digzmania

There's just something inherently better about being able to surf the web, watch a movie, or view family photos all from your own PC.

After a week and a half, I finally got mine back from the shop this evening. I've been in the process of loading key programs back onto the machine and recovering some of my favorite links (including Live Journal). One of the big ones for me was actually installing microsoft outlook so that I could get my regular email again. I've been getting my hotmail for all of this time, but my regular email always came through outlook.

I loaded my scanner software, the program for our digital camera, my live messenger so that I can IM if I need to or get live notifications when hotmail emails come through. But just as important, I sat in my own chair, at my own desk, and kicked my feet up to relax. Now lets just hope that everything works just fine once it is all loaded back up, and I can keep this machine virus free for a long time to come. It might be 4 1/2 years old, but this desk top should have a lot more life in it still.

This afternoon, I used the DELL online site to order a new custom built laptop for Karen. Since I was never able to get around to buying her the pink Roxie Schwin bicycle for her birthday and Mother's Day, I am giving her this state of the art pink laptop instead. (I would have rather bought one in another color other than pink, but I knew that Karen would absolutely love it).

Sine putting in the wireless router onto our home high-speed network, Karen has been able to log onto the web using her work laptop; but it is limiting in the websites and applications that she can do around the house. Now, she will be able to boot up and hop onto the web from anywhere in the house: in our bedroom, while watching TV with the kids upstairs, on the back deck, at her reading/smoking table in the garage, or even in the bathroom (ewww). LOL I might even borrow it to write LJ updates while in bed, while we watch TV or a movie together. The possibilities just seem to grow with every passing moment. ;-)

With the upgrades (from the basic model) I had built into this computer, it even surpasses both of our PC computers in many ways. I might even have to try to take it on some sweet jumps (Napoleon Dynamite reference), I mean try out some of the newer PC games on it.
The cool thing is that Karen will be able to play her Big Fish games from anywhere in the house; although I just thought of the fact that this eliminates her need to come downstairs and be on our second PC and in the same room with me in order to do the tasks she most frequently uses a computer for at home. It's a two edged sword.... more silent/alone time for me during the moments when I just need to "get away" for a moment of solitude,... but it means she won't be sitting at her PC for those times when I want to be on-line and am wanting to be in the same room as my sweet Bubbie Bee. If money were no factor, I'd order a second laptop, and I could follow (read, stalk) her around the house where ever she goes. LMAO. But, money is a factor, so it will be several years before I buy any more new computers. (I bought the gaming PC in 2003, my PC in 2005, JoAnn's PC in 2006, and now the laptop in 2008) Since I just finished upgrading and refurbishing both of the desktop PCs with new RAM and hard drives, it will be at least 2010 before I consider buying anything else; other than maybe a new printer or three in one (printer, scanner, copier) combo unit.

Which reminds me, I brough home Steve's old printer and scanner from Mom's house Sunday. He didn't want them anymore, and they were good units when he used to use them. I need to plug them in and test them out. The printer will need new cartridges, so maybe I'll look those up online later tonight.

So.... here are the specs on the new laptop:

Model: DELL Studio 17 (color PINK)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5 GHz / 800Mhz FSB / 6MB cache)

Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista, Ultimate Edition SP1

Memory: 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2

LCD Panel: Antiglare Glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1440x900)

Video Card: 256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3650

Hard Drive: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

Combo DVD+RW Drive: 8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

Sound Card: High Definition Audio 2.0

Additional options/features:

• Back-lit keyboard
  
• Integrated 2.oM Pixel Webcam
  
• Integrated finger print reader (security option)
  
• Built in Wireless 370 Bluetooth (2.0)
  
• Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse Bundle
  
• 8 in 1 multimedia card reader (So I can pop my camera's SD card in to upload photos on the go without needing a USB cord)