T&T: Computers

[capteric36]

 S while ago (WOW, 7 YEARS?) I decided to replace 
the computer my sister had given me. It was an 
E-Machine Piece of work (can't say it any nicer 
than that) that was burdened with a 380 MHZ 
Pentium Processor,, 80 megabytes of RAM, and 
absolutely NO modern features. No USB, NO 
Ethernet, NO sound card, etc., etc, etc.

 First I thought I would just replace the 
motherboard. Then I found out that the E-Machine 
computers did NOT use standard components at all, 
a standard motherboard and power supply would NOT 
fit in there!
 So I bought a cheap (really, $35.00) case with a 
built-in 250 watt power supply and a new 
motherboard and an old (Pentium 3, 1.13 GHZ clock 
speed) CPU. The motherboard was $35.00 from 
Newegg, the CPU was $45.00 also from Newegg.com.
 A memory  of 256 Mbytes ( $45.00) finished the 
new computer's basic build.
 So far I had spent $160.00. Then I wanted to 
watch TV on my computer. That cost me $80.00 to 
buy an ATI All-In-Wonder 9000 Pro card on sale 
from --- you guessed it --- Newegg.
 Aside from an upgrade to 380 GBytes of RAM about 
3 years ago, that is the machine I am currently 
using.
 There have been other upgrades. Like my wonderful 
Samsung 20.1 inch 1600 X 1200, 300 nits monitor 
(so bright I need to turn it DOWN most of the 
time), and my also WONDERFUL Logitech cordless 
keyboard and laser mouse.
 Those additions were NOT inexpensive. About 
$90.00 for the keyboard and mouse and $300.00 for 
the LCD monitor. They are worth every penny (being 
vision impaired I tripped on the keyboard/mouse 
cable a bunch of times, each time the keyboard 
flew across the boat was another $25 to $30 to 
replace it...).
 I have since upgraded to 380 Mbytes of RAM, added 
a PCI to PCMCIA interface card, a Creative 
SoundBlaster 5.1 sound card, and a USB card that 
supports both the 1.1 and 2.0 speeds 
SIMULTANEOUSLY ( ok, beat THAT!). Over the last 
few years I have spent about $300.00 on upgrades 
to my computer.
 So, the basic computer cost me about $290.00 and 
the attachments (sound card, monitor, keyboard and 
mouse) were another $400.00.
 Now do THAT with a laptop! I don't think so...

 Now add dual speed USB to a laptop that came with 
no USB. Now add Ethernet to a laptop that came 
without. Now watch TV on your laptop. Now add a 20 
inch LCD monitor to your laptop.
 Get the picture?

 If you TRULY need to take your computer with you 
in the car, on the bus, on the train etc. then go 
ahead and buy a laptop. For the REST of you, for 
God's sake, buy a DESKTOP computer (NOT an 
E-Machine)!!!

 OK. This rant is also over...

Eric Thompson
S/V Procrastinator
South San Francisco
capteric36 at sbcglobal.net