I'm going to purchase a laptop.  I've been lugging my work laptop back
and forth to access the internet occasionally, but I need to move into
the 2000s and get my own home computer.  So my question is, what are
the minimum requirements that I need to make sure are included in my
purchase?

I'll be using the computer for Ipod downloads, digital camera/picture
storage, internet surfing/online poker, and word processing (I'm an
amateur novelist).

Somebody please help! (and if you can recommend specific
brands/computers that you like, that would be appreciated as well)

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Clarification of Question by freaknell-ga on 02 Dec 2005 13:31 PST

To clarify, I want to go with wireless, so please explain what
additional steps I need to go through with that.

Also, please let me know if any of the additional support or
warranties are worthwhile (I'm guessing they are not).

Go for the cheapest dell you can find. If you dont care about WIRELESS
internet then go with the Inspiron B120 -
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iB120S1&s=dhs
it's $499
if you DO care about wireless go with the Inspiron B130 -
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iB130S1&s=dhs
it's $549

Dell is great - and if you have problems they have awesome tech support besides...

Thanks for the comment, drooval - I'm hoping to go with Dell b/c I get
a 10% discount through work.

Dell constantly has sales, many of which much much better than the 10%
off you can get through work.  In fact company sales is how Dell and
others make most of their money.  Look at techbargains.com or
slickdeals.net

screw Dell ..
get an Apple iBook or a PowerBook.. its sleek, light, handy, and does
everything you have mentioned above..
some ppl say that there arent enough softwares compatible with Mac..
thats total nonsense..
whatever you want to do on Windows system, you can do the same on a
Mac.. only better !

Dell is defintely the way to go.

Acer! Cheap, decent specs, and they also make cheap laptops with
radeon graphics chipsets so great for games :)

Just really watch out for ram.. 512mb minimum..

'whatever you want to do on Windows system, you can do the same on a
Mac.. only better !' - hehe that would suggest that it gives me
special powers!

Personally i'd go with linux but we all have our fetishes :P