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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Terminal Illnes...my computer has it....HELP!!!
Help amigos...my old computer who has been nursed back to health too many times is on it's way to PC heaven after years of loyal service. Now all you
nerds out there...I need some advice here...I'm "peso strapped" at the moment and would like some suggestions of how and what computer to look
for....is used OK...I do alot of photo work and need space and some speed would be nice too. Anyone out there have a used model I could buy that would
serve our needs? thanks nomads...
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Cheap Computers ?
IF you're interested in the BEST Buy and can order from U.S. sources, www.tigerdirect.com, my personal favorite for years, has both Desktop and Laptop Factory Refurbished computers with XP Pro Operating Systems
starting at below $200 w/o monitor.
Over the years, I've bought numerous Refurbs from them with no problems. The last two being an IBM Netvista Desktop for $199 and an HP D530 for the
same price. The HP seems to be the better deal of the two. Both are in service and working well.
Coincidentally, the latest issue of either PC World or PC Magazine (I take both) has an article rating Tigerdirect.com and NewEgg.com as the two BEST
computer vendors and resellers.
They have great deals on New Computers, too, starting around $300 w/o monitor. Win XP still available. You can avoid Vista. That's another bonus.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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I doubt I'll ever buy another computer that isn't a laptop. Too versatile with almost none of the drawbacks that laptops used to have (lack of
storage, slower CPU speed, lack of interfacing connectors). Of course, I dont mind lugging around a 17inch one around; some may. So, monitor size isnt
a problem for me.
Tigerdirect is a great source. Avoiding Vista is also good advice.
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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shari, you need to do what we did as we are also peso straped, get a computer from Telmex, $0.00 pesos down and monthly payments on your phone bill.
There is really a huge selection and we also found that that way you get the top of the line.
I would recomend this one for you and its only $200 pesos per month, at todays rate you are looking at about $18 dollars.
It comes complete with everything you might need and a lot more.
Procesador Intel® Celeron® 215
Disco duro de 80 GB y 1 GB de RAM
Quemador de CD
Windows Vista Starter
Monitor CRT de 17”
1 año de garantía
Con cargo en tu Recibo TELMEX:
13 mensualidades de $ 528
24 mensualidades de $ 299
36 mensualidades de $ 211
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Tigerdirect is a great source. Avoiding Vista is also good advice. |
Why is that?
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Mr.Bill...you may be right on that...why have all the clutter of a big computer...do others agree that a laptop is the way to go? What are the
drawbacks...can you get those on that tiger site too? hmmm...thanks all for the advise...in informed decision is a good thing!
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
Member Is Offline
Mood: words cannot describe...
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We have a Dell "desktop replacement" with 17" monitior, Inspiron model. It's fantastic. We travel with it and use it to watch DVDs; heck you can
even hook up cable to it for TV. Lots of storage space, too. But, it ain't cheap...might be some refurbs out there, though.
[Edited on 2-11-2008 by bajabound2005]
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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capitolkat
Senior Nomad
Posts: 510
Registered: 3-9-2006
Member Is Offline
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Laptops
The last two of my computers have been laptops after HP desktops, Dell desktops, and I'm about to get a new sony varios with biometric security
system. I'l never buy another desktop as the newer laptops have all the storage capacity you could need and the speed with 3 plus gigs is great- carry
it everywhere-
Like Dell, but am willing to try Sony due to lots of support from associates who think they are the best ever and they all had Dell before sony.
Can't help on the refurbished question-
Life is too short to drink bad wine
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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telmex has a wide selection of laptops also if that is what you decide on.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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baja-spirit
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 1-11-2008
Member Is Offline
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I have a new dell laptop and I like the laptop aspect but I hate Vista.
I really think you would be happier with a computer that doesn't run Vista.
That's just my opinion or should I say my 2 cents...
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Opinion from my computer Guru son--------
"Vista - don't like it myself, wish they never put it out, but they did. To shy away from it is a mistake though. XP wont be supported by Microsoft
(it's only supported now in terms of patching security holes) and you will be out of date and dealing with having to upgrade to Vista within a year."
barry
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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The three major drawbacks are:
1-not as secure from theft as most desktops. You will eventually be forced to leave it in your car at some point. Make allowances for this in your
vehicle.
2-not very user friendly for upgrading or replacing a specific device that might fail.
3-still a slight premium in price over similar capabilites in a desktop. But the difference has come way down.
Roberto, I assume you mean the "avoiding Vista" part. No first hand experience. It's just what the Windows savvy people I know have told me. I have
always liked XP, anyway.
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meme
Senior Nomad
Posts: 756
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: San Felipe,BC
Member Is Offline
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Shari,
I have a new HP laptop on it's`way (with my daughter) as we speak. She already has one just like this one & says she dont find dealing with Vista
such a Big problem but it is different than we are all used to. I will keep you posted on my experiences with it as it goes. Have some friends that
have Vista & say it just takes getting used to it. Others say "No WAy" so order a Dell with XP as they don't like what they hear about Vista.
So guess it's a "to each his own" issue?
meme
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gibson
Banned
Posts: 250
Registered: 2-6-2007
Member Is Offline
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laptop for all reasons stated above
Toshiba ... the 'toyota' of laptops
vista is fine for your application (as long as you have at least 1GB RAM)
avoid DELL imo
enjoy & salut
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Acuity
Nomad
Posts: 195
Registered: 5-26-2005
Location: Comox, BC, and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Craving sleep!
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Is it still the case that you can bring laptops into Mexico without problems at customs, but not desktops?
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baja-spirit
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 1-11-2008
Member Is Offline
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Acuity, we have hauling our PC's down to Baja for the last 10yrs or so. Never had a problem. They would be in the cab right behind the driver seat.
I now have a laptop we take but hubby still hauls his PC down each time. No problemo...
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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I think you will be lucky if you can find any recently refurbished units running XP.
Like Mr Bill said, Vista has problems.
I love owning a laptop with all the groovey stuff you can do with it. I have a big HP unit and despite it's thickness and weight it has performed
pretty well. I regularly "Baja test" it. 
The downside is the inability to upgrade internal hardware features. You can't just pop in more ram or a bigger HD. That means if you need more
memory storage you need external sticks or hardware. That's no problem if you don't mind stuff hanging off the sides of your unit.
Oh yeah, when you get a new unit, make sure it's got DVD "burn" capability, not just "read" capability. DVDs hold much more data than CDs.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bajamatic
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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Do yourself the biggest favor you possibly can with regards to a personal computer and get a Mac - you will never go back - I promise. Even my old
man (a corporate financial VP) has made the switch and can't believe its as good and/or easy as it is. Since the release of the ultra thin model, you
will be able to buy powerbooks and substantial discounts online - I suggest a used or refurbished one from Ebay.
yuletide
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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I have both PC and Laptop. Mrsfish is Apple.
In your situation I would recommend staying away from Apple. They often change their systems and do not support old applications.
I have seen and used your current PC.
There are advantages to having a work station as you do: Think about your use. Do you want to change your use? Laptops are very handy and do not take
up as much space. New ones have good screen size and excellent resolution. 1 gig Ram is essential for speedy processing of images. Vista is ok for
your use, I have it, experience a bit more lockups but not a lot more than with XP. I like XP but most new puters are bundled with Vista. Laptops are
easier to drop, misplace, spill on, get lost or stolen.
Computers like yours are relatively easy to upgrade and add hardware. I am not suggesting that you upgrade your current PC as it is old and really
outdated. However the sort of PC that you have now is easy to add parts to, much easier than a laptop. You can get more computer for your money going
with a PC as you are not paying for the portability.
Parts are not very expensive for a land unit and the Tiger Direct resource is excellent. You always run the risk of damage to a laptop in remote,
dusty, salty enviorments and you might want to consider that as part of your mix.
The advantages of a laptop are of course it's portability. There are however batteries that need to be charged and replaced over time and it is hard
to "upgrade" the hardware.
I have a Toshiba Satellite for the road, it's my second and it is relatively bullit proof. The new Toshiba Satellites come with Vista, which I too
have problems with but not insurmountable. I doubt that with your use that it would be a big problem for you. The Satellite also comes with a dual
core processor and does really well finding and hooking up to wifi hotspots. This is a wonderful feature on the road.
We use our laptop as a DVD player on the road with powered external speakers and really like it. The resolution of the DVD is finer on a computer as
the reader processes data faster than a DVD/TV set up.
Power. Computers are sensitive to power shifts and it is important to have a good surge protector for either a laptop or PC. If you have a PC it would
just stay attached to your computer. Clean your PC fans, filters etc often, you are in a dusty enviorment with pets. Heat is the enemy of computers.
You are in a dusty and salty enviorment with pets and it is very important to "blow out" dust and detritis that accumulates on fans, filters etc and
this is particularly true of computers that are stored on the ground. Heat and dust enemies of computers.
Ultimately you will probably want both a laptop and PC. Being on the road for 4-6 months of the year I have started to use my laptop as my sole
computer.
Sharks is right about burn capacity and storeage. I have purchased and now religiously use an external HD, about $100, to back up my laptop. I had the
horrible experience of my first toshiba burning itself up in Arizona and had to hire a guru to save what he could off my HD. Make it a habit of
backing up your PC and Laptop on an external hard drive. You might want to purchase a high capacity external hard drive now in order to insure that
your current files etc. will not be lost in the transition.
Programs:
I use Windows Live OneCare to automaticaly download fixes and upgrades to my computer. Easy to use and takes care of many maintenance issues
automatically, reminds me to periodicaly download files to external HD. It comes automatically on a trial basis with a new Toshiba Satellite. I
researched laptops before buying and the characterization of the Toshiba Satellite as a Toyota is a good one. There are laptops with more bells and
whistles, but the Toshiba is a reliable workhorse.
I also use a good spyware (Webroot Spy Sweeper)and seperate virus program (Windows LIve OneCare) to protect from unwanted guests.
Knowing you and your use I would suggest that you bite the bullit and get the best you can get as you will tend to have this for a long time. Get as
much HD space as you can with as much RAM as you can afford. You will be amazed at the amount of HD you will use over time. And don't forget to invest
in a high capacity external hard drive to keep your files secure off you computer. At some time you will need this and will kick yourself heartily if
you have not backed up your files. We are all one spilled cup of coffee or drop of our laptop away from wiping out our hard drives.
Hope this helps.
Iflyfish
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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In regards to Bajamatic's comments about Apple. Mrsfish loves her Apple and when it comes to image processing, there is no better. I do however watch
her needing to buy new computers frequently, three now, when Apple moves to a new operating system and no longer supports prior releases.
I have found on the road that I have fewer problems connecting to the internet with my Toshiba Satellite than Mrsfish does with her Apple.
I don't want to rekindle the Apple/PC wars here and those who have Apples seem to love them, Mrsfish and her buddies sure love theirs. I can tell you
that traveling accross the country with Mrsfish and her Apple that it was difficult to find locations for service, support etc. Here in the Beaverton
area we have three Mac Stores readily available, not so around the country. Mexico?????
Iflyfish
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