I bought a new computer

[Droopy]

And I spent about five hours getting everything the way I want it on there. I built my last two computers so they were free of all that crap that gets loaded on them if you buy a computer at a retail store. This is a laptop and I don't know how to build those. So I spent a good chunk of time deleting, updating, and downloading to get it right. I think I'm going to enjoy having a laptop. I think I'm going to have to buy a mouse, however. This touch pad dealio is messing me up.

[backwoodsbob]

1. I HATE touchpads

[struggle4progress]

2. whatcha get?

[Droopy]

5. I got a Dell, dude!

Intel core 2 duo processor, 4GB memory, 320GB hard drive, 17" HD monitor, extended life battery (up to 7 hours), DVD RW, Windows Vista 64 bit, and I got a break on a cable router as a part of the purchase.

[Deja Q]

6. Not bad!

Even better if the 320GB drive is 7200RPM...

Good choice on battery.

For Vista, I wouldn't use anything except the 64-bit edition (I've my gripes, but it IS rock solid stable due to control over allowing only authorized, signed drivers, and I kinda do miss the multimedia features...). You've noted my gripes in the past, but it's unfair not to mention the good points. I am fighting cynicism...

Is it a wireless cable router? Either way, get Kaspersky Internet Security for complete antivirus protection. Or Trend Internet Security, but I think Kaspersky has the edge, and more firewall control too...

[Droopy]

8. Yes, it is a wireless router

I haven't had a TV for a long time. I haven't really wanted one in the past, but now I find that I'd like to have one. Because of restrictions here at my condo association I'm limited to one cable outlet. So now the laptop takes up a hell of a lot less room, I can take my computer anywhere in the house, and I can have cable TV. I simply didn't have room for both a TV and a computer when I had my old, clunky desktop. it would have been cumbersome at best.

[Deja Q]

10. Definitely go for Kaspersky, and use the wireless router's security abilities to

lock down specific MAC addresses; this makes it hard for others to leech into the connection that you are paying for. Unless you want to share, but I wouldn't advise that either...

For TVs, get a 32" 1920x1200 TV (1080p) and use it as an occasional second monitor for your laptop. When I bought my TV, I got the 1366x768 model (720p, but supports 1920x1200 - at 1080i). 1080i SUCKS because it's interlaced; the text looks jagged and choppy. If you're only going to play games or surf web sites, then you can turn on ClearType and it'll become passable in appearance (albeit fuzzy), but 1080p is becoming the norm anyway and interlaced displays suck.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. While restricting MAC addresses help it can easily be spoofed

It will stop a more casual user but MACs can be spoofed easily. The best protection is a WPA or WPA2 with at least a 25 digit complex password. If you have a 63 bit random password and WPA2 you are maxed out on security. Anything over 25 characters makes the brute force cracking time long enough to be unrealistic to crack unless you have many, many years to wait.

[Deja Q]

17. Easy to spoof? And only 25 character passwords, complex with symbols?

Ugh. I will NEVER go wireless then.

And if people did 25+ character passwords, they'd just use "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as the password anyway, and might I add I didn't even have to google that to get the proper spelling either... Brute force just became easier again! :rofl:

[struggle4progress]

7. If the current set-up doesn't support some useful touchpad features like two-finger scrolling,

you may be able to download some drivers that enable those features -- or if not, you may be able to swap out the touchpad

I always hated touchpads but recently bought a mac and the multi-finger touchpad operations seems to be just as convenient as a mouse -- they may not be standard on PCs yet, but people have apparently worked on the issue some, and a quick search of the inter-tubes may yield some useful goodies

[Deja Q]

9. Ah, yes, the Macbook... I have to disagree on this one big-time, oddly...

I've a Macbook Pro. (2.4GHz, the $1999 entry model - the $2500 model's souped up kit's added power doesn't make enough of a dent in benchmarks, and 4GB RAM kits are $60 on their own, but I digress...)

It is awkward and different, and the only reason we find them tolerable is the larger size of the touchpad. But it's still a touchpad, and some PC laptop models have that little strip that allows scrolling. The Macbook does not; so to click down and glide the finger to scroll in a window - that's as tedious as eating a possum pot pie.

Additionally, and I might be incorrect here, but I can't double-tap to simulate a double-click. I have to press down and click on the touchpad twice. I worry that's going to break and I'd rather not use Best Buy's warranty unless it's really necessary and I am not a touchpad kind of guy (I'd be doing a lot of design work so a mouse is better for me from the start)...

:D

[struggle4progress]

11. I don't have to click and glide: I just use two fingers to scroll, instead of one to move the arrow

It's not as fast as every scroll wheel but it's just as fast as some

[Deja Q]

12. Interesting... I knew I was wrong!

:woohoo: :party:

I will try that out; thanks for the tip! :)

[RushIsRot]

3. I'm stuck with using the touch pad because of space considerarions

here at the nursing home where I'm recuperating from a heart attack, but at least I've got my computer back and I'm having a ball surfing in tne mammer I did at home.

I've got a mouse, a large monitor and a full-sized keyboard attached at home.

[hellbound-liberal]

13. Hey, RushisRot! Good to see you back!

Check your inbox for a PM.

[Deja Q]

4. I too loathe touchpads! And the preloaded fluff helps keep the costs down...

(I'd otherwise rant about all the downsides, but the upside is a lowered cost to the customer because of those subsidy preloads...)

I'm going to miss homebuilding too... but notebooks/laptops are at the point that they are just as powerful and are designed for less energy use. It's a green thing. :)

If you have the dough, try out a Logitech G5 or G9. Sold for "gaming", you will find the higher DPI and ergonomic style to be a real boon for your wrist. (I hate it when companies ramp up "great for gaming!!!!!" and all that. Oh, it's great for games but the power in the higher end laptops makes calculations of any sort get done more quickly... people are more often sold on labels, so some good brands or models get overlooked in the process.)

[Roon]

14. Yeah, my next computer will be a laptop with wireless internet access

That would be SWEET!! Iphones are kick ass too,i used my brother's for a little while when he was in town. If I had an Iphone I would never, ever be bored again.

[underpants]

15. You have a computer?

Cool!