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Buying a "Laptop" computer

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Bmoore1129, 2007/01/15.

  1. 2007/01/15
    Bmoore1129

    Bmoore1129 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I could use recommendations for purchase.

    What I do not care about:
    a. Playing games of any type.
    b. Playing movies or TV shows.

    What I do with it:
    a. Internet browsing and email
    b. using MS Office XP (Word and Excel)
    c. Genealogy software w/lots of pictures.
    d. Writing CD's and DVD's (Backups etc.)

    I want to operate it wireless and networked with my PC sharing files and DSL connection. 15.4" screen. Would like it not to be preloaded with an operating system or programs. (Blank HD). I'll buy my own OS.

    Can I do that or am I stuck with some branded thing preloaded with a bunch of junk I'll never use?

    Thanks
     
    Bmoore1129,
    #1
  2. 2007/01/15
    Chiles4

    Chiles4 Inactive

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    Most likely yes. Dells come loaded with so much ****, my Mom's Dell acts like a spyware-infested computer. But's it's not spyware, it's just gobs of Dell ****.

    When I look for laptops, I stick to looking at Dell, HP, and Toshiba. I mostly look for who's got the best extended warranty. I bought a 3-year extended warranty on my daughter's laptop for about $300 and it already paid off as her LCD died - which I hear is a common occurrence.

    It's hard to make a recommendation based on your needs. Untold numbers of laptops would fit the bill but I've never heard of a laptop being sold without an OS loaded. You can always delete all the vendor-specific junk or take a vanilla XP CD and do your own OS load.

    Gary
     
    Chiles4,
    #2


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  4. 2007/01/15
    Bmoore1129

    Bmoore1129 Geek Member Thread Starter

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    I wouldn't mind doing a format right out of the box. Are there any that come with the Full XP install disk rather than the restore disk?
     
    Bmoore1129,
    #3
  5. 2007/01/15
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    A friend bought a Compaq Presario LapTop a few years ago. It came with both restore disks and a XP Home CD. He did (well ... :rolleyes: ... had me do) a clean install. I didn't bother to check for drivers on the included CD's but went to Compaq's website and downloaded the current versions. Installling drivers on a LapTop is a must. If not, a lot of functions will not work, such as function keys and touch pad.

    Compaq is now HP but you never know what is included until you ask.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #4
  6. 2007/01/15
    darich

    darich Inactive

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    there was a story in the uk recently about a guy who bought a laptop but didn't agree with the conditions of use of the OS. In other words he didn't want it. he wrote to whoever he bought the laptop from and although i'm not sure what he did or what the response letter was, he was refunded the price of the OS because MS knew he hadn't activated it because of updates or something.

    anyway...he was refunded because he didn't use it....so if you buy a laptop it may be worth checking if it's possible to do what that guy did
     
    darich,
    #5
  7. 2007/01/15
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    charlesvar,
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