A bit technical

[redheadaussie]

I am about to buy a notebook/laptop.
Wondering if anyone has recommendations or commiserations (LOL!)  I am thinking of buying one when I get to USA as most here in the Land of Oz are very expensive.

[teko]

I get my internet from verizon, my phone company. With my laptop, I always have my phone so I can get it no matter where I am. Also, several areas have wi-fi. With that you can connect free too. I have had both comcast internet and aol. I so prefer it thru the phone company and it is just as fast.

[ChitChatNine]

There are no options for pay as you go Internet to the best of my knowledge at least last year when I tried to find similar.   All the on-the-go laptop connectors require 1-2 yr contracts and are pricy.  You can use his wireless from the house, go to places with free Internet like the library, pay a nominal fee at Starbucks or McDonalds and Panera Bread are options for Internet acess.

I ended up with 2yr AT&T laptop connector and qute happy, but it's pricy and not for your short term need.

C~

[Cherie762]

hint do not go to best buy, cause they arent, and have a not so good rep for lap tops. I got Intel Premium, windows vista love it . my lap top is 4 sure my favorite thing i got a flsh drive for a gift its got 16 extra gigs of memory. and I have downloaded tons of stuff.Its handy cause you can load stuff into the flash and use it on any computer. we have dial up connection. best option here they combine our telephone, tv cabel and internet access, one company kinda has a monopoly though I wish there was more options

[redheadaussie]

Thanks guys! Most of our notebook/laptops here cost around $600 right up to $2000! Ridiculous!
I guess my next question is; how do I go about getting internet connection? Darling man will more than likely be happy for me to go on his, but I prefer to have my own connection.  Considering I am only there the 9 weeks, a month to month would be best.
  So who would give a good deal?

[ChitChatNine]

I recently bought a small "Netbook" .. the Acer Netbook with the 10" screen and 7hr battery .. but there is no external hard disk drive, so probably not great for one's true laptop needs, but terrific for on-the-go checking on e-mails, etc.  I run an AT&T laptop connector for Internet anywhere (it's a monthly subscription) and it works great with it along with anti-virus software.  It's just a tad too small for everyday for me, but terrific to take on vacation, etc.

[caregiver222]

There are lots of bargains. I bought a laptop with a large screen, but I have found it is very heavy to lug around and the larger screen drains the battery very quickly. I like the Apple best of all but they are way overpriced. The technology has matured and almost anything you buy will probably provide satisfaction. Walmart has had some terrific buys.

[heatherlynn22]

my hubby actually just built/bought my laptop (should be here in a few days!!! WOOT) if you go to HP home and home office store online you should be able to find GREAT laptops that are reasonably priced. mine has everything i could possibly need (i start college next month so everything i need for that is in there).


Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
AMD Sempron Processor SI-42
1GB memory
160GB hard drive
NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G
Optional integrated webcam, discrete graphics, HDMI port, and Blu-ray

Wireless-G card
Integrated microphone
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW

that's some of the stuff that's in my laptop and it didn't cost more than $350.

[teko]

You can get a real good deal here, but make sure your not paying for a name, like Apple, when other brands are just as good. Dell makes a good one for instance and make sure it does what you need on a day to day basis.  If you are not in the corporate world and use it mostly for email, banking and roaming for example. I have an hp desk set up and then a dell laptop which comes in handy because I can take it anywhere and still get internet access.  Happy hunting!  You might look into Sams, Walmart or Cosco as opposed to Sears, or Office Depot type stores.