New Computers
Peggyfair, as I was going through the list, I was thinking, she can do better than this. I have been prowling the HP website, as I have been getting ready to buy a new laptop.
I would recommned you log onto HP.com, and look at three areas. First, review the laptops available in the entertainment section. In the 17" check out the dv9500t, and when you get it up on the screen, click on the customize. Then you can add any times you want. The dv9500t with the Core2Duo T7100, Vista Home Premium, 1680x1050 Brightview screen, 2GB memory, nVidia 8600M discrete video card with 511MB memory, wireless AGN, 2 120GB Hard Drives, High Capity 8 cell battery& a set of recovery discs will run a little over $1500.
You can also prowl the desktop lines and see how they compare. The third area i think you should prowl is the driver and download section. On the opening screen on the lower left are support&troubleshooting and driver&download buttons. Just check out support section.
I do not have anything against Gateway, in trying to help others on this forum, I have found their support site is not as complete as HP, Dell, Sony and some others.
I'm not sure why you are leaning toward XP Media Center 2005. I had it on my HP Media Center PC and was glad to get rid of it. I found it quirky and not quite Vista, but not quite XP either. The menu visuals are closer to Vista than the traditional XP. Some of my problems may have been trying to stick with Norton's Internet Security 2007, when I should have deep sixed it earlier. I did when I installed Vista Home Premium. While you can buy various books on XP Home and Pro, and of course Vista, I have yet to see a book on XP Media Center. It seems to be the red-headed stepchild of Windows opertating systems. Kind of a patch to XP until Vista Home Premium was ready for release.
With new machines at this time, the only reason not to go with Vista, is if you have Legacy progams or periphials that will not work with Vista. Older scanners and All-In-One printers are about the only devices that do not have Vista drivers now.
As always its your money, but shop around and get the most you can for that, be it Gateway, HP or some other brand. Up until recently I probably would not have been in a postition to think too highly of Dell, but there have been several incidents lately when a Dell Tech has joined in on the forum discussion to help a Dell Owner. When that happens most of us just kind of fade back and let the tech handle it, but keep an eye on the process. That shows a commitment to satisfaction that has not been their reputation in the past.
I would recommned you log onto HP.com, and look at three areas. First, review the laptops available in the entertainment section. In the 17" check out the dv9500t, and when you get it up on the screen, click on the customize. Then you can add any times you want. The dv9500t with the Core2Duo T7100, Vista Home Premium, 1680x1050 Brightview screen, 2GB memory, nVidia 8600M discrete video card with 511MB memory, wireless AGN, 2 120GB Hard Drives, High Capity 8 cell battery& a set of recovery discs will run a little over $1500.
You can also prowl the desktop lines and see how they compare. The third area i think you should prowl is the driver and download section. On the opening screen on the lower left are support&troubleshooting and driver&download buttons. Just check out support section.
I do not have anything against Gateway, in trying to help others on this forum, I have found their support site is not as complete as HP, Dell, Sony and some others.
I'm not sure why you are leaning toward XP Media Center 2005. I had it on my HP Media Center PC and was glad to get rid of it. I found it quirky and not quite Vista, but not quite XP either. The menu visuals are closer to Vista than the traditional XP. Some of my problems may have been trying to stick with Norton's Internet Security 2007, when I should have deep sixed it earlier. I did when I installed Vista Home Premium. While you can buy various books on XP Home and Pro, and of course Vista, I have yet to see a book on XP Media Center. It seems to be the red-headed stepchild of Windows opertating systems. Kind of a patch to XP until Vista Home Premium was ready for release.
With new machines at this time, the only reason not to go with Vista, is if you have Legacy progams or periphials that will not work with Vista. Older scanners and All-In-One printers are about the only devices that do not have Vista drivers now.
As always its your money, but shop around and get the most you can for that, be it Gateway, HP or some other brand. Up until recently I probably would not have been in a postition to think too highly of Dell, but there have been several incidents lately when a Dell Tech has joined in on the forum discussion to help a Dell Owner. When that happens most of us just kind of fade back and let the tech handle it, but keep an eye on the process. That shows a commitment to satisfaction that has not been their reputation in the past.
