Question for the computer experts

[justcarol67]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Wolfie!" <wuff at ...> wrote:
>
> (Mrs.) Lee Storm (God is the Healing Force) wrote:
> > E-Machines is the best, I think, and they're affiliated with
Gateway.  They
> > have the least amount of "junk" software included with their
bundling and
> > are usually very reliable.  Art recently got a Gateway laptop and it's
> > lovely!
> 
> I don't know about the company, so can't pass comment.
> 
> A copy of windows is about the only program anyone needs
> excepting drivers for the various cards inside the unit.
> 
> Wolfie!
>

Carol:
Since I started this thread, I guess I should make clear what I use it
for. I edit for a living and also spend a lot of time on the Internet.
I can't stand laptops. (Can't explain it; I'm just uncomfortable with
the look and feel of the things.) I need a nice flat-screen monitor,
Windows XP, a CD/DVD-RW drive (or CD-RW and DVD-ROM if there's a
significant price difference, which I rather doubt), anti-virus
protection, a fast processor and lots of memory for photos, computer
games (not mine!), writing and editing projects, etc. I'm not sure
what else except a standard keyboard and mouse, which of course come
with the computer.

I can't build a computer from scratch myself, but I'm wondering if
it's a good idea to have a local merchant do it. He seems reputable
and knowledgeable, but I'm afraid that he might be edged out of
business by the chain stores or whatever you call them (Dell, etc.).
that happened to me once before and my warranty was worthless because
the company no longer existed.

Carol, halfway through the thread now and thanking everybody who's
contributed so far