Re: Laptop Help???
-Check out Dell computers. They have a great warranty and can often fix problems over the phone. This becomes especially important if you are mobile. Talk with their rep and be specific about your needs, I have found them very customer-focused, and they will be able to guide you to the system you need...
-Do you have a clear picture of what you plan to use the computer for? Do you plan to burn DVD's, play games (keep family members including any relatives from other families in mind), work on any graphics such as pictures from a digital camera? Keep in mind that even Internet usage means a lot of graphics and that requires a bigger kick in the computer to allow them to load at a reasonable rate...so don't go too cheap! Get as much RAM memory as you can afford and a decent graphics card, as they will make a world of difference in performance.
-If your desktop computer has a USB port...use a "memory stick" to transfer your data between laptop and desktop.
-Consider using an Internet-based email account such as GMail. You will be able to access your email from anywhere an Internet-ready computer is available, such as libraries and shopping mall kiosks, and there will be no need to transfer the messages, as you will be able to access them from both your laptop and desktop.
-Wi-Fi refers to Wireless Fidelity (not some "High Fidelity" system like some audiophiles sometimes think..
). Basically, government agencies, commercial organizations including McDonalds...(check out htttp://www.mcdonalds.com/wireless/find_hotspot.html), and Internet cafe's set up "Hot Spots" around the country (along with a few individuals who have wireless networks that have not been secured). You can get a listing from
http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/ for hotspots in your area. Think of it as a 'radio signal' from which you can access the Internet using your laptop computer with a PCMCIA (PCI) wireless adapter plugged into your laptop. Access is free, but keep in mind that security can be an issue, so be careful what you use it for...
Happy computing!
Al