world is hard work, though, and you're not above exploiting your lessers. Even now, you have a plan that's being enacted which will pitch the world's economy into turmoil, leaving the floodgates of trade exposed for the sole owner of stock in the Pets.com © company! You are en route to taking over the world!<br>
Oh, and you ARE pondering what I'm pondering.
</h6>
</center>

I'm not surprised.

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

Re. computer: please ensure it has Intel inside? :-)

[crossfire.livejournal.com]

I'm quite pleased with my Dell laptop.

And I agree, the apple laptops are all quite lustworthy. *sigh*

Dell laptops

[andyt.livejournal.com]

I have to be an anti-voice for Dell laptops, unfortunately. I've had two now. My advisor has had two. The other guy I'm doing thesis stuff with has had one. Every one of these laptops has had major problems, involving long phone calls with tech support trying to convince Dell to fix them. Every one of these laptops was in warranty (half the problem was getting Dell to honor the warranty).

For my current laptop (Inspiron 5000e), I'm on screen 3, keyboard 3, hard disk 3, and DVD drive 2. My previous one (which sees very little usage these days is on hard drive 2, screen 2, and keyboard 2.

It's gotten so that I don't depend on my laptop any more (I used to have everything on there -- got sick of reinstalling it). I will never buy another Dell.

In terms of service/support/reliability, my advisor is of the opinion that Sony, IBM, or Toshiba is the way too go (though he thinks Sony and IBM are overpriced). I haven't done the research myself, but he's generally pretty good at looking into this kind of thing.

Just my 2 cents...
Andy

[zenala.livejournal.com]

Well, as far as laptops go, I'm also happy with my Dell. Of course, I tend to be fairly easy-going as far as computers go. As for the meme... Well, everybody knows I'm cute, so what?

[totient]

Buy a metal laptop. This includes all the apple laptops (the non-titanium ones have magnesium frames and plastic outsides), some older Sonys, and some newer Sharps. Probably a bunch of others as well, I don't really keep track any more. Manufacturer makes less difference than material; metal is just plain more durable than plastic. My metal Sony 505TX has seen more than four years of daily abuse and is still powering away on the original everything (though I've worn out a plastic external USB mouse).

[eleccham.livejournal.com]

May I strongly advise against purchasing a Compaq, of any variety, model, or size, ever.

Their hardware is non-standard. They intentionally try and make them hard to upgrade. They're difficult to work on as a tech (they use farging Torx instead of screws!) Their support, depending on what particular thing you're after, ranges from quite good to completely non-existent. They often use the absolute cheapest parts they can possibly get their hands on.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that as someone who does tech support for friends more often than I possibly should, and frequently builds computers from parts in an hour or two (my record is 15 minutes)... I have a pretty strict policy of refusing to touch anything from Compaq. I've had too many instances of what should have been a quick and easy fix turning into a ten-hour hair-tearing session.