No, a condom did not break causing a very unwanted pregnancy. And no, Elliot did not manage to smuggle a giant fake horse filled with toddlers into the house in an effort to throw over the evil parenting regime that does not allow the consumption of chocolate before 9am. My stupid computer is infected with a Trojan. First, it opened up 25 browser windows while I was visiting the mythical land of Internets, rendering my poor computer useless. Now, instead of opening up new windows, it is randomly shutting Firefox off, usually while I’m in the middle of leaving a witty (ha!) comment on someone’s blog. So, if you notice that I am suspiciously absent from the blogosphere for the next few days, know you have done nothing to offend me. I’m only trying to maintain the illusion that I am a sane woman and that shaky sanity is threatened every time I tell my computer to fuck off. My extreme frustration is allowing me to only make very brief trips into the land of Internets. This sorry state of affairs will continue until the husband remedies the problem.
Never fear – I’m always willing to make some annoying lemons into lemonade. If the problem is unsolvable, we may be forced to buy a laptop (we have been considering this for some time and the fact that my desktop is not getting any younger and may now be infected with something terminal, tells me that maybe it is time to put the Ol’ Girl out to pasture).
This is where you come in, Internets. If you have a laptop and love it (or hate it), please leave some advice in the comments. The silly-I-don’t-have-a-fucking-clue-about-computers-girl in me is quite taken with the colorful laptops from Dell, but it seems like I’m reading about a lot of Dell laptops crapping out lately. So please enlighten me by sharing your laptop expertise. And hopefully the Ol’ Girl lives long enough for me to read your pearls of wisdom. Thanks!
Well, I currently have a Dell laptop… it’s held up decently well for the last 3 1/2 years including mega use during grad school and getting hauled all over the place in my backpack…
But the computer I was issued as a freshman in college… wow, I had it 7 years and then with a complete workover… my best friend is still using it 3 1/2 years later! Can we say IBM rocks!
Unfortunately when I went to buy a new computer for grad school I couldn’t afford to shell out the extra $ 600 for a new one so I went with the Dell…
And whatever you do, make sure you have super amounts of RAM because that is what slows my Dell down.
Good luck!
I like the idea of the Trojan filled with toddlers
Sorry about the bug!
My experiences with Dell laptops have all been sucktastic. I’d steer clear if you can, and get whatever extended warrany replacement guarantee is available if you can’t.
Oh, sorry about the Trojan. You are the second blogger I read who has mentioned it, so I am living in fear. My laptop…what would I do without my laptop? Gah.
FWIW, it is a Dell. I think it is pretty decent. Price was the biggest deciding factor for me.
I have an HP which I love, love, love. It has windows vista which sucks butt but I’m happy overall.
DO NOT GET A DELL. I cannot say this loud enough.
Talk to the computer repair guys I sent mine too if you want, it is the NUMBER ONE laptop they see in their shop. Their company is Canada One, over by Grant Mac. The laptop I bought was a Dell Craperion something or other, and I paid 1200 bucks for it. Since, I have sunk another 300 on it. That little piece that broke off when Emily knocked it off the table? As it turned out, it fucked up the motherboard AND the hard drive. So, while the techkie guys were able to fix it enough to make it look like she wasn’t playing foot ball with it, they sent it back to dell for warranty work (I still had to pay the shipping, cause heaven forbid Dell stands by their product). It came back with a new motherboard, a new AC adapter (which had been brand new, cause Canada one already replaced it) and a new hard drive.
In the interim, I’ve been using my old HP which saw me through university, has hit the floor countless times (care of the lovely children – they take turns) and has been across the country just as many times with NO problems. Well, if you count Glen starting a Defrag and setting it on the FLOOR on top of the SHAG carpet. It melted the hard drive. Dumbass. Who does that?
Oh, and if you MUST buy a dell, get their complete care coverage warranty, cause they make a shit product and apparently it DOES need the extra insurance. I didn’t buy it thinking, well, the one year warranty should cover everything right? Nope. I was wrong, and it cost me 300 bucks to find out.
All I can think of is the kick ass computer I could have bought with 1500 bucks. ARGH! I could have bought the MAC I really wanted!!
My friend just bought the new MacBook, and I have to say it’s pretty awesome. But it’s new still so we don’t know how it will last…
I’m a Mac girl myself. I love love love my iBook and drool when I even think about the new MacBooks. I’ve also heard crappy things about Dell, but have no first hand experience. However, did I mention that I love my Mac? Sorry about the bug.
We have a Dell desktop, and it’s been great for us. BUT, I’ve heard bad things about their laptops.
We have a HP Pavilion laptop. Something similar to this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8404309&type=product&id=1180743305135. We bought it in April, and I LOVE it!
We bought an HP laptop a few months ago (we found a deal at Costco) and I’ve been very happy with it. Mind you, I know nothing about computers and must call over the “computer pro” when things lock up or whatever, but we haven’t had any real problems so far. I think we got the deal because it wasn’t loaded up with Windows Vista, and that seems to be a good thing, from what I’m hearing about Vista.
I’m just trying to fibure out my 2-day old MacBook but I’m in love currently. I have really nothing on it yet, but it’s lovely. Nothing fancy but lovely (and the wireless…whoa..) Welcome to the year 2007 T.
I have heard nothing but great things about Macs. I have a Toshiba though and it’s fan-fucking-tastic. PS post more pictures of Arlo – I need an update!
I’m totally marrying my HP Pavillion with 17 inch monitor. Oh how I heart thee.
I think, though, that I may know of this trojan of which you speak. He may have invaded my dearest laptop, too, although it’s still working…
MacBook, MacBook, I love you.
Sorry, gotta say, I love my Dell Insperon (sp) laptop. It’s been really good to me. My husband loves his Dell desktop as well.
On the other hand, if you’re willing to do a Mac, my sister swears by her MacBook, and she does a lot of hardcore work on her computer.
Good luck with the virus!
I’m a Mac girl. I know nothing about PCs like Dell.
Good thing about the Mac….they are virtually virus immune. To me that alone is worth the extra money for one.
i love my new mac. we still use our dell laptop too though. even if my three year old branded it with pen! i’m not so much of a computer gal and find the mac very user friendly. especially with the creative stuff!
http://notthatidontlovemykids.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-brand-new-apple_07.html
I’m all about Macs. Looove them.
And when I read the post title, I was totally expecting a condom post. What does that say about me? I’m not even going to think about it.
I loves my iBook. I would SO be dropping my dough on a new macBook if SOMEONE in the house would let me. And also, I have NEVER had a virus on my iBook or my iMac. Never. Since we bought them in 2004 and 2005, respectfully. Virus-lords just don’t target Macs as much as PCs, and I never get the stupid “illegal operation” boxes that pop up.
I will not go back to PC. NEVER!
Plus, the MacBooks and even the new iMacs are relatively inexpensive. Starting at around $1200, I think. And they come LOADED with shit!
My laptop blew up the other week & I’m finally settling into my new digs – Dell Inspiron. So far so good….
If I had lots of $$ I’d have went with a MAC. My hubby loves his IBM ThinkPad. I just love something that works.
Keeping my fingers crossed. I get so freaking frustrated with computers!!!!!
i’m sorry your computer is giving you trouble…i hate that!
i have a Mac iBook. we got it right after Zander was born, since it was obvious to Carlos that i was missing/lacking outside contact. i love love love it…but i know some people don’t want to switch from Windows to the Mac O/S…familiarity and all….but we’re really glad we went with the Mac. we were sick of Windows crapping out on us all the time, not to mention all of the security holes.
my friend and my cousin both bought Dell laptops. my cousin’s crapped out not even a month after she bought it, and Dell’s customer service was really crappy. my friend has had some problems with hers, too.
hope it all gets figured out soon!
Best wishes on a speedt recovery.
Macs are the only way to go. They never get viruses, worms, spyware, adware…NOTHING. Go buy a mac. Theyre just better all around. You need to send all of these commenters to my blog…I never get this many comments!!
I’d never ever go back to PC again. They’re slow and dumb!
Hi, me AGAIN. Hi, let me use your blog while you get that damn horse out of your life. PRETTY PLEASE?
My fingers are itching to get a post out and I can’t do it over at my place.
Oh, and buy a Dell, they’re nice when things go to hell. As long as you buy the super supreme warantee.
two words.
mac.
book.
now only if i could afford one…
I’m still cringing at the thought of being taken over by a big fake horse filled with toddlers! *shudder*
It must be a pretty serious virus, because it let me in!
Ha ha ha.
No seriously though, I’ve always had good luck with Norton Antivirus and Internet Security. Nothing gets in this puppy.
When my expensive and not worth it Toshiba laptop died (again) back in April, I purchased a Lenovo laptop. They are made by IBM and are reasonably priced. I have been super happy with it so far. Its fast, the screen is great and it has super battery life.
I purchased mine from a local computer retailer, but they have a website, too. I can’t recommend it more. And stay away from the Toshiba. Please!
Wow! Thanks for all of your help. Even though I don’t have to buy a laptop out of necessity anymore (damn husband and his computer genius), I’m going to consider your advice when we do get a laptop. Which will probably be soon, because even though I don’t HAVE to get one, I really WANT to get one.
Again, you people are the best! Keep the useful, not to mention the funny, comments coming.
[...] 16th, 2007 by pootandcubby The trojan has been done away with. Now my merry internet addiction can continue. Sadly, this also means my [...]
I don’t want to jinx my MacBook so I don’t want to gush about how incredibly awesome it is. I just couldn’t bear tempting fate by telling you that once you taste the Mac you’ll never go back. So, good luck.