Okay, that sounds flippant. I am taking this very seriously.

I really need a good laptop for work, and I am looking and browsing like crazy. What kind of a laptop do you have, and does anyone have any recs? I'd love to run Linux and all the stuff I'm seeing seems to come with Windows.

Also, I've been printer-less for some time. What's holding me back is that I can buy ink for about $40, but I'm worried my printer won't work. For $30 more, I can buy a fax. Do you personally use a fax, or do you use something online?

I don't want to hog the thread, so anyone else can chat about their toys, too.

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Magic Satchel

I have to agree, I think most of the applications are for Windows based software and will provide the greatest selections of software. I have Windows Vista. Also since most people have Windows it is easier to share files I would think. I only know of one person having Linus and that is my college instructor (I took the A + Certification class last year with her).

As far as printers go I believe in having backups since I always have problems now and then and don't like to be left hanging. I have a black & white laser by Brothers DCP 7020 which has given me good service. I just purchased the Xerox colored laser 6125 which I am thrilled with..I have an older Lexmark inkjet that is just ok..good for backups though since I only paid around $89 on Hsn. But I probably will stick with Brothers & Xerox now. The Brothers has a toner cartridge but the Xerox has individual cartridges. Since I just started using it I cant comment on that yet.

I have a dedicated fax only because I like to use it for personal faxes (medical, family, confidiential) that I don't want to share online. But I am going to start using efaxes when I start with Ring Central. They have a lot of advantages, one being sent right to your email box which makes sharing faxes a cinch! But I like the option.

Maintaining a dedicated fax IS I have to admit! The other day I ran out of toner (thought I had more left but didnt). Problems with copies jamming, putting them in one at a time and still not taking..But I probably will stay with it for above reasons. I just like having more than one option for everything I do..HTH

Jo-Carole

I have a new 15" MacBook Pro 2.5 GHz, with 4 GB of ram for $40.00 from crucial.com (its super easy to install ram). I think any Mac is cheaper in the end as it lasts a lot longer than a PC (my last one was 5 years old, and I would still be using it now if it were not for my own reasons to upgrade), in my experience. Mac's do not require purchasing anti-virus every year and the cost involved when one gets viruses, spyware.

I bought a "previous gen" Mac (new, just previous summer model) for $1000 less -- AND of which was faster than the one that was newer. Go figure. We did the research, that is what we found. Love it.

Mac's are built on UNIX. I can load up parallels and load Win XP on it -- if I wanted which I do not.

Printers? I love, love, love my HP 1020 laser printer ($179 new). I refuse to purchase inkjet ink, which means having an inkjet, of course. Its disgusting how much money "ink" costs. Laser printers last a really long time. Cartridges are a once a year cost for me at $69.

I did not stay long (gotta get back to work) -- but, nice site. I like that it is unique from others. That is important in setting yourself apart from the "crowd".

Originally Posted by Jocarole

I have to agree, I think most of the applications are for Windows based software and will provide the greatest selections of software.

I thought that I could use Open Office on Linux- I've used it at work before and IIRC, it is compatible with Office. Also, most of my work is done using Inkscape or browser based programs, and I do have Windows on my desktop- mainly I just like open source.

Quote:

As far as printers go I believe in having backups since I always have problems now and then and don't like to be left hanging.

I have very little space in my house- I would love to move somewhere bigger so I can have more workspace! I barely have room for a printer, I have to be more creative.

Quote:

I have a dedicated fax only because I like to use it for personal faxes (medical, family, confidiential) that I don't want to share online. But I am going to start using efaxes when I start with Ring Central. They have a lot of advantages, one being sent right to your email box which makes sharing faxes a cinch! But I like the option.

I'll look into Ring Central- thanks!

Originally Posted by MontereyBayVA

I have a new 15" MacBook Pro 2.5 GHz, with 4 GB of ram for $40.00 from crucial.com (its super easy to install ram). I think any Mac is cheaper in the end as it lasts a lot longer than a PC (my last one was 5 years old, and I would still be using it now if it were not for my own reasons to upgrade), in my experience. Mac's do not require purchasing anti-virus every year and the cost involved when one gets viruses, spyware.

I have a little iBook, which I love, but it's been sick since April. I'm getting the HD restored but it's only 30GB. If I can snag a good deal on a powerful Mac, I'll definitely look into it. My boyfriend just switched to Mac a few weeks ago and he's really happy with it- he says Windows is a "distant memory."

Quote:

I bought a "previous gen" Mac (new, just previous summer model) for $1000 less -- AND of which was faster than the one that was newer. Go figure. We did the research, that is what we found. Love it.

Going to MacMall now- if I buy one it's totally your fault!

Quote:

Printers? I love, love, love my HP 1020 laser printer ($179 new). I refuse to purchase inkjet ink, which means having an inkjet, of course. Its disgusting how much money "ink" costs. Laser printers last a really long time. Cartridges are a once a year cost for me at $69.

That's not bad at all! I can't wait til the Amazon specials come up for Friday. I suppose the underlying issue is getting enough workspace- I can barely fit in here and I need to make it work better.

Originally Posted by MontereyBayVA

I did not stay long (gotta get back to work) -- but, nice site. I like that it is unique from others. That is important in setting yourself apart from the "crowd".

Thank you so much! I have to get better at driving traffic, but I hope I can make an impression. If I have to go back to regular, on-site working I'll be heartbroken. Thanks for looking it over!

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Magic Satchel

Open Office does everything all the other office suites do. If you can email it? They can open it.