A few computer questions??

Since having my problem the other day I’ve been thinking about getting a new computer. Found out today that I can get a nice discount on Dell’s thru the company I work for. I’m thinking about a laptop versus a PC. I figure I can down load all the exsisting files I want to keep from my exsisting PC into my lap top and then defrag and re-install from scratch all my software into my current PC and leave it at home as a base unit, and take my laptop with me where ever I go and network into my home unit as needed while away from home.

Questions are:

XP -v- Vista operating system? I’ve been told that the new Vista is going to be a big memory hog and if I go with that I should also get a double core processor for more memory in my laptop. Any comments or opinions?

Any suggestions on which model laptop I would want to look at? I think I would prefer a larger screen because of my eyesight being less than 20/20.

Will I have any problems transfering info or files between the new system, be it the XP or Vista, and the ME system I currently have in my PC at home? This is obviously important.

I am currently running the Microsoft Office 2000, Small Business software. Will I be able to get the same program set up for the XP or Vista system depending on which ever one I decide on?

Will I be able to easily transfer and share files between my new laptop and my old PC if the software is different?

Thanks in advance!!

I would suggest XP Pro…no need for vista…IMO

Based on your needs and depending on price you don’t really need a Dual Core Proccesor but they are pushing them for a minimal upgrade fee or even free sometimes.

For Memory 512mb RAM would be ok but 1 gig of RAM would be better you really don’t need any more, you could go with 2 gig RAM which is overkill IMO.

I really like the 17″ wide screen monitors very nice on the eyes great for movies video, downside they are little bigger and weigh more and the battery life will be a tad less but still worth it IMO.

You will be able to transfer your documents/files back forth between the computers in varius ways.

As far as Microsoft Office go’s I don’t know if you can install it on 2 computers and you may not even have the install disk to do it anyway.

Depending on what programs in the suite you need they sometimes have deals on a stripped down version or you could just get the whole Office suite in your package.

Open Office is another option it’s free and will just about everthing Microsquises will do.

With just a quick look at the Dells the Inspiron E1705

looked good 17″ screen a little heavy but nice and the Inspiron E1505m which is 15.4″ screen.

I’m sure some Dell owners will be chiming in soon with other opinions.

Good Luck…

I pretty much agree with Pierbridge. Get XP Pro. With regards to Office… It used to be legal to have your software installed in two places, but you could legally only use it in one place at a time. I don’t know if that still exists. Physically you can install it on two machines, but I don’t know if its legal or not.

Through work, I’ve had both Toshiba and Dell laptops. I also own two Fujitsu Lifebooks for when optimum mobility is a must. In the past 8 years, I’ve conservatively had 20 different laptops. I’ve like both brands just fine, but my last two Dells have been amazing. Right now, I have a Dell Precision M70, with 2Gb of memory. It has a 15.4″ display which is very nice, but that thing weighs almost 7 pounds. I wouldn’t even consider getting one any heavier. Mine is quite the beast, but it is an awesome tool.

As for the Office software. I didn’t think I could load my current program into a second unit, but am wondering, asking, if that same, or similar software program is available for these new operating systems? I haven’t shopped for software for a long time so I didn’t know.

For me I ask myself what am I using it for anytime I buy something from over or under purchasing in the past. So today I still can’t get it right . My brother-in-law took my PC and upgraded from 128RAM to 384RAM and my processor is still 900MHz. He installed XP and took out Windows98, and installed Microsoft Office 2003 which ofcoarse has Word, Excel etc… I went from dial-up to broadband and this system works fine. It does get slow when I try and run too many applications at once ie online games and online radio. My wife has a dell laptop that her brother built for her(he gets throwaways for $50 from his work and rebuilds them.)It was a birthday present-she likes it. The biggest thing I’ve learned with electronics is whatever I buy today I can buy for 1\2 as much next year and twice as fast and powerful. Too bad they can’t do that with cars.

jack, dell should have a software package with the computer, that should be the cheapist way to get the newest latest and greatest software. Do you reall need office too? at very leat you new computer will come with a word processing program (probably the newest version of mircosoft word), do you need excel and powerpoint? I’m fairly certain you can install that on your new computer too, legally speaking I can’t advise you if that’s right or wrong. (I don’t know) Check out the packages dell is offering with the computer, they’ll be the best choices.

Oh and you might want to see if your work offers discounts from microsoft, I know my work does, as you “It” guys.

Jack, when I bought my Dell laptop it came with a bunch of programs including Money and Office!

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As for the Office software. I didn’t think I could load my current program into a second unit, but am wondering, asking, if that same, or similar software program is available for these new operating systems?

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MICROSOFT OFFICE will work on any new operating system if you have the MICROSOFT OFFICE cd’s “not the recovery disk you use to reinstall your operating system” it may let you install it on your new computer if it does it will work.

If it does not let you your options are buy the MICROSOFT OFFICE suite “expensive” or get OPEN OFFICE which is free and will do most of what MICROSOFT OFFICE does.

You still have not told us what programs you use in MICROSOFT OFFICE. Word??????

Most of my use is Word and Excel. But I also use Publisher, Outlook, and obviously Internet Explorer!

I may or may not use the Quicken Program. I have it now, but have not used it, but am considering doing my own taxes in the future in which case I would need it.

As far as I know… Vista will not be available for probably another year and a half. Through certain connections I have…I am actually a part of the Vista Beta team. I have open access to downloading the most recent version of Vista for free. I will not, however, be able to get the final version for free

There are supposed to be some great enhancements to vista. As far as Internet explorer goes… that has nothing to do wtih the office suite. Explorer is a free tool included in the operating system. One enhancement that MS is working on is Internet Explorer 7. This is supposed to be one of the greatest enhancements MS has ever done to IE. From what I have heard from my MS contact (a guy that is actually involved with the designing of these systems)… it is supposed to be pretty cool. If you can wait the year and a half… I would say go ahead and wait. If not, I would suggest purchasing the XP Pro.

Thanks for the explaination about the Vista system.

I talked to a good friend who is in the industry for awhile yesterday. He’s very familiar with my needs and uses and advised me to save the extra money and go with the regular XP. He doesn’t see where I have the need for the XP Pro, and that the final version of the Vista system is as you said, some time away.

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Thanks for the explaination about the Vista system.

I talked to a good friend who is in the industry for awhile yesterday. He’s very familiar with my needs and uses and advised me to save the extra money and go with the regular XP. He doesn’t see where I have the need for the XP Pro, and that the final version of the Vista system is as you said, some time away.

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XP Pro is much better the then XP home and will give you less problems.

I’ll research it some more.

Thanks!