04-03-2005, 10:07 PM
Alram,Apr 3 2005, 01:58 PM Wrote:Thanks for all of your suggestions.
Here is a bit more info.
On his current computer, a desktop, he uses Open Office, Firefox, Thunderbird, Sygate, and AntiVir all of which is free. His Zen Micro software. That's it. Software is not an issue.
He is a sophomore. He really had a terrible first year in which he failed more than one subject. So far this semester he is running a B average. I want to reward him for his success. Of course the success itself is a reward, but still I would like to do something for him which ties in with school. I know he could use a laptop. Unfortunately, my current income and expenses are such that I can't afford much.
His current computer runs ME. He gets blue screens of death, etc. I could probably fix it for him by buying him XP and installing it. That would be the lowest cost alternative. But , I know a laptop would serve him better. Many nights he spends at a friend's place and if he had a laptop it would be more convenient.
I checked out the Dell D505 Latitude laptop which is currently on sale for around $750 with a free upgrade to 512 RAM from their base of 128 MB. Running XP with 128 MB of RAM is ridiculous imho. 256 RAM would be a minimum with 512 preferable.
I will need to wait until the end of the semester to ensure that he keeps up his grades before buying the box.
So on the issue of losing things--
Before cars came with that alarm that dings, I left my lights on more than once and ran down my battery. If he had some alarm thingie that kept him from leaving the laptop behind that would be cool. I found this laptop alarm
But
1. It costs $69
2. what happens when he loses the transmitter
3. How do I know how well it works?
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As far as the notebook alarms, they work. Can't really say more.
Second, try the D600 w/dedicated video. May be able to get it for around $700 to $800 on sale, or try the 600M. If you're getting him the lattitude, you need to call the dell business sales line (800-BUY-Dell x67613) or the Education purchase line (x88714), as that line is not offered through home sales. Again, would be a good idea to make sure it has a dedicated video card. You really don't want both video and sound sucking from a pentium M proc, and a P4 proc is terrible for a notebook.