OS 8 is a MAC app; thought you were only comfortable with Microsoft?
Or did you really mean Windows 7?
Be sure you know which it is you want before you go buy it...
That computer is no slouch. Why do you need something better (other than the fact that it has Vista)?
For $700 - $800 you can get a pretty nice laptop these days. Used to be, you would pay a lot more for a large screen, but not so much anymore.
Check out the refurbs from Toshiba. Some of the best Window’s computers you can get. Getting a factor refurb also has several advantages. First is price, usually 50%-70% of a new model. Second, they go through more quality checks than an off the assembly line model. One of every 100 off the assembly line may be checked while every single refurb is checked. Finally, you usually get the same or similar warranty as a new model.
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/bstorelist.to?coid=-29405
I had an Acer that finally died. It was excellent, though not loved by the critics.
Go to Best Buy. Get a Sony VAIO (?) or Asus. Dell is OK too.
Apple is pricey for what you get. But I still have my Macbook Pro, now 4 years old.
But for the cheap side, Best Buy has all levels. Probably would avoid Gateway (owned by Acer). I bought one for youngest son and it had everything out of date.
Just bought an Acer Aspire laptop for the girl’s Christmas/birthday at Walmart for $298. 15.6” screen, Windows 7, 200G+ hard drive, 2G AMD processor. Sorry, don’t remember the precise HD and processor specs. I just knew it was more than she’d need for what she does.
Also heard Best Buy has a similar laptop for around the same price but I don’t know any more about it.
YMMV locally.
Dell 17.3 Inspiron Intel I5 processor and 500 GB.
Anyway, just hit Windows-E on your keyboard. That is, hold the Windows logo key down and while doing so, press the E key. This will launch Windows Explorer and if you have Windows 7, you should be able to see how much space your drive(s) have left.
Both the less expensive and the more expensive need to go fast, both will run Dragon Naturally speaking, a resourse user.
I have 272 ACRES and NO CHILDREN. So, why should I continue to pay more in taxes than it cost me to buy it?
Explain it to me, please.
Although you’ve had a good experience with Acer, I have not. I’ve owned several over the years and every one of them was a subpar machine. You might consider yourself fortunate that you’ve had a good Acer experience and not push the envelope. ;-)
MM
It sounds that you , like me, do not use your computer for work , gaming, or graphics ...
I know you do not want to spend much.. but as a basically computer dumb woman I have a mac book...
The mac tells you how to do everything or does it for you ..it is a great computer for the computer challenged and they are less likely to get a virus ... mac stores also have classes or you can make a free appt with a mac “genius” to learn a specific function.. also if it has a problem a trip to the mac store genius will help you..you do not have to talk to some jerk in India
They are expensive but they too can be bought refurbished or 2nd hand from craigs list
I can use my husbands HP , I have no problem with windows.. but i so like the mac user friendly system that I will probably continue to break my budget every 3 years or so to update.
bump for later
Go to Dell.com. Look at the bottom of the page for “Dell Outlet”. You can find laptops at about half price.
GO to fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net hourly and keep your eye out for laptop deals.
If you are willing to sign up for certain rebate programs, you can now buy an equivalent laptop for under $450 all inclusive shipped to your door.
Also, check out the lenovo factory outlet, (horrible customer service, incredible prices)
the dell refurbished outlet,
if you have a microcenter retail store near you, check out the microcenter.com open box laptop section,
check out the newegg.com open box/return section
sign up for the buy.com daily email (though buying a laptop from buy.com is a frightful experience if anything is defective)