Homestead mailing list

[Bevanron <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

BobTheWonderDog wrote:
 Don't buy Sony because they use
> proprietary software and non-compatible hardware.

I won't.  I hate Sony.  I bought a Sony home entertainment unit a couple
of years ago and on Day 366 of ownership, it quit.  I learned that they
planned it that way, and the only way to fix it is to send it back for
some $70 upgrade to remove the code.  I decided right then and there to
boycott Sony forever.


> Don't buy Dell unless you like talking to people in Bangalore or
> Calcutta.

Tech support for anything is based in Asia, it seems, but that is a
whole 'nother issue.
I get the Dell and Gateway brochures in the mail and have looked at
them.  I bought my daughter a Gateway as a graduation present 3 years
ago and it is still going strong with no problems.
I can get brand recommendations later when the time comes, but for now,
I just want a quick catch up and run down on the technology.

 The only real downsides to a
> laptop are the crappy keyboard and the fact that the KB and screen
> are hooked together.

Don't they make one now that be 'unhinged'?


Heck, for that
> matter, you could probably get a wireless KB and mouse for $25.

You can do that with a laptop?


 Yes, they are more difficult to fix, but so
> is an automatic transmission or a heat pump.  That's why we have
> extended warranties and repair people.

I guess difficult also means expensive.  What is likely to go wrong?


> You will lose the benefit of having your existing desktop computer
> and monitor act as a cozy space heater, though.

With my dogs in the house, I am constantly cleaning the fan on the
tower.  I'm ready to ditch the tower, but will the laptop/notebook stand
up to all day use if plugged in the wall and how will that affect the
battery back up if I rarely go unplugged?  Will not using it regularly
decrease it's lifespan?
And again, what is the difference between a notebook and a laptop?

Bev


--
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net  BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm      NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W