wilkes

Thanks all- and thanks to you redneck. Waiting on 7 might be my best option. In the meantime, I will get out and start looking around at what is available. Appreciate all the help and advice.

My shop is in Wilson, NC and yes I do sell laptops.

If your only concern with your present laptop are the hinges check this site

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-In...

the hinges are $13.99 with free shipping, a local shop should be able to install for about 1 hr labor, which would put total repair around $75

Check locally for some one that can do the repair before ordering

Repairing you computer might buy enough time to see how windows 7
is going to be. (I have be testing the beta version for a couple of weeks and other than items being moved or renamed the only problem has been availablity of device drivers, but the jury is still out)

redneck:When my personal computer was a dimension, I always had a hard time understanding the dialects. XPS customers have a different number to call, I've used it a couple of times on my new XPS desktop and never had a problem understanding.

The laptop with the bad dvd drive I mentioned is a business computer. I haven't called any on this issue, I'm using chat to get this fixed. Dialect isn't so much of a problem in chat :)

dinker: I would go with a local shop. The only reason I've gotten a dell for business or personal use was because I found a deal. Even my new XPS desktop gave me troubles because I needed a unique set up on it and I had troubles getting the new video cards to work. A local shop would have set it up exactly the way I wanted it. As for the megs, gigs that you asked about. I would get as much as you can afford. For memory, I would go with at least 4GB. Hard drive, if you just research on the internet you won't need much but it's cheap. You might decide to store music or pictures on it some day. I'm sure you can get 500GB without spending too much money. So far as I'm aware, all laptops come with wireless wifi card built in. Hope this helps.

Thanks all- redneckhillbilly- what city is your shop located. My primary home is Wilkes, but I travel to other areas as well. Maybe your shop is not out of the question- do you sell laptops?
As for research, I am licensed in NC and in SC as a realtor.
I have been working on the coast for the last couple of years, but as you know, the real estate market is very slow at this time, so I am in WIlkes (born and raised here) at this time.
I use a dell (which the hinge is broken on- still usable, but irritating.)
I bought an HP a few months back, but my DH uses it, and I don't like the keyboard on it as well as the dell.
Also- a few agents in my office in SC bought Dell's from the Dell sight. They paid for new equipment, and in a couple of cases, they were sent refurbished dells. That is the main reason I hesitate to purchase another Dell.
No particular research, I do a lot of real estate related stuff- email etc.
Research properties etc.
Thanks for your help. I am open to suggestions. I suppose the main thing that I know nothing about is the megs- gigs-rams- etc. . All that techy stuff is boring to me--LOL.
Wireless vs wired? I go from place to place and I use an aircard in some areas-- work from two separate offices when I am working. At this time. I am just kicking back in Wilkes working on rental properties etc.
However, when the market picks back up, I suppose I will have to get back to work in the office, which means open houses, and being in lots of different situations. Thanks again!!

UNC
were you able to get someone you could understand?
A good'ol boy like me has trouble understanding some of the dialects

unc417
I agree
Like I said before BUY LOCAL, from a shop you can trust
You'll end up with less head aches, and maybe spending less money
Especially if you are not all that familiar with whats available

I don't know the local Wilkes shops, but I believe there should be some one nearby, mine is 200 miles away, too far away to try and sell you something.

You could also try the local shops like express computer clinic that advertises on gowilkes. I recently bought a dell, thinking I could save a few bucks because I found a good deal and I was on a tight budget. However, it came with a bad dvd drive and tech support is making me jump through all kinds of hoops, I still havent been able to make them agree to have a technician come and replace it (it has a on site warranty). I know the owner at the express shop is very fair, if I had this problem on a computer from there I have no doubts he would take care of it quickly for me.

You can get some good prices a the shows, but keep in mind that the sellers are there to sell and next week (when you have a question or problem) they will be in Reno or China some where.

Before I could make a recomendation, I would need more infomation
1)What type of research do you do?
2)How much data do you collect and how is it processed and stored.
3)Are there additional computers on a LAN that you need to comunicate with
4)Do connect to the internet Wired or Wirless?
5)Do you have programs associated with your research if so what are their requirements?
6)How important is speed? (what are you using now)
7) what size video display would you prefer?
8)You mentioned that your hearing was not good do you need a headset?
9)what type of word processor are you using

there may be more questions but this is a start

I am gonna present the question in another way. If money were no object, what type of laptop would you tech savvy folks be interested in buying. (Of course money is always the main object- lol- but I have a connection for some good prices in a few weeks at a tech show.)
I just don't know what to look for in a laptop. For you guys and gals that understand all this stuff- I want the most memory- gigs rams - or whatever it is that makes for a good system. (Hey- I know nothing more than how to punch the keys, and do the research I want to do.)
Please help me out and tell me what to be shopping for.Thanks
I just want a really good standard laptop.Not looking for the slim line or the biggest screen- so any ideas are appreciated.

Keep em coming guys. I own a dell. I also own a HP- the HP has the vista system on it- the dell has the Windows XP on it.
My partner uses the HP- I use the dell. I have broken a hinge on the dell.
I can still use it- but it shuts down every time I breathe hard. This is so irritating, and It would probably cost more to repair it than it is now worth. It is an Inspiron 6400.
As much as I love the dell I use, I am a little leary of ordering another. I have a co-worker who ordered a new dell, paid for what was supposed to be a new dell, and as it turns out, they got a refurbished dell.
SO- what are recommendations for great laptops- you guys got any advice?

Acer is the top rated Laptop now.

Top of the line Dell, HP or Toshiba are all good lap tops, if you are interested in ecomony check Acer.

Most computers come with pre-instaled programs however some of them are "Trial versions" and don't work after 90 days.

Which ever brand you chose by from a local dealer that you trust and can also service the equipment No Mail Order

I am in the market to purchase a new laptop. I respect the opinion of many of you on the tech site, and hope you will help me make a good choice. I have owned a Dell and an HP.
I am not into technology as such, but want a great laptop. I do a lot of research. I am not into the games. but a laptop is a major part of my day. Can you guys advise me please on what would be a good choice? And how about the programs? Does any programming come already installed these days.
I am in my mid 50's, with a serious hearing loss- so I do not watch tv. A big source of research and entertainment for me is my computer. Thanks for any advice.