New Laptop Needed

Diane,

Almost as soon as you get used to a new laptop, it's time to get a new one. If you don't do graphics-intensive work, there's no reason not to save money and get one of the Toshiba Satellite 17" from Wal-Mart for $348. If you really hate vista, then wait for Windows 7 to come out in October before picking up a new laptop.

I've had a Dell laptop that I purchased about 7 years ago. I've since removed the XP Pro that it came with and converted it into a VOIP fax server (receives the fax over the internet, then converts it to a PDF and emails it to me).

Pat Hallesy, GRI, e-PRO
Associate Broker
Keller Williams Realty (Residential)
Sperrry Van Ness/Vaaler Real Estate (Commercial)
Fredericksburg VA

Licensed in VA

Diane,

I personally use and suggest the Dell Vostro line of laptops...Great boxes, can be had with xp pro, and the upgrade to win7 (as an aside, great OS, been betaing it on an older dell b130, love it, review to come)..Without knowing your budget or circumstances, here is what i cobbled together, based on past experience wiht Realtors..

Dell Vostro 1520-Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6670 (2.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)...Genuine Windows Vista® Business Bonus-Windows XP Professional ...15.4 inch WXGA Anti-Glare LED Display...4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM...NVIDIA® GeForce™ 9300M GS 256MB...160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive...Integrated 1.3MP Webcam and Digital Mic ...6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery...

909.00

This is a great box, capable of doing everything you need today, and for a few years down the road, will be able to run win7 no problem...This is a business oriented laptop, no additional BS software that will bog the box down, or you'll never use...You will need to load the additional apps, MS Office, AV, etc...It will perform very well for you...

Hope this helps...

Randall Fullerton, IT Consultant & e-PRO Trainer

704.605.4950

www.peritusit.com

Please consider getting a tablet, rather than a laptop. It does everything a laptop (and a desktop) will do, plus:

1. It gives you true mobility when combined with an air card
2. You can write on it: take notes, draw floor plans when inspecting a home, complete & sign contracts, etc.
3. It's a "wow" with buyers and sellers...a point of difference.

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!

Visit Allen's R.E. Agent Blog Here

I've been very happy with my IBM ThinkPad (which is now Lenovo).
The Lenovo tablet has gotten good reviews website.
The tablet is probably not the lightest tablet on the market but reliability is always the biggest factor for me.

I love my Dell Inspiron 1525 and was NOT going to have Vista because of all the negative buzz about it but at very last minute I decided to go for it. I honestly don't know what everyone has been crying about. I haven't had any problems and find only minor differences from XP. That said, I wouldn't refuse XP (most of the new mini's still have XP and that is my next purchase) either and am curious as to what the next OS will bring. Good luck and happy shopping!