Need to buy a laptop for the church. Suggestions?

[Critters2]

The trustees have told me to go buy a laptop to be used for powerpoint presentations, showing dvds, etc in worship. I had been using my own, and they said that needed to stop. I'm allowed to choose one, but I'm not much of a tech-geek. So, I thought I'd ask you guys.

The budget line from which this would come has $1100.00 in it, but I can't use all of that. And with the economy what it is, I want to be a good steward of any church money I spend. So, I'm looking for fairly inexpensive but able to do the task at hand, which is mostly, as I say, powerpoint and the like.

My own laptop is a Gateway (a pretty garnet red machine, and the fact that I call a computer "pretty" tells you why I shouldn't be making these decisions on my own!). It works well, so maybe I'll get another like it. But I thought I'd get some opinions from people who know more than me. Which means pretty much everyone!!

Thanks for any thoughts!

Critters
recovering luddite

[Resuscitated Ethics]

1. For longevity get a desktop

Years ago my church did the same thing: the laptop motherboard crapped out in three years from all the hooking/unhooking of the VGA cable from the rear display jack. I understand that church money is only available almost never so buy durable and expect to use for at least five years. I recommend a desktop: for the same money you can get more everything. Also try to buy an outboard DVD player as well-- it's easier to do the invisible switching between sources. DVD on laptop is still crappy IMO, plus you don't want your 'underwear' showing when trying to cue up a fat powerpoint show and a DVD clip from the same video source.
Heard of this guy? Good tech advice http://www.churchsoundcheck.com/ Mostly audio oriented but more video advice all the time.

With laptops you get the convenience of portability but that is the curse as well. Everything is smaller and flimsier with so much wasted engineering to make it all fit in an envelope. Buy a big box brimming with AV luxury for the same money.

[Critters2]

2. A desktop. I don't know why that wasn't even considered. It does make more sense.

Thanks!

[SacredCow]

3. Agreed on the desktop for this application...

It doesn't sound like you really need the portability and mobility of a laptop for this application.

[Critters2]

4. Yep, that's the direction I'm going to go. Thanks!

And I always love your sig!