I want to pick up a really cheap laptop computer. Intended use: taking notes at some evening courses and the meetings of a board, and likely some away-from-home word processing. Surely even a significantly ‘obsolete’ computer would be good enough for that? (But I’d really need it to run for three hours minimum on the battery.)
My Q: can anyone recommend a reliable dealer in second hand computers? Or would I be better off looking at refurbished ones direct from a manufacturer?
Thanks!
Oh, another, unrelated question. When a program is running, even when minimized (at least under WinXP) a little box identifying the program and maybe the file appears down in the tool bar. Like right now I have one with the Internet Explorer logo plus “Straight Dope Messa…”)
Is there a way to make those boxes not appear when minimized? If not, can you somehow change what they say? I mean, what’s the point of minimizing the screen when any lookie-loo can see what you just tried to minimize out of sight? (Okay, yeah, sometims I read the Dope at work.)
I know you can turn the tool bar off completely, but I don’t want to lose access to the quick lauch thingies and the clock and so on.
Dell has notebooks, which should perform the functions you are looking for, for $499. They also provide free shipping online. Also, you might be able to pick up a secondhand one for a couple hundred, it just might be a little outdated.
Dell has notebooks, which should perform the functions you are looking for, for $499. They also provide free shipping online. Also, you might be able to pick up a secondhand one for a couple hundred, it just might be a little outdated.
Would you consider a PDA w/ a keyboard? If you can get a older unit with a grayscale screen you should easially run that for more then 3 hrs between recharges.
I’ve actually already got the palm & keyboard, but it’s less than optimal for classroom notes – you can’t see more than a line or two at a time, and it’s hard to jump back to a previous paragraph to add on when the instructor jumps about in his lecture.
I considered an Alphasmart/Dana, too, but on the whole I’d prefer something that in running Windows for the sake of using programs I’m familiar with.
If you’re running Firefox (which you’re not, from the OP), the window will only show what’s on the tab that has focus. So, I usually wind up opening a new tab running Google before I minimize, allowing me to keep whatever else open while I’m away from my desk.
Not that I ever do that sort of thing at work, mind you.
That IS a great deal! I have this mental block about eBay – I keep thinking it’s all individuals selling their stuff, but you’ve reminded me that there are dealers, who do offer at least limited warantees on their goods, which is what I want.
Some programs, such as Outlook, have an option to minimize to the notification area (IE does not). Others, such as Firefox, have an add-on that does this. And I seem to recall running across some shareware program that extends this to all programs.
In case anyone else wants to make their taskbar buttons more…uh…discreet – someone just recommended a freeware utility called Taskbar Button Manager v2.2 which lets you ‘hide’ buttons as well as do other things with them that don’t matter to me.
With XP, you can also leave it to the default method of lumping all browser windows under one button that says “Internet Explorer” all Word documents behind a button labeled “Microsoft Word” and so forth.
Your shoulder-surfer will be able to see that you have a browser running, but they won’t readily see what sites.
Find an ad for a super cheap computer (doesn’t matter what store) like a “clone” model from privately owned stores, bring it to a big-box electronics retailer such as Best Buy, and ask them to offer you something comparable. Say that your upper limit is the price on the ad, even if the computer on the ad is of an unrecognizable brand.
Hmm. Worked for my family twice. Brought ads for cheap computers into Future Shop and they gave up brand-name machines at low prices. Sure, they were refurbished, but they served us well… And how can we complain about a CA$499 laptop?
If you have a magazine like “Computer User” in your area, that has good ads in it. It’s almost entirely ads, which is why it’s free. Look in a net/gaming cafe/room. They often have that kind of magazine at the front counter. There are shops in the area advertising repaired laptops, often with a small warrenty, even.
pay attention to the “hot deals” forums on fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net. They often post good deals on Dell or clearance items at other stores. 2 weeks ago, I found out about a Toshiba Core Duo T2050 with dual layer DVDRW, 80GBHD, 512DDR Ram, 15.4" screen on sale at Best Buy for $599. There was an internet coupon floating around for 100 off any laptop. For some reason, BB decided leave it active on the laptop. You also got a Canon M160 printer free with the laptop. Not bad for $499.00 + tax. The week before that, there was a Gateway for under $400.00
(Okay, yeah, sometims I read the Dope at work.)