My New Lappie

Over our tax free weekend a few weeks back, I finally bought a laptop computer. I certainly don’t need one, it has just been a want for a while and I’ve never owned my own before. The one I bought was a pretty nice setup, but I ended up taking it back before I opened it and buying a lesser model. The one I took back is even cheaper this week than it was when I bought it on the tax free weekend when you factor in the rebate, plus you get Norton free.

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-dv6-1230us-Entertainment-Laptop/product_802756?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=Staples&cmSearchKeyword=dv6-1230us&fromUrl=home&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&cmArea=SEARCH&ddkey=StaplesSearch

I ended up buying this one because of the really low price. It comes out to about $375 after you factor taxes, and rebates on the machine and Norton.

http://www.staples.com/Compaq-Presario-CQ60-420US-Laptop/product_802760

It does not have all of the features of the first one, but it still has a Pentium processor versus others in this price range with the Celeron. My main use it watching DVDs / Netflix, playing poker, and surfing the net so I was very pleased to get this one. I started playing with it earlier this week. It has a 6 cell, 3GB memory, 250GB hard drive, Vista Premium 16 bit vs 12 cell, 4GB, 320GB, 32 bit for the HP. The Compaq doesn't have a webcam, the Core 2 Duo processor, or the remote control but for about $250 difference I don't mind. If you're in the mood for a cheapie, this might be a good way to go. I have a tendancy to shop things to death but once I do, I can be a good resource.

*Update* - Yesterday got the wireless set up and loaded some poker clients, Netflix, and Yahoo IM so it’s officially the poker box. Overall I’m pleased with the computer but the battery life is atrocious when playing a DVD. I guess I will be buying a 12 cell replacement battery before we go on any trips. The other thing I don’t like so far is the non-functioning media controls on the keyboard. I guess for this model, you can’t control the volume and other functions like stop or fast forward without using the mouse, but they use the same keys as the higher model laptops so it just taunts you with the control symbols.

*2nd Update* - Because I am ignorant in the ways of the laptop, I didn't realize I had to press the Function key while using the media controls. Now that I have figured that part out, I'm liking it even more.