Who say's it has to be a Windows based machine? There is an OS called Linux and KDE is very good.

Mac fans are FANS! Everyone I know that has one raves about it.

That's not quite right. There was a virus going around on the Macs not too long ago but it's not a problem like it is with Windows.

After the problems my brother had with his HPs he has now got a Tosh and loves it.

The only problems with Macs are that they are made by Apple and Apple has a tendency for locking you into things like iTunes etc. Reason why I would never buy an iPhone or iPod. No different to MS really. I would much prefer a Linux based PC and all the free software that goes with it over Mac OSX.

You would be amazed at how fast PCs actually run on Linux when you are used to Windows. Windows 7 is over rated as well IMO (and processor heavy) although some of the features are good.

There was some malware around I believe but need to visit a dodgy site or download pirated software to get it. There are proof of concept viruses but but none in the wild(that I am aware of anyway). And if if there were any for Mac they are still quite insignificant compared to the 100,000 for Windows. To install a virus on a Mac you need to give it access to the root of the system. To do this you need to use the administrator password.

I haven't used linux but have heard lots of people like it exactly for the fact that it is open source. Do you need a little more computer knowledge to use it? I am pretty tech savvy but was wondering for the average user.

I managed to get a softphone working on our Xandros based Linux machine.... it took me 2 days of stuffing around though. Getting a compatible version of VLC to run was a real issue as well, took me a hell of a while. In my defence I was learning linux commands from scratch, I think it's one of those things you need to learn with absolutely no distractions, not as a night shift worker with a fulltime working wife and 2 adolescent kids.

I've forgotten how I did the install now dammit !

Reason I've mentioned this is what is the easiest and most universal form of Linux at present...?. I dont want to go hunting for the correct version of programs. I would use Linux on all my comps if I absolutely knew I was going to be able to find easily installable left of center programs, especially things like ripping and video conversion programs.

Do we all get to see your wifes pumpkins

I get through laptops at an alarming rate. HP get my vote so far. I had a badly designed Toshiba so I wont go back. Same with Compaq.


My advice - pick a model thats been out a while, so they have fixed the bugs, and google the model for problems.

Ubuntu is one of the easiest and is the most popular at the moment. I used Ubuntu but moved to OpenSuse as I find Suse more professional and KDE is a very nice front end which I also prefer over Gnome (which is what Ubuntu uses). Suse also has Novell backing so it is enterprise quality and very stable.

Moving from Windows to Linux really messes with the brain when you are so used to doing things the Windows way. It's a great learning experience though and you will learn far more about computers than you will from dumbed down Windows.

Compaq are HP.

Now they are, not when I bought mine....

I buy on average a laptop every 6 months. At the moment i am alternating between HP and Acer.

What do you do to them??? Maybe you need to get one of those military spec indestrucible ones...

Acer are quite good.

I like Toshibas and I refuse to pay for laptops.

I've had 2 IBMs both 7 years old up to about a month ago. One got broken by the kids.

Now I have a 500 buck Compaq. I will just have to look after it that's all. If it breaks I'll buy another.

Mr PP has an E PC machine and since we have changed to Optus, he cannot get the internet at all - it wont let him connect to wireless - despite several calls to tech support, all we have managed are some shite calls to Netgear and have spoken to people with appalling English, with one woman even yelling down the phone 'I think you take back to shop - it broken'.

I tried to convince her that the E machine was not broken and had worked with Westnet but she kept yelling 'I think broken, its not working'.

So now we are left with an E PC machine that wont connect to the wireless, a totally useless tech support with staff that have a dreadful command of English that appear to read from a script to problem solve and in particular, one lady that sounds as though she has a bit of a penis thing going on with the varying changes in her voice depending on what shit she is spouting.

Optus called me this morning to try and get me to have a mobile with them and I told them they were rubbish, their staff cannot communicate properly and need more English lessons, not to mention customer service training and as soon as it was financially possible, we would be out of the contract.

Be careful with the E machine if you get one, because depending on who your internet provider is, you might struggle to get wireless connection.

...and the end result was.???



A Toshiba L500/026. $1430 from Domayne with a three year warranty.






* awaits the responses telling me I could have got it for $999 from DodgyBods PC Emporium *