Netbook - Laptop - Pc -- Help On Getting Back Into Contact With You&#3

[AnneLine]

dUSt, ARFink, Papist and FidesJack,

Thanks for comments above. This is all REALLY helpful!

I will need to do a LOT of typing and MS office apps - at least Word & Excel. I don't think a touchpad keyboard will work for me... but otherwise the IPAD is a great little beastie... it's also why I'm not really looking at tablets.

Will be doing some research, and may try to come up with a few finalists to get your thoughts.... any and all ideas and feedback are REALLY appreciated, and are getting you all a BIG mention in my prayers.... They Holy Spirit is networking through all of you.... and isn't that what Pham should be about?

[Papist]

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1342641559' post='2456844']
You missed the part where she said "a lot of typing". Using a touch-sensitive keyboard probably isn't the way to go at this point. You won't be able to type as fast - guaranteed.

Honestly, I prefer Toshiba laptops myself, but it sounds like you don't need anything more than a netbook. I wouldn't go with a desktop - in your situation you'll regret it later if you do.

Yes, I've used wireless mice, and they're made pretty good these days - very reliable - just may take a little getting used to.

I also prefer Intel chips (rather than AMD) - but I'm biased. I would take a basic I3 over a cheapo AMD any day.
[/quote]

A lot of typing or not, one gets used to the onscreen keyboard. I am with you, if you are going laptop, Toshiba is my recommendation. I personally believe a netbook is a waste of money.

[Papist]

Sorry Anne. I should have read your whole OP before chiming in. Based on your OP, I recommend a laptop, and from my previous post, I recommend a Toshiba.

[Slappo]

Really it sounds like any $300-400 laptop would serve your purposes. You'll probably want a 13" or 15" screen for better portability, lighter weight, and battery life.

You don't need things like a 6 core processor and 8gb of ram to surf the web, watch youtube, and type in microsoft word .

4gb ram intel i3 processor, 500gb harddrive, windows 7, at least 3 USB ports, with a 13-15" monitor would probably be what you want. For the most part any USB mouse or keyboard will be compatable with any PC. Standard USB mouses and keyboards are even cross compatable with macbooks.

If you plan on using an external mouse and keyboard, I'd really reccomend getting a minimum of 3usb ports otherwise you wouldn't have space in your computer to plug in a camera, flash drive, external hard drive, or anything else while your keyboard and mouse are plugged in.

As for my reccomended brand? The one that's on sale...

[Slappo]

FYI the specs of the laptop I listed are good enough to play modern day video games on low settings with a low end video card like the Intel HD3000. I can run Diablo III low settings with those specs with my intel HD 3000... so you can definitely surf the web, watch movies, and type!

[AnneLine]

I love my TECHYPHAM!

Think I am starting to narrow stuff down to a netbook or laptop.... not sure exact one yet (think Slappo might have the right idea... one that is on sale....) but we will see.

Will look at Toshibas... dUSt, the laptop you suggest looks really good but also is a bit big & heavy as I (literally) have to carry it around on my back, up and down a fairly steep hill for one mile to the bus... and (ug!) back up the hill. Not ruling it out, however.....

Someone has sugested this netbook: [font="Calibri","sans-serif"][size=2][color="#000000"]ASUS X101CH-EU17-WT 10.1-Inch Netbook[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Calibri","sans-serif"][size=2][color="#000000"][url="http://www.amazon.com/U32U-ES21-Ultra-Portable-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Silver/dp/B00713DPM4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]http://www.amazon.com/U32U-ES21-Ultra-Portable-13-3-Inch-Laptop-Silver/dp/B00713DPM4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top[/url][/color][/size][/font]

[font="Calibri","sans-serif"][size=2][color="#000000"]Anyone had any experience with that one?[/color][/size][/font]

[font="Calibri","sans-serif"][size=2][color="#000000"]Still looking at options... and need to wait and run by my husband....[/color][/size][/font]

[Slappo]

You might be able to get something substantially similar for a little cheaper shopping around. I don't personally reccomend Amazon.com as a place to purchase computers. You might try tigerdirect.com or newegg.com

I found this on tigerdirect if you're comfortable with refurbished. $130 less than what you linked. It's only an 11.6" screen, so it's a pretty small screen, but that means it's also lighter and typically a better battery life. I'd prefer an i3 processor as I'm an intel fan, but the AMD dual core will suit your needs just fine.

[url="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1816427&CatId=4965"]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1816427&CatId=4965[/url]

[fides' Jack]

[quote name='Papist' timestamp='1342642406' post='2456849']
A lot of typing or not, one gets used to the onscreen keyboard.
[/quote]

Really? I never would have thought that, but then again, I've never tried typing on one, so mine is an uneducated opinion. Now I'm really curious about typing on it...

Is it possible to type on those at 100+ wpm?

Edited July 19, 2012 by fides' Jack

[Papist]

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1342656949' post='2456904']
Really? I never would have thought that, but then again, I've never tried typing on one, so mine is an uneducated opinion. Now I'm really curious about typing on it...

Is it possible to type on those at 100+ wpm?
[/quote]

Yes. It is just a matter of getting accustom to it. My dad has one and I get better each time I use it. That said, I do not think I can get as prolific on it as I do with a real keyboard. However, I always hold the iPad with one hand and type with the other. Have not tried to put down and type using both hands. They make external keyboard for iPad.

[Innocent]

[quote name='arfink' timestamp='1342629909' post='2456766']
In fact, that reminds me you should only be getting keyboards and mice with USB cords, since almost no new computers have PS2 ports anymore.
[/quote]

Is that really crucial? After all, [url="http://www.google.co.in/search?q=PS%2F2+to+USB+adapter&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&client=firefox-a"]PS/2 to USB adapters[/url] are cheaply and easily available, aren't they?

[Groo the Wanderer]

[quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1342636344' post='2456805']

Question - If I had a netbook/laptop, and decided I wanted to say, watch a movie or use a CD, can I use an external drive with those things?

[/quote]

yes. you could use a USB connected DVD/CD drive or a USB flash drive