Can anyone recommend a laptop?

by **iceman5** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:58 pm

Im looking to buy a laptop. I really dont NEED one, I just want one, so I dont want to spend too much on it. It will be hooked with a wireless router up as a second computer to surf the net. Some of them come with the wirelsss card right?
I'll be watching DVDs when Im traveling etc. I dont need anything too fancy.

Anyone have a recommendation? There are so damn many of them.
So far Im looking at this one
$729 after rebate with a case.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... uct&cmp=++

Any reason why I dont want this one? Do I just need to buy a router (Lynksys?) and Im ready to go?

by **Cactus Jack** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 3:52 pm

by **Nortonesque** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 5:28 pm

by **low dough** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 8:52 pm

That looks fine for a poolside poker toy.
I also agree with the recommedation of more RAM, WindowsXP runs best on 512+
Belkin and D-link are also good routers, but not the best(Linksys).

If you install a wireless router, do not forget to secure it.
Encryption Protoco (WEP) and change the SSID to a non-default setting.
Then password protect it, and no one can leech off your internet connection.
You can ask me for help with this, but reading the manual will tell you everything you need to know.

by **Dumb Snowman** » Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:43 pm

Don't don't don't don't DON'T go with netgear! Lots of people say they're great but mine absolutely sucks. Sure, it works great... IF I'm 6 feet away from the router or whatever. but if I get more than say 20 feet away, my link quality goes down the drain. I'm currently 45 feet away from the router, and my Signal strength is 43% and singal strength at 37%. I've tried getting a new adapter or what not, but it still sucks the same.

by **iceman5** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:11 am

I ended up buying the laptop (oops...Notebook), that I posted the link for.
I increased it to 512MB of RAM. This thing screams right along and Im sure it will do everything I need it for.
My son already loves the DVD player.

Flopmyflush, I did buy the Netgear router before you posted the msg and right now Im sitting outside beside my swimming pool typing this message. Im about 40 feet away and outside and I have no problems. The manuel says it will work 300 feet away. Maybe I'll walk up the street and find out. (not that I'll everneed that much range)

by **TexasKowboy** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:56 am

How does the wireless work? Does it hook up to your phone line or does it call someplace like a celluar phone? If it uses your phone line and all you can get is dial up will it still work?

by **iceman5** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:50 pm

I dont know what I was thinking, my pool is about 80 feet away, not 40.
I have cable internet. Instead of the cable modem connecting to main computer...it now connects to the router.

The router then connects to the computer via an ethernet cord and connects to the laptop over the airwaves

by **Dumb Snowman** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:44 pm

Well hm hm hm... maybe my router just sucks. For me it's not that it's extremely unreliable, but the speed is just nowhere near what cable should be getting. The computer that is currently hooked up to the actual cable modem can normally download files P2P at around 6-90kb/s while this one with the wireless is downloading at around 5-15kb/s. Maybe my computer sucks.... Glad it works for you, though.

by **Nortonesque** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:59 pm

by **Dumb Snowman** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 8:20 pm

Hm... good idea, I'll try it. Ooh I totally hijacked.

by **Cactus Jack** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:27 am

Best Buy? No one ever listens to my advice. :cry:

by **TexasKowboy** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 8:09 am

by **iceman5** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:34 pm

I thought I answered your question Kowboy.

Cactus Jack, I have bought some stuff from NewEgg before, but didnt want to wait this time. Thanks for the suggestion though.

by **Nortonesque** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:33 pm

Can anyone recommend a laptop?

Can anyone recommend a laptop?

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