Stewart, Thank you for the information. I don't know how to break it to the middle schooler that she can't get the cool pink "skin" on her Dell (since the business models don't come in all those snazzy colors). Whatever happened to Dell being committed to building you the computer YOU want? (Rhetorical question, don't reply - I know the answer is $$$). I LOVE the ComputerGuys listserv because everyone has so much knowledge/experience and is graciously willing to share it. Anyone else?? Sharon >I bought my Dell laptop earlier this year. > >Yes you can still get XP on laptops but you need to go with the small business laptops not the home ones. (I got a Latitude D531 AMD dual core) > >Will MS support XP till 13? I am not sure but Vista will not be around by that time either I guarantee you that. > >Most universites are still running XP not vista. > >I have a Belkin preN wireless router that works great. < >Most any wireless router will do you well and are relatively easy to set up. > >Stewart > >>At 01:02 PM 9/22/2008, you wrote: >>Hi everyone, >> >>It's me again with a laptop computer question. >> >>Background: Family CURRENTLY has a Dell desktop computer (purchased >>circa 2000 or 2001) running Windows XP (don't groan - entire family is
>>used to it by now). We're happy with this Dell (and we're coping with >>Windows - we were a Mac family prior to this purchase and don't ask why >>I have a PC because the answer would take all day). There is a high >>school senior in the family and a brand-new middle schooler doing some >>high-school level wok in a specialty program. Because both girls NEED >>the Internet to do their papers/projects, and because I don't want >>folks up till all hours trying to do homework and projects and papers, >>hubby and I are planning to purchase each kid a laptop computer. >> >>Situation: We're *probably* going to go with Dell laptops for both >>girls BUT I don't want Vista on them because I want seamless >>integration with all of their previous work that was created in XP, >>plus all of their school work (e.g., they start the work in their >>respective schools - that are NOT running Vista, believe me - and then >>are expected to complete the work at home). Further complication is >>that I want an operating system that will get said high schooler & >>laptop through next four years of college - will Microsoft support XP >through 2013??). Are colleges & universities running Vista? >> >>Now I know that the platform is becoming less and less relevant, and I >>can't wait for that day because then the whole family is migrating BACK >>to Macs (desktops & notebooks). But we're not there yet, and I need >>some advice so "Santa" knows what to order for these two kids, and >>where to take the presents to get Vista OFF and get XP (or something) ON. >> >>Help!! >> >>Sharon >> >>P.S. - While you're at it, I'm thinking of installing a wireless hub >>(is that the correct term?) in my home so that these two laptops can >>wirelessly communicate with our DSL (through Verizon) and our printer. >>Any suggestions on an inexpensive, SECURE way to set this up & >>run/maintain it? ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
