MY MOM NEEDS YOUR HELP!

My Mom is thinking about buying a computer (her first for personal use at home) but isn't sure if she should get a laptop or desktop Windows-based machine (getting a Mac is out of the question, so don't even go there). Whatever she gets, it'll primarily be used for surfing the Internet, light record keeping, and basic word processing. Here's where she could use everyone's help:

1. What are the pros and cons of owning a laptop?
2. What are the pros and cons of owning a desktop machine?
3. What are the big picture issues she should keep in mind in either case?
3. Which brands do you trust or which ones have had positive experiences with?
4. Should she make her purchase online, over the phone, or from an actual store?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Dell, Dell, Dell.

Desktop for the novice.

I don't really like having a laptop for home use. I thought a laptop at home would free me from cords and mean that I could work outside. I can't work outside because I can't see the screen in the sunlight. No cord just means that I have never set up a comfortable and organized work space for myself at home. Since I don't (yet) have a wireless network at home, I'm tethered by a cord when I want to be online. Also, I don't like working with the laptop mouse, so I end up using a regular mouse and sitting at a desk or table anyway. In my opinion, the only reason to have a laptop is if you need or want to travel with your machine.

I recommend the Dell desktop, with a thin, flat screen. Those big monitors take up too much space. While a laptop is portable and doesn't take up a lot of space, the mouse is annoying to use (those little buttons or flat spaces that are motion sensitive). I'm a traditionalist, I like the regular desktop models. :o)

I'll preface this comment by stating I have a Dell laptop and love it.

The pros of a laptop/desktop: good portability vs stationary and space, laptops don't take up as much space. The price of a desktop is usually less than that of a laptop.

The cons: speakers aren't as good on a laptop as on a desktop system, the screen is generally smaller than a desktop too.

If you don't use your computer a lot during the day then I might suggest a desktop because it can stay in one place and you don't have to worry about storing it like you would a laptop. However, I love my laptop but I also travel with it and use it during writing appointments, etc.

As far as purchasing over the internet, I'm not sure about that. I mainly used the internet to comparison shop, then I called Dell directly to purchase.

Hope this helps you!

I agree with Melody and Missy, if you don't need to travel, a desktop is the way to go. Less expensive, better mouse control, larger keyboard. I like the flat-panel display suggestion, and if your vision is waning, as is mine, opt for the 17" model. If you get a desktop model, wireless devices are nice, such as a keyboard and mouse and maybe even a printer. Cords get all tangled up.

Most "inexpensive" models at Dell come with a Pentium 4 2.4 GHz processor or faster, which is plenty fast. I would choose 256MB of RAM. An 80 megabyte hard drive should be sufficient. I would buy online at Dell. I had their in-home service, and they were very responsive. If you do not like to fiddle with electronics, that's the way to go.

I bought a Dell desktop a little over one year ago and have been very happy with it. I bought it over the phone, told the rep what my needs were and he made a recommendation. He was able to give me a "life expectancy" on the models based on their ability to be upgraded. The cheapest one had a life of about 2 years so I went with the next level which they estimate has a life of 6 years. Given what I do, I think it will last me longer than that. It was very easy to set up which was an issue for me.

Truly, you take it out of the box, and plug the color-coded cords in. If you aren't going to be "out and about" I see no advantage to a laptop. Plus, I like using a full size keyboard. When I had a laptop, I would plug a regular keyboard into it. If the Dell flat screen monitors are too expensive, I am told you can get one for under $300 at Costco/Sam's. When I was getting my computer they had a special offer for an upgrade to a flat screen for very little money. I kept my old monitor which worked fine but now wish I had upgraded to the flat screen. I think the trick to being happy cruising the internet is the speed of your connection. My computer is very fast, and I am able to have a fast connection just using a telephone line (I did get another line for use with my computer). It is really dependent on your phone service (cable, DSL) vs. your computer. The standard software package that comes with a Dell computer has Word but doesn't have Excel. It does have a similar spreadsheet program that you can import and export files to Excel using it. I highly recommend Dell.

Ok, I know you said don't go there, but I have to go there - GET A MAC LAPTOP!!! OS X is very user friendly, she can get the airport card and go wireless to her favorite coffee shop to surf the internet, email her beloved son, and post comments to the Beliblog! She should buy the technical support option so anytime there is a question or a problem, it is taken care of. I would recommend her going to a store to buy to have that personal connection should something go wrong. Dig it!

if you aren't going to travel with it get a desktop.

You'll get more for your money.
More power, memory, screen resolution, and garphics capability.

Dell is a great company, especially for the not-so hardware savvy types.

However... if you know a lot about computers and don't care much about a huge support deskto call you can save a lot by ordering it custom made.

I'd go with a Dell desktop. The keyboards are easier to use and see, the mouse too, and most importantly, Dell has great SUPPORT, and you get a lot for the money. I'd say a basic dell desktop.

I would suggest a Dell laptop. It's pretty incredible. You log onto the Dell site and can cater a laptop to your needs. They personalize a computer for you- add all the software, etc.- and send it to you within two weeks. You open the package and bingo- you're all set. Dell also has a great service plan that allows you pick up/delivery service if something goes astray. It's additional but well-worth the peace of mind and ease.

I have never had a Dell desktop but assume that they would have a similar "build your own" programs for desktops as well.

Good luck with everything!
Whitney

The Pros: Let me start by saying, I love my lap top!!

• Doesn't take up a lot of space
• It's nice to have with me on trips, so I can watch a dvd on the plane
• If I want to, I can take it with me to various cafe's, and connect via their network.

The Cons:

• The lap top does get a little warm, but I think this is because it's an AMD processor.
• The keyboard,monitor, and mouse are smaller, but that's minor to me.

Brands: I'll agree with just about everyone else, and say Dell.

Finally, I'd go into a few local stores, and check out their prices and see what they have to offer, but I'd most likely order online directly from dell.

a laptop will allow your mom to move the computer around the house with ease. I can't recommend a brand as my last one was from Korea and worked better than anything else I've had (but you'll never be able to find it again). Most important is to NOT load all sorts of junk she'll never need on the hard drive. Keep it clean and simple.

tigerdirct.com
they have a great assortment of laptops and desktops - I have made purchases from them before and have been very happy. I purchased a reconditioned IBM - I also just purchased a fantastic gateway laptop - why does everyone have Dell?

Joe K. meant 80GB, not 80MB. The hard drive should spin at 7200 RPMs, 5400 RPMs will cause noticeable delays when launching programs or finding information. GO DELL!!!! Order on the phone, while online. That way she can see the options as she talks to the rep. The Dell pricing makes them the best deal by far. Their systems are clean, powerful and perfect for what your mother needs. I recommend desktop. If she's not a super-user already, then she likely will not utilize the benefits of a laptop. Therefore, the laptop would be an unnecessary expense with obnoxious 'little' traits (keyboard, mouse...etc).

well for ease of use gotta say a mac. but i have both a mac and a pc laptop and i gotta say they beat any desktop i have ever had. my dell has been a great little machine as has our compaq. if you are not willing to go wireless dsl then really no point in the laptop, but if you can go wireless dsl then you will love the portability!! i sit on my patio often and work in the wonderful spring air!! no problem seeing the screen outside. just my two cents worth!

The desktop is big, takes up lots of space, but offers more computer bang for the buck. The laptop is unbeleivable useful if you need to be mobile. When I had a laptop, I could bring it to libraries for research or to classes to take notes; but, at home, you would have thought the poor thing was on life support with all of the cords connecting it to the printer, the internet, the electrical outlet, and any other accessory...including the regular mouse that I had to add because the little button that served as its mouse was a p.o.s. So, take your pick, you will have complaints about both, and conveniences about both.

This is for Lori and her warm laptop (get your mind out of the gutter, you guys, I'm talking technology): Mine used to get overheated and freeze on me if I used it for long periods of time. To solve that problem, I would set it on an ice pack, with a towel between the pack and the pc. Both the computer and I were much happier.

I ordered my Dell on line; they had a pretty good deal going at the time, free DVD and shipping. I had a Compaq that I bought from Best Buys and had nothing but problems with it so I wouldn't recommend that brand. The Dell has been great so far.

Well, everyone before me has said things that I agree with but I'll just chip in with my 2 cents (if you haven't already decided to buy a computer yet):

1. Like everyone else, I too own a Dell laptop. I think it's great for all of my needs which is basically analyzing data for my lab experiments and networking with other computers, but I primarily got it because of the mobility.

2. Since you're using the computer at home, I'd actually recommend the desktop. Not only is it cheaper, but you can afford more flexibility in customizing the machine.

3. Laptop: smaller, mobile, more expensive. Desktop: larger, flexible, cheaper.

4. Dell is good. People I know who have Toshiba don't have any problems. I've heard nothing but complaints from people owning IBM computers.

5. I've done all my shopping online. It's easier to keep track of deals that way.

I recently purchased a PC for my children. Since they use PCs at school I had to consider long term use and upgrade-ability. I have used a PC for about 15 years and used my mistakes/lessons learned as a template.
-Make sure you can upgrade any PC you purchase. Can you upgrade the cache, storage(10GB maybe fine today but not later), video card, processor, i.e. can you upgrade past what ever Pentium you have.
-The operating system should work the programs you want to use. XP is a large OS and has bugs. Microsoft will be upgrading this OS within the next few years. We choose Win98/ver2 which seems to be an upgradeable os. 2000/pro was my preference but not for my pocketbook at this time.
-I networked the new PC(which was used!) to my XP very fast machine and it works like a charm. I had thought about a notebook for the boys which I could use too. But it was awkward for them to use, because of NO mouse on-board and a sm. screen, plus glare. I will get a laptop for my use later this summer.

The new to us PC was used. As a first PC I think that is the way to go if you can find a reliable source. Since you live in Indy(Mikal) and work on the northside of town. Check out "Jack" just west of college on 106th. His prices rock and has everything a person could want. Great info and tech support.