OT Geeksquad needed for an old lady... :)

[QueenZen]

My Win95 lasted 5yrs.

Then I got WinXP still have it but it is getting old, got it when XPs were new ie Dec. 2003.

So lets say ALL I care to do online is Ultima Online, maybe some music dwnlds and maybe toss a cd movie in to watch now and then, or music cds of my own to play on puter, if I want to, and that is about it for me and computers. I don't give a diddly bout facebookin or none of that junk.

Lets say I have 550.00 to 1200.00 to blow on a new system, laptop with SOUND and ability to play UO or be stuck in one place on a new desktop, WIN7 NOT vista...

Suggestions ??

Hubby gets discounts on Dell. I never owned a Dell. My two long lasting computers were Gateway gamer pcs, but only play UO or Majong online soilitare.

What should I get new, so I can take my XP into the shop if need be, and still log into UO to play it on a laptop or new desktop...wireless or what ? And since McAfee screwed over lotsa WINXP in april mine included....what pc security that ISNT McAfee ! Most puters come with mc...preinstalled I hope to REMOVE it on the new one ...and use something way better etc. than folks that give ya a dwld update that about destroys your puter. *cough*

4GB enough ?? Sound matters to me, gotta have my hard rock even if not online in some game, my cds oft sound louder better spinning em on puter. I need SOUND oh yeh and ability to SEE UO properly via some kinda connection above my ummmmmmmm DIALUP on this XP.

ATM I only seem to breeze thru stratics using husbands Dell laptop wireless some Inpirion thingie...be nice if it was win 7 and could have sound and play UO but his laptop, isnt built for that.

I bought pc magazine this morning...it only confused me more. lol

SOOOOOOOOOo what should I get ?? Keep in mind even though I have only owned Gateway pcs, hubby gets nice discounts on Dells.

Or some other suggestions ?? I dont need Alienware I dont pvp lol or I would only pvp on some uber 733T fast system if I did pvp.

Wireless ? DSL ? help an old lady out will yall ?

Hey maybe old folks can get AARP discounts too buying new pcs desk or laptops.. I dunno never checked.

LOL

 

[kelmo]

I am going to link this to tech forum as well. *winks* Luv ya, Miranda.

 

[QueenZen]

oh thank ya !

I will look back on this forum and that one later tomorrow and over the weekend.

I think just dorkin on hubbys laptop with the wireless has been suckin me in to ..........moving into this century...but NOT too much.

I watch all the computer bs on the shoppin channels even to learn more. I was facinated with HP touch smart pcs but at my age I'd probably get motion sickness. JK LOL

Basically I just wanna play UO when I feel like it and have SOUND and speed over this crappy dial up...and memory/hd that are newer that what I got.

I don't even like Vista and his lil laptop wireless I can go anywhere in the house even and just dork around on his when he lets me LOL... and it's FAST ! It just isnt built for UO and its too QUIET ! lol

I need my own I treasure our long marriage way too much to share any sort of pc or tv even with him........... we have his and her puters his and her tvsets..his and her rooms of our own space. So I need to get off his Dell wireless and find one that can play UO and etc. etc. for OLD folks like me that don't want everything in a pc, like tvset in it and junk.. I just want more functionality..than what I have atm on my aging XP on DIAL UP. Something an old foggie can maybe fathom and use.

 

[kelmo]

I am sure between the good folks here and the "techies" you will be well informed soon.

You are never too old for a new trick. *winks*

 

[kelmo]

Don't forget to add Skype to your arsenal... I am eventually gonna wean my self off of ICQ.

 

[RawHeadRex]

hi all

if i may be so bold to assume i can help lol um ...
so you're on dialup now, wow. before we talk about your new planet busting computer purchase, we need to see if you are open to upgrading that current phone line to an inexpensive dsl line. 15 bucks a month roughly i believe and you keep your current phone number etc if dsl is available in your area to begin with.
when you say you play music, do you plug in external speakers or do you use the tiny ones in the laptop or do you use a headset/ear buds?
you like to watch dvds you said, play uo and the rest is gravy, nothing too taxing. knowing all this i checked out dell since you get a discount. I humbly recommend the studio17 series. comes with a 17" screen by default, you just choose your options on the rest. I want you to buy the top dog since it's in your price range, but any of the models (studio 17 series)would be ample for your needs. things to consider are how often are you disconnected from power, if often than 9 cell or higher battery is recommended. as far as antivirus is considered, that's actually a personal choice with many people. i'm not a fan of mcafee, norton,avg,or pccillin(trend micro?) I am a fan of avast and eset. avast's free version is what i put on friends computers, it auto updates and actually protects.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/studio-1747/pd.aspx?refid=studio-1747&s=dhs&cs=19

 

[kelmo]

Rex. I agree. With the connection part... I remember the day I went from dial up to high speed. It was the best day of my UO life.

 

[Shamus Turlough]

First thing I would do is check out the available broadband connections in your area. Going from dialup to DSL will be like a whole new system to begin with. After that, if your best discounts are on Dell PC's, then look there. Something in the XPS line is geared toward the gamer/power user usually. Anything you get that is modern will more than meet the minimums for the classic client, and the EC too I think. If you have any specific questions, please either PM me or post in the tech forum, as that is my forum and I read it much more frequently than this one. Hope I was able to help

 

[RawHeadRex]

Rex. I agree. With the connection part... I remember the day I went from dial up to high speed. It was the best day of my UO life.

couldn't agree more lol, UO was the reason I got dsl in 98. static ip's back then to home users and a phone technician with a laptop had to install it lol. now they send you a lil self install kit.

 

[kelmo]

I recommend avoiding wireless. For gaming anyway. Wireless network at home is OK. Wireless Internet is iffy. DSL or Cable to the house, go wireless in the house if you wish.

Notice we all focused on your connection first?

 

[RawHeadRex]

I recommend avoiding wireless. For gaming anyway. Wireless network at home is OK. Wireless Internet is iffy. DSL or Cable to the house, go wireless in the house if you wish.

Notice we all focused on your connection first?

you bring up a great point. verizon,at&t,southwestern bell etc, they all make an 'air card' that plugs into a laptop (usb) that uses cellular towers for internet access. outside of a house they work generally well, but inside a house sometimes the building materials of the house will work against you and act as a shield. which is why sometimes people need to leave their own houses to get a clear cel phone reception. does your husbands laptop use an air card and if so, do you UO on it and how do you like the speed of it ?

 

[Basara]

Any old (40+ years old) houses that have wire lattice plastering instead of drywall, are pretty much incompatible with wifi and cell phones. The way plastering was done for most of the 20th century, before the invention of drywall/sheetrock (and after using a wood lattice went out of style from the cost), was to nail up the kind of wire fencing often referred to as "Chicken wire", with paper or other materials stuffed behind it to give it shape, then plaster applied. However, the heagonal holes in the "Chicken wire" just happen to be perfectly spaced to act as a Faraday Cage to stop the frequencies used by cell phones and wireless networking.

This is particularly ironic in many tech-savvy cities (San Francisco, Seattle, Portland) where refurbished older houses were really popular with those in the tech industries, who didn't notice the problem until they tried going without landline phones, and switching from a wired network in-home to wireless.

If you're only going to play older games like UO, and not play much new stuff, you probably won't need one of the Dell XPS systems - and might be able to get away with getting a Dell Vostro business machine or two, and applying a few minor upgrades, for much less. 3 years ago, I got a Vostro laptop and a Vostro Desktop for less than what I'd originally budgeted for the XPS desktop I was originally looking at.

 

[Sturdy]

I grabbed three quick Dell configurations. (and a bonus box from newegg) All will run UO.

Please note that the two biggest things that will effect your game play are monitor and connection type. Many people think a new computer will help when that is not the problem.

I would consider buying a really nice monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, OS upgrade, and a new ISP first. Once all that is done you can buy a 500 desktop or a 900 dollar laptop and be good to go. (A $900 laptop should be able to run your new monitor as a second display fine) UO is not demanding graphically. Even the EC is low impact on modern systems.

My favorite monitor: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-8277

(Warning: This monitor is very high rez and makes the classic client look bad)

Three Options Below:

$1200 Desktop from Dell- should last 5 years (before any discounts)

Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!
We have some recommendations for you highlighted in green below.
Software & Services
PROCESSORS Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English edit
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan edit
Dell Recommends
Keep your investment protected for as long as you'll own it with a 3 year Basic Service Plan
Upgrade to 3 Year Basic Service Plan [Add $100.00 or $3.00/month1]
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs edit
MONITOR 20" Dell ST2010 HD Widescreen Monitor edit
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 5670 1GB GDDR5 edit
HARD DRIVE 1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive edit
SPEAKERS AY410 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer edit
KEYBOARD Dell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard edit
MOUSE Dell Studio Optical Mouse edit
My Accessories
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 edit
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
SOUND CARD THX® TruStudio PC™
Studio XPS 8100 Studio XPS 8100
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language

$750 15" Laptop that will run UO fine -Might last 3-4 years

Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!
Software & Services
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 Year Basic Service Plan edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
SYSTEM COLOR New 2010 Intel® Core™ i5-450M 2.4Gh (Turbo boost up to 2.66Ghz, 4 Threads, 3M Cache)
SYSTEM COLOR Mars Black
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit
PROCESSOR Inspiron 15R
HARD DRIVE 500GB 5400rpm
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3
BATTERY OPTIONS Lithium Ion Battery (6-Cell) – Up to 4 hours, 2 minutes of battery life*
DISPLAY AND CAMERA 15.6" High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife™
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010
SOUND OPTIONS HD Audio 2.0 Support SRS™ Premium Sound
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) - w/ Roxio Burn 1.0
WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless DW1501, 802.11 g/n 1x1 Half Mini Card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam
VIDEO CARD Intel® HD Graphics
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card
Adobe Reader Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Bluetooth Dell Wireless 365 Internal Bluetooth (V2.1 + EDR)
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
ACCIDENT AND THEFT PROTECTION 1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection

$550 Desktop (upgrade video card in a couple of years)


Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!
Software & Services
SYSTEM COLOR Piano Black edit
PROCESSOR AMD Athlon™ II X4 Processor 630 (2.8GHz, 2M, 4C) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English edit
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Basic Service Plan edit
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 edit
MEMORY 6GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 4 DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE 750GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ edit
MONITORS 21.5" Dell ST2210 Full HD Monitor with VGA cable edit
KEYBOARD Dell USB Entry Keyboard edit
MOUSE Dell USB Optical Mouse edit
My Accessories
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
VIDEO CARD Integrated ATI Radeon HD4200 Graphics
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
SPEAKERS No Speaker Option
SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
MODEM No Modem Option
MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Adobe Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
Sidious 570MT Inspiron 570 Minitower w/ Black Bezel
Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet

Or for a bonus:

$550 gaming desktop (no monitor) Buy this and and my favorite monitor above and you will be good to go for about 1K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227241

General Spec
Brand iBUYPOWER
Model Gamer Power 540D3
Type Gaming
Form Factor Tower
Processor AMD Athlon II X2 250(3.0GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Dual Core Processor
Cache Per Processor 2 x 1MB L2 Cache
Memory 4GB DDR3 1333
Hard Drive 500GB SATA II
Optical Drive 1 24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB
Audio Sound card - Integrated
Ethernet 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet
Power Supply 480W
Keyboard iBUYPOWER USB Deluxe Keyboard
Mouse iBUYPOWER USB Mouse
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Special Features NZXT GAMMA Gaming Tower
Motherboard
Chipset AMD 770
CPU
CPU Type Athlon II X2
Installed Qty 1
CPU Speed 250(3.0GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU 2 x 1MB
CPU Socket Type AM3
CPU Main Features 64 bit Dual Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type ATI Radeon HD 5450
Graphics Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 4GB DDR3
Memory Speed DDR3 1333
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec 2GB x 2
Memory Slot (Total) 4
Memory Slot (Available) 2
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 500GB
HDD Interface SATA II
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD±RW
Optical Drive Spec 24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive
Audio
Audio Chipset Integrated
Audio Channels 8 channels
Communications
LAN Chipset Integrated
LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Front Panel Ports
Front USB 2
Front eSATA 1 x eSATA (based on motherboard availability)
Front Audio Ports 2
Back Panel Ports
COM 1
LPT 1
Rear USB 6
RJ45 1 port
Rear Audio Ports 6 ports
S/P DIF 1 x Optical S/PDIF Out
Expansion
External Bays 4 x external 5.25" drive bays
Internal Bays 6 x internal 3.5" drive bays
PCI Slots (Available/Total) 1 x PCI-Express x16
2 x PCI-Express x1
3 x PCI
Mouse
Mouse Type USB Mouse
Keyboard
Keyboard Type USB Keyboard
Physical Spec
Dimensions 20.78" x 7.48" x 17.64"
Weight 24.00 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limite

 

[Skylark SP]

One thing...I would go for either an ATI HD Radeon 4870 video card or its new big brother the 5870, which is offered in the Dell gaming desktop family Sturdy has mentioned. Either of them are solid for modern games (as the next edition, the 5870 has some attractive new, although not groundbreaking features that are more "cutting edge" and is a good choice if the extra $50 is not a big deal), which means you will not be limited should you decide to explore something besides UO, and it plays DVD movies beautifully, if you have a monitor that can match the resolution. I'd drop the RAM to 6GB with 64 bit Windows 7 home premium, and maybe the processor down a notch on clock speed within the same family if it comes down to making choices for the price. You will get more gaming bang for your buck that way. You can always buy more memory from Crucial.com later, generally at a better price as long as you pick a starting memory configuration that leaves available slots for expansion. (Dell configurations are notorious for putting a default configuration of the smallest chip in every slot).

For you, QZ...if you can afford it, I would recommend springing for the advanced Dell support for 2 or 3 years, if you go that route. While in my own experience with Dell systems (home & business), hardware failures have been rare within a 3 year period, but generally when they do occur they are pretty major, and the support is totally worth it then. With the advanced support, they send a locally contracted (Dell certified) computer tech to your house to fix things, if remote troubleshooting doesn't readily identify the problem. It is a very nice thing for people who aren't into fixing their own computers.

Unless you truly need/want mobility for computing at home, and the flexibility to take the PC with you, both wireless and a notebook PC are more money and trouble than they are worth, with less performance for the same price point. If you are upgrading your Internet connection to broadband cable or DSL, and have your heart set on wireless in your home, I'd suggest the Cisco Valet wireless home networking system (~$150), because it is truly a set-up-everything-for-you system, including connection security, and has received very good reviews for signal stability/strength in home use.

*edit* Oops, missed your line on the $550 to $1,200 range, but you can get a solid gaming desktop for around $700, and a very nice gaming desktop for $1,200, particularly if you don't need a monitor. Dell is having a pretty good sale right now as it is on certain systems, and if your husband's discount can be combined with the sale price, might be a good time to go for it!

-Skylark

 

[Lorddog]

just use your discount and get that dell laptop

studio 1749
Starting Price $1,298.99
Total Savings $249.00
Subtotal $1,049.99

Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
4GB3 Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
1GB2 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 (this is a seperate graphics card then an integrated)

make sure you do not get an integrated graphics card is the #1 thing you have to worry about when getting a new laptop because everythign else is mostly new tech.

You will love being able to take your laptop with you on vacations and/or into any area of your house.

Lorddog

 

[QueenZen]

*you see QZ's head implode* hehe

OK so first I need to move forward to some other connectivity besides pokey dial up for MY computer present or future set up ?

We have ATT on his wireless & on my pokey dial up for my desktop pc win XP. DSL is supposed to be in this county now, more than it was, before it all was up in Memphis for ages but had not crossed the state county line to N. Mississippi till very recently.

ATM I am on husband's wireless Dell in our den. Homes in this subdivision were slapped up in the late 70's outgrowth from Memphis, so our homes are all 3-4 bedroom homes with a brick exterior front, mostly drywall & wood paneling for interior walls. His wireless works just fine in the den here, even with huge brick fireplace in the den here but the walls are drywall or all wood paneled.

I have not tried to play UO nor dwld UO on HIS laptop. He uses this for his business traveling etc. sooo I won't even try UO on here, plus it probably hog up his battery life span or whatever. His wireless is a lil black ATT thingie he slaps in the side of this laptop..ps no real sound on this thing of his.


I do prefer UO classic. So I would need a computer where I can be old school 2d classic client preferred with less issues, computer wise. No clue what UO Enhanced client even looks like nor do I care much about it.

Kelmo, why would I want Skype ? If my kids wanna talk to me they have the home phone # and the cell phone to call. I did see skypin helped victims under debris in earthquakes but meh hasn't quaked here in ages. Memphis will go liqifaction when it does sooo, hard to skype sunk under clay liquified.

Music, cds that I put into my desktop just blasted the music better than any cd player I had even. Old win xp desktop has speakers, makin UO nice and loud when I put UO music ON

Aye big concern is how or will I even be able to figure out how to exit dial up to go dsl or whatever even before I buy anything pc wise. Maybe I should try that first, try to go from the dial up TO something newer, faster with my existing Win xp ? Cuz if I can't figure that out, it'd be silly to buy a new pc yet be it laptop or desktop ?

I like the portability to move wherever in the house one wants to go via using a laptop, but yeh add the wire for the batt so ya can stay online longer then it is not much different than being stuck at one location on a desktop.

I am going to use the copier to copy everyone's responses & suggestions posted here or over there in Tech forum.

 

[Critical Gaming]

I just built a dual core machine for a friend:

Pentium Dual Core 2.6 ghz per
2GB DDR2
Onboard video
320GB HD
DVD Burner
RAIDMAX Smilodon case with 500w PSU

$292 AFTER shipping and tax

20 minutes tops to slap together, and a nice cracked version of windows 7 ultimate

 

[RawHeadRex]

yes first things first, call your phone co and see if dsl is available to your home for your current xp setup. if it is available, order it and they will send you a self install kit in a few days, easy to follow so don't stress out about it. we'll tackle the desktop purchase after... baby steps.

 

[RawHeadRex]

I just built a dual core machine for a friend:

Pentium Dual Core 2.6 ghz per
2GB DDR2
Onboard video
320GB HD
DVD Burner
RAIDMAX Smilodon case with 500w PSU

$292 AFTER shipping and tax

20 minutes tops to slap together, and a nice cracked version of windows 7 ultimate

don't be surprised if the network stack stops working without any warning.

 

[QueenZen]

yes first things first, call your phone co and see if dsl is available to your home for your current xp setup. if it is available, order it and they will send you a self install kit in a few days, easy to follow so don't stress out about it. we'll tackle the desktop purchase after... baby steps.

Thank you. I will do /try to do that first. Aye baby steps.

 

[AEowynSP]

Kelmo, why would I want Skype ? If my kids wanna talk to me they have the home phone # and the cell phone to call. I did see skypin helped victims under debris in earthquakes but meh hasn't quaked here in ages. Memphis will go liqifaction when it does sooo, hard to skype sunk under clay liquified.

Skype is the icq of the future, you can still only send and receive messages just like icq; but you also have the option to see and hear other people and even let them see and hear you.
You can configure it how you like, I have a friend who points there webcam at there 150 gallon reef tank and turns off there mic, then types away chatting. The other people being typing challenged/lazy just speak and read the responses.

 

[Skylark SP]

20 minutes tops to slap together, and a nice cracked version of windows 7 ultimate

 

[Pyrite_DTA]

QZ,
I feel your pain.
I too, know so little about my pc and have always relied on my personal tech support (my youngest son) to do everything for me. I do not know what Kelmo had in mind about Skype, but I know my son and I use it so he can see my desktop and guide me through any help I need while he is in Baghdad. I just have to click a button and he can see everything on my screen, and can tell me step by step what I need to do to fix what ever mess I have made of things. Works great! Fortunately, he is always amused at what I manage to mangle and laughs a lot! Maybe you have someone who can help you set things up once you get started.

 

[Lorddog]

does scype let you see their desktop (like goto meeting?)

 

[Skylark SP]

does scype let you see their desktop (like goto meeting?)

Skype itself is simply a VoIP chat service, although they do offer video chat as well. Skype calls are free if you only do Skype-to-Skype calls, but there is a per-minute charge for Skype to standard phone line calls, as far as I know (that is a completely optional feature).

 

[Pyrite_DTA]

does scype let you see their desktop (like goto meeting?)

We just use Skype to Skype- it costs nothing. The video part works really well, I use it to see my granddaughter and read to her, and since we both have great connections, it works well.

My son, while in Baghdad has a crappy connection, so we just do audio. Skype has an option to "share my computer" which he has me do when he wants to see what my problems are.
He can see my screen (but only one at a time- I use dual monitors) and he can coach me through things that I need help doing.

I do not think he had to set anything up special to do that. And I know it does not cost anything.

 

[Spree]

I don't have any geek help but did you find the endless water picture in you mail box?

 

[Shamus Turlough]

Ok then, all tech talk aside. Anything current from any of the major PC manufacturers will run the UO classic client and run it well. As some others have said, spring for the biggest monitor your budget will allow, and focus on upgrading your internet connection first.

 

[QueenZen]

Um ok....what would I need to ADD/SUBTRACT/CHANGE/EDIT or INCLUDE in this particular Dell Laptop. * & NO the weirdo art is THE design I'd WANT should I get a laptop, tis not optional. I will blow the 85 bucks for NorvusOrdo Cobalta, design tis sooo me. .*


Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!Software & Services
COLORS NorvusOrdo - Cobaltika by Tweeqim edit ($85.00 extra)

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Advanced Service Plan edit
MOBILE CONNECTIVITY ATT Internal Mobile Broadband Card with GPS (5540) edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB SATA HDD (7200rpm) edit
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6200 edit
KEYBOARD Standard Keyboard edit
HD DISPLAY 17.3” HD+ (900p) Bright LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) edit
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 edit
My Accessories
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 edit
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months edit
MICE Dell WM311 Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver - Blue edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
PROCESSOR Studio 17 Laptop
BATTERY OPTIONS 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
INTEGRATED WEBCAM No Touch Software
VIDEO CARD 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Adobe Reader Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
ACCIDENT DAMAGE PROTECTION 1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection

Starting Price $1,738.98

Total Savings $249.00


Subtotal $1,489.98

Ya think I can still play UO on this thing ?? I can always get a desktop later or whatevers ??? Internet seems to be wireless here and broadband like ATT and all them, DSL is still not DONE being brung into my hood aparently. ATT broadband & wireless both, I guess might be speedier than the 28k modem on my XP atm ?

 

[QueenZen]

I don't have any geek help but did you find the endless water picture in you mail box?

No not yet sadly. But Thank you. I will get it some fine day soon when I am back in game.

Let's see the last patch of UO was 229,298,715 bytes that I began on my pokey puter & pokier dial up, on June 16th, lost my patience, thus dwld'd it over days and nights till it finally all patched without a hitch last week.

Then Microsoft went to dwld. an update...on my XP too.

I logged into game after that big UO patch patched on MY pokey pc... but I moved in game, like a poor oil soaked pelican stuck in the gulf oil spill.

Thus not even been able to move enough nor had the patience to move slower than *usual*, to check my game mailbox nor vendors. I just know they need restocking WHENEVER I get/decide on new internet connection and a form of new pc, that works faster newer and better than this one does. THEN I WILL move better in UO I hope, to check my game mailbox & vendors and make my parrots SQUAK again !

PS IDOCers relax my homes will STAND cuz I am still paying for my accts. all of em for now... so there.

I usually been checkin this forum ON husband's wireless laptop its darn speedy ! But I won't game on his business laptop nor try. HIS AND HERS ya know.

 

[Sturdy]

Um ok....what would I need to ADD/SUBTRACT/CHANGE/EDIT or INCLUDE in this particular Dell Laptop. * & NO the weirdo art is THE design I'd WANT should I get a laptop, tis not optional. I will blow the 85 bucks for NorvusOrdo Cobalta, design tis sooo me. .*


Congratulations! You have finished personalizing!Software & Services
COLORS NorvusOrdo - Cobaltika by Tweeqim edit ($85.00 extra)

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2 Year Advanced Service Plan edit
MOBILE CONNECTIVITY ATT Internal Mobile Broadband Card with GPS (5540) edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB SATA HDD (7200rpm) edit
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6200 edit
KEYBOARD Standard Keyboard edit
HD DISPLAY 17.3” HD+ (900p) Bright LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) edit
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 edit
My Accessories
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 edit
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months edit
MICE Dell WM311 Wireless Mouse with Nano Receiver - Blue edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
PROCESSOR Studio 17 Laptop
BATTERY OPTIONS 85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
INTEGRATED WEBCAM No Touch Software
VIDEO CARD 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
Adobe Reader Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
ACCIDENT DAMAGE PROTECTION 1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection

Starting Price $1,738.98

Total Savings $249.00


Subtotal $1,489.98

Ya think I can still play UO on this thing ?? I can always get a desktop later or whatevers ??? Internet seems to be wireless here and broadband like ATT and all them, DSL is still not DONE being brung into my hood aparently. ATT broadband & wireless both, I guess might be speedier than the 28k modem on my XP atm ?

That is a smokin monster laptop. I cant really say there is anything wrong with it. I would point out that this is a rather large laptop (17.3") and so will not be incredible portable. If it is not going to travel why not save $500 and get a desktop that is twice as fast? If you got a 1K desktop you would still have $500 left for a cheap laptop.

I can totally get behind buying the cool gizmo you want though. If I had the cash I might do the same.

 

[QueenZen]

Smokin huh ?

Aye, I am still debating the desktop. Part of my internal debate with myself on a new desktop also is tv set related. While I know nothing about them yet, my tv set may also crap out, in due time ie it is not any new HD flat screen whatevers.

I do see some new desktops are ALSO tv set/wide screen tv $$$.
These may be more of a pain in the arse than they advertise, cuz in the future if the tv set goes will the desktop still function and visa versa within these new pcs with tv inside etc.

So these issues to are on my mind regarding IF I go new desktop pc,
or desktop tv set pc combo in future. The technology is changing so darn fast on everything we own or will yet buy.

Desktops are heavy too ie the towers are, every time I wanna clean or dust big twr oft 20 pounds plus is in the way, plus monitor, keyboard, etc.

Part of my brain is thinking get a laptop less junk in the way, for whatever
uses it may be worth ie to use one as some desktop replacement maybe wherever I want to go in the house to go on line in my old age for a few yrs of use hopefully?

Although this laptop may be more, than what I need or may totally comprehend, too.

 

[Nexus]

Smokin huh ?

Aye, I am still debating the desktop. Part of my internal debate with myself on a new desktop also is tv set related. While I know nothing about them yet, my tv set may also crap out, in due time ie it is not any new HD flat screen whatevers.

I do see some new desktops are ALSO tv set/wide screen tv $$$.
These may be more of a pain in the arse than they advertise, cuz in the future if the tv set goes will the desktop still function and visa versa within these new pcs with tv inside etc.

So these issues to are on my mind regarding IF I go new desktop pc,
or desktop tv set pc combo in future. The technology is changing so darn fast on everything we own or will yet buy.

Desktops are heavy too ie the towers are, every time I wanna clean or dust big twr oft 20 pounds plus is in the way, plus monitor, keyboard, etc.

Part of my brain is thinking get a laptop less junk in the way, for whatever
uses it may be worth ie to use one as some desktop replacement maybe wherever I want to go in the house to go on line in my old age for a few yrs of use hopefully?

Although this laptop may be more, than what I need or may totally comprehend, too.

That's a really good laptop, one benefit is it's still portable and it will do more than run UO just fine ...

There is another thing you can consider though, you could always buy a Monitor, keyboard and Mouse and when at home attach them to the laptop and use it like your Desktop Tower Basically Docking it. That Laptop has a VGA and HDMI connector so the monitor isn't a worry and you'll have at least 3 USB Ports for keyboard and mouse..

 

[AEowynSP]

Nexus your sig is pure win!

 

[Nexus]

Nexus your sig is pure win!

I can but try... I make a new one about every week, I get bored, something happens in game.. etc. I like this one though but I don't know how long it will last.

 

[Lorddog]

is that the xps system? the price compared to what I had is $700 more or so.
I always get the outer wrapping customized from dell - makes it worthy

anyhow looking right now I see dell has a $438 discount on studio 17
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/deals/performance_laptops?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Lorddog

 

[QueenZen]

Yeh, I been researching daily on hubbys laptop and seen that Dell redid some prices about overnite on them all, the 1749 Studio 17 is probably what I will be ordering today with Dell.

Come hell or high water part of me just does not wanna stay stuck on a desktop any longer whether it works UO or not.

Laptops are changing drastically, daily, yearly, tis time I got one anyhow rolleyes: and figure out how to use one.rolleyes:

With talking with my eldest daughter last nite she said ....you are weird mom you seem to have your heart set on that weirdo design, the blue winged thingie with eyes staring at us for art design, on the laptop, soo if it comes in the studio 17 get it... cuz it looks like some rock song you'd be listening to on your new laptop... I said like: born to be wild ?

She laughed said you want it to work for ya once ya figure it out , but if ya never figure out how it works, you bought a nice pricey piece of art. LOL

I said I can fly to YOU in Calif. with this new laptop you can tell me how to get this laptop to work.

 

[Nexus]

Yeh, I been researching daily on hubbys laptop and seen that Dell redid some prices about overnite on them all, the 1749 Studio 17 is probably what I will be ordering today with Dell.

Come hell or high water part of me just does not wanna stay stuck on a desktop any longer whether it works UO or not.

Laptops are changing drastically, daily, yearly, tis time I got one anyhow rolleyes: and figure out how to use one.rolleyes:

With talking with my eldest daughter last nite she said ....you are weird mom you seem to have your heart set on that weirdo design, the blue winged thingie with eyes staring at us for art design, on the laptop, soo if it comes in the studio 17 get it... cuz it looks like some rock song you'd be listening to on your new laptop... I said like: born to be wild ?

She laughed said you want it to work for ya once ya figure it out , but if ya never figure out how it works, you bought a nice pricey piece of art. LOL

I said I can fly to YOU in Calif. with this new laptop you can tell me how to get this laptop to work.

That Studio 17 is a really good laptop, I doubt you'll be disappointed in it. Like I said before you can always dock it at home and use it like the tower. That would give you some benefits like a full sized keyboard, monitor and a normal mouse for when you aren't traveling with it.

 

[Lorddog]

I always use a normal mouse with my laptops.

I like the image of the lion in the designer choices.

also make sure you get the built in wireless - make it super easy connecting at other places. I see you had added it in your config.

Lorddog

 

[QueenZen]

Aye I also ordered a metallic blue wireless mousey. I have spare mouses even for my XP so I should be good on old fashioned mices to also go with newbie mouse in the laptop square on the keyboard.. thingie. Figured, I would want BOTH.

Yeh somewhere in our 2.5 hr. convo going over specs in ordering this laptop, I was trying to describe my husband's ATT wireless Inspiron Dell laptop connector thingie wireless fast connection wify whatever wireless thingie...in the end, after checkin with her tech specs peeps, she called it...*external device* and now I would have to order that as an *internal device*......... on newer laptops... I said...GAH WHATEVER. lol Add it in the price then and specs making.

So ya can see how comic tragic this ordering went with my old tech pc brain and habits with the new generation of puter peeps all wise trying to communicate with ............ ME and to get it right for DELL and me both in the process for a happy satisfied customer.. DELL sale. I felt sorry for them and they kept apologising to me too. *generational gap* maybe. lol


I think the sales rep. tech squad geeks and other Dell folks I was talking to on the phone yesterday, trying to place my order lost their minds talkin to ME totally ungeek savy past Win XP ! And my mind exploded and imploded too as they patiently asked me questions at to what I want to DO on a laptop (desktop sort of replacement) pc.

The sales rep will call me back today to finalise my order. She has to check with supervisors for any additional discounts that I might qualify for like... even senior citizen discount. LOL With the design I ordered she assumed I had to be a college student not a senior. haha

She said .........ITS A SKULL...cool but it is a skull I assumed you were 20s something. LOL

I said ...that design reminds me of a motorcycle helmet I once had...sorta goth hippy...riding on the back of hubbys motorcycle to Steppenwolf's Born to be wild. LOL

I think she concured with my kid that I am WEIRD for my age. Anyhow my order should be finalised today after she checks with supervisors to see IF they might have old folks discounts on computers. She can not authorise any discounts till checkin with supers...they went home last night when she was still talkin with me on my order specs and other geeky stuff that I don't fully fathom. Dell Studio 1749 laptop, with new designer design externally should then be... on the way !!

She apologised for taking so long to go thru it all with me checkin with their techs and other geeks... before we agreed on any specs, and I apologised to her for being *OLD TECH PCer* and thus clueless.

Hopefully when it gets here and I get used to it/learn it, it will all work out for me in the end, for my new pc laptop version, one way or another.