Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Apple carries refurbs with new warrantees. I've bought several refurbs over the years, with very good results. Apple.com -- click store tab, look for specials red tag and click on it 802.11 is wireless ethernet. Lets you use wireless router for your internet connection. A real NEED for a laptop, though you may not know it until you try it. Word is the new version of Parallels is going to be waaay cool. It's what let's you run Windoze in a window on your Mac. Why lock yourself into one system when you can have many on one machine. BTW, Parallels lets you run versions of Linux as well -- at the same time as Mac and Windoze. Ric On Dec 12, 2006, at 6:23 PM, Montie wrote: > Thanks a bunch Larry, I hadn't even considered a MAC, but > sounds like maybe I should...I think Leo sent over a link where > you can get them refurbished. Incidentally, I get Bluetooth, but > what the hell is Wi-Fi 802.11g?? Thanks again for the help! > > Montie > -------------------------- > >> On Dec 12, 2006, at 5:12 PM, Monte wrote: >> >>> Need some IT help here...my 7 year old Compaq Presario 1200 >>> is dying a slow and hideous death! When I bought it, I knew a >>> little >>> about the technology but I have not kept up and now, after looking >>> for a new one, I have no idea what they are talking about.Dual >>> this... >>> Core that...Ram x 2 (bluetooth is wireless, right)? >>> >>> Anyway...I'm not too big on all the muti-media stuff so I'm not >>> looking for anything super teched out. I also don't store hundreds >>> of photos on my hard drive...I want CD writng/reading capability >>> so I can store edited pics on CDs? Enough memory to safely run >>> CS...is XP home edition cool? I'm still running ME and recently >>> got a note from Microsoft stating that ME is no longer a supported >>> OS ;-( >>> >>> Help the analog man! Suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks >>> in advance! >>> >>> Montie >> >> You are fortunate in that you can buy an entirely new computer system >> without trying to salvage the bits and pieces of your old stuff. A 7 >> year old Compaq is worth about $15 on the used market. You might even >> have to pay to get someone to cart it away. Right now a low end to >> moderate computer system would have a 2 GHz processor, at least 512 >> Mb of Ram, an 80 Gb disc, and a DVD burning capable optical drive. >> Note that it will have no floppy drive or Zip drive. It will also >> have a Wi-Fi 802.11g capability and probably will also have >> Bluetooth, a short range relatively low speed RF system for >> communicating with keyboards, printers, etc. With a 15" or 17" flat >> panel display it will probably cost about $1000 at Staples or Office >> Max. You might be able to buy one for less at WalMart or Best Buy. If >> you opt for a laptop with the same capabilities, you will probably >> spend a few hundred more. Stay away from the lowest price offerings >> advertised heavily by Dell or Gateway. Not that they are bad >> computers. In fact they are very good for use at the high school >> level. Its just that you will want to upgrade them soon after you buy >> them and the total price will be greater than if you bought what you >> wanted at the beginning. >> >> But if you are going to start afresh, why not switch to a Mac? Most >> Luggers who own them swear by them. >> >> Since Apple adopted the Intel processor in its new computers Mac and >> PC systems have been converging. Using Apple's free Boot Camp >> software or the modest priced Parallel software, any new Mac can run >> Microsoft XP and all the PC programs just as with a dedicated PC. >> Since the same processor is used, the running speeds are comparable. >> But most Mac owners regard this capability just as a backup since Mac >> software is available to perform just about any computer task. In >> addition, the Mac comes with a suite of software (iLife) which makes >> photographic work particularly easy. The sole software exception >> seems to be gaming. PC games still seem to be in the lead. >> >> I use both Macs and PCs at work. There is no comparison between the >> Apple operating system and current Microsoft offerings. Apple's OS >> 10.4.8 on my current computers makes anything on the PC seem clunky. >> We have been using a beta test version of Vista for a number of >> months and unless considerable changes are made before the consumer >> release next year, Microsoft has a long way to go before it >> catches up. >> >> As far as hardware goes, Apple computers cost about the same as PCs >> with similar capabilities. The "premium" price for Mac computers no >> longer exists but the quality remains high. Thank God for marketplace >> competition. The Mac integrates Wi-Fi into the operating system >> better than the PC through its Airport software. All Macs come with >> built in ethernet for high speed plug in connection to the web. >> >> Finally I like the Mac because it connects seamlessly with my iPod >> and it is so cool. >> >> Larry Z > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information