Had to pay extra for not having Vista at Dell..

• Looking at Dell laptops, need help plz..sm - Bitterrooter
  • Agree with don't get Vista!!...sm... - everydayearthling
  • If you can find a Dell without Windows Vista, buy it. - Rad MT
    • Had to pay extra for not having Vista at Dell.. - tbpmt

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A lot of MT companies use older software that is not compatible with Vista. So for me, if I were considering buying a new computer, that would be a major consideration.

Other than that, if you are planning on using it primarily for transcription and other home uses (no high-tech graphic video games, for example), just get the biggest "bang for your buck". The fastest processor, the most RAM, the biggest hard drive in your price range.

I would definitely recommend a flat screen monitor. My eyes don't get nearly as tired with my flat screen as they did with my regular monitor.

Make sure you get the extended warranty, again, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. And, here is why.

My first laptop went out on my, though it was a couple of years old.  Because I had the extended warranty, a service tech came to my house, replaced motherboard, hard drive, heat sink, and keyboard.  He was able to back up everything first and restored it once all the new stuff was in place. 

One of my PCs kept giving some weird blue screen error and I couldn't get to go even in safe mode. I called up Dell, told them the problem, they looked up my extended warranty and they sent someone out to repair it.

Overall, I have been happy with Dell products.  The only drag is that everything Dell sells regarding accessories is proprietary and you have to order it through Dell.  No generic accessories will work.  My suggestion is if you decide to buy a Dell laptop, make sure you get the car power supply and you might even get a 2nd regular power supply because I have been known to leave town and forget the power supply at the house.  Now, I have everything in my laptop bag for when I go out of town and can just throw my laptop in the bag and know everything is there.

Lastly, some Dell laptops require a special aircard to connect to the internet.  I ended up getting a 2 cabled USB air card and I'm glad I did because 2 USB plug ins give better reception than one.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.

was a piece of junk, so I'm not the one to ask if you should buy a Dell.   I'd get at least double that processor speed.  My computer is about 10 months old and I have 5 times that, which means that there is probably something faster out now, or soon will be.  It is more than I need for work, but I also use computer to download music/pictures, and a bunch of other stuff.   The Dell I had had 650 mHz and it was slow and that was almost 6 years ago.   You may have to customize anyway to get XP unless you buy one previously owned, which you can also buy from Dell.   It is always a good idea to buy bigger than you need currently just to allow for updates to any software or new software you may add.    You need to also think about tech support.  I know Dell has tech support in India, which can be extremely frustrating.  I don't know that other computer companies don't offshore their tech support, but that would be a question I would ask and find out if there is a locally authorized dealer to handle warranty repairs or if you need to send off the computer.    I would not recommend a Gateway computer and I would not recommend any computer that has a Celeron processor.   They tend to be in all the lower end computers. 

I have LOTS of peripherals on both my laptop and desktop Dells and they certainly didn't come from Dell. You've been misinformed.

I love my Dells.

not the modem thing - which is what will probably go! The LX-219 is cheap on ebay but the modem is not so cheap.

I have no backup computer but I there are other computers in my house that I could use.

So if your total tax bill for last year was $4000, you need to make sure by the end of this year that he has had $4000 (plus a little extra for fudge) taken out. Otherwise you will get fined. Probably easier to get it taken out of his than to do the extra forms to fed and state and write the checks and keep track and add it to your income tax form next year...

homeschool and I also have a couple of bookshelves in my office filled with school stuff and a 3-drawer rolling cart filled with school stuff, plus another desk and printer stand in addition to mine, and a 2-drawer filing cabinet.   When I am organized and have everything off the floor and clean I am very comfortable in my space, but when I have piles of books and other stuff on the floor and on the desk it isn't as pleasant a place to be.

I have worked in a BR that I had all the baby's things/toys in and that wasn't so bad because at the time I didn't have all the gadgets I have now.

I have also worked in a corner of my den and I liked being out with the family and the kitchen was right off the family room, but it is hard to work with someone watching TV and talking around you.  

Meaning, I get paid the incentive pay from lines 1100 to lines 2000 (or a TOTAL of 900 lines out of 2000).  Hope this helps clear it up.

Chickadee

My hands kill me just about every day now, and looking at my hands i have muscle breakdown and twitching, so i'd like to cut down on typing.  Want to find something to do on the side to earn maybe 1000 to 1500 dollars a month.  Was thinking about ebay, but i'm doubtful I could make that much, even though they hype up the advertisement by saying you could make 3000 MINIMUM.  I'm just desperate and feel like my hands are about to fall off.  I've spent close to 1000$ this year alone in keyboards, gloves, splints, doc visits, meds, changed my station around, hot soaks, cold soaks, exercises, stretches, vitamins. still my hands just sing every day esp at night.  So any extra money earning ideas you guys?  thanks

Just wanted to post something that might help those of you looking for work... while I realize this is a medical transcription board, with our work being outsourced more and more each day, we have to do what we have to do to earn a paycheck.

After talking with a police officer and hearing how many hours they spend doing written reports of calls/incidents, I mentioned that it was too bad they could not dictate their reports and have them transcribed.  He really liked the idea and so did I as I thought more about it.  I finally scheduled an appointment with the Chief of Police and made a proposal to him.  I had to do some research -- average pay per hour of a police officer x hours per day spent writing reports, etc, -- but that was not too difficult to get. 

To make a long story short -- he tried this with a couple of his officers on their lengthy and very detailed reports. 

Because it allows more time for actually being a police officer instead of being tied up writing illegible reports by hand, they love the idea. 

I submitted my bid, which was approved, and the contract was signed.  There is never a dull moment with this! 

 I am changing the meaning of this emoticon. She is melting chocolate!

Thanks for reminding me I have bananas in my freezer, lol.  Maybe I'll make some banana bread today too.