Marcster

I think the CompUSA opening at midnight probably caught some other companies by surprise. I wonder if some other places are going to want to give that a shot? Soon places won't even close for Thanksgiving! The same idea behind Macy's bringing out their Christmas decorations last weekend (at my local mall anyway...)

There were 40 or so of them at my local OD. There are only 38 or so now, I bought two of 'em. One as a back-up, one for a friend's sons (the notebook mice are apparently easier for kids hands to grasp). :)

He sure does... There's probably one near you! http://ross.know-where.com/ross/

Are you looking for the fabric zip-up binder style? I always find good deals on those at Ross Stores of all places...

I've been happy with my HP laptop. Their tech support is o.k. too. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Computers/yltype.gif

Yeah, that would go right into your brain tissue.

Here is a link to Staples: www.staples.com You MUST click on Order By Item Number and enter the numbers including the "-JA" or "-zf" otherwise the regular price will show. Here are the images I made a few sales ago... On the Staples home page, click on this: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Stuff/orderpage1.gif And enter your item numbers on the next screen: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Stuff/orderpage2.gif

I have a good friend looking around for a new laptop -- I've looked for a few weeks and this is still the best deal going! (Dell has had this laptop at this price for at least 3 weeks).

Very private and less than $50: http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module14/images/paperbag.jpg http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/LOL/N1Lol16.gif LOL! Oh, you want one for when you are actively using the laptop... Hmm, maybe someone else knows of something.

If you'd like to read up on it:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=toshiba+%2Blawsuit+%2BA75 There are basically four distinct problems with the A70 & A75 series: The fans are installed in the "suck" position -- you have to blow mass amounts of dust out of the laptop on a regular basis. The computer overheats and locks up (usually happens at least once every 4 hours of use) -- this is probably related to the above point. The audio is unreliable (even the latest drivers need to be deleted/rebooted/installed/rebooted -- that probably happens once a month). Oh, and that may not even fix the problem -- I've had to do that delete/reboot/install/reboot process FOUR TIMES to get it to work... half an hour later, you have audio, fun fun fun! I haven't experienced this yet, but apparently the power supply connection will wear out from it's connection to the motherboard and then you can no longer run the computer from an outlet - only on battery power. Something for me to look forward to. Finally, due to the above problems, the resale value of this laptop is bargain-basement.It would have to be free before I'd get another Toshiba.

See, now I have one of the A75-S209 Toshiba laptops that was involved in that class-action lawsuit. The thing overheats all the time. I was underwhelmed by how they resolved that lawsuit and I'll never get another Toshiba. Why a company would buck tradition and have the fans on the bottom of a laptop in a "suck" position vs. a exhaust position, I'll never know. But I am quite happy with my zd8025us HP laptop. I never had a Dell laptop, so I can't comment on that.

My notebook has the ATI Mobility Radeon X600 (128 MB of dedicated Ram). Here is a link to the laptop I bought from Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A39X6Y/ref=nosim/002-1022308-3994466?n=541966 I don't know of any "real minimum" to run dual monitors. If you are thinking of a tower, you'll need to get a computer with a dual output card or add a video card to it. If you add a card, www.newegg.com has great prices -- you could go with like 64 MB from the Tower's card and another 64 MB from the card you add... I don't play any "hardcore" 3-D games, just the stuff on www.miniclip.com. And I can watch a DVD or baseball game on one screen and work on the other, no sweat. If you are doing Web design, consider getting an LCD that rotates to become taller than it is wide. It is really nice for typing e-mails and reading long pages of code w/o scrolling. Unfortunately, my laptop's card doesn't support this feature even though the DELL 1905fp does.

Thanks everyone! My wife and I just applied for health insurance through United Healthcare which is underwritten by Golden Rule. We looked around at the sites you guys suggested. Ehealthinsurance.com is the best in terms of being able to compare one offer vs. another. The temporary coverage should be $102.76/month for $1000 deductible with a 20% copay. Not the best coverage, but just something to "bridge the gap"... We just both recently had eye exams, and we can wait for dental cleanings till after the new employer's health insurance is in place, so we didn't sign up for any of that stuff.

If you're in the market for Refurbs, don't forget to check out www.clearanceclub.com too. Their stock changes all the time.

Someone must've bought that one. The cheapest laptop I see in Dell's outlet is $579.00. Does it definitely need to be a laptop? Many times you can get Towers for less.

Fixed!

We have health insurance through my wife's work. Basically, we're going to have 95 days or so where we will no longer be insured through her old job but are not yet eligible to join a plan at the new job. Her old employer is not large enough to offer a COBRA plan. Hence the reason for this thread. Thanks in advance.

As a fellow Web designer, I would HIGHLY recommend a dual-monitor, or even a tri-monitor setup. It is extremely helpful to have: both the "live" version of a Web site on one screen and the "development copy" on the other -or- the directions for a script on one screen and be installing it on the other -or- the client's e-mail on one screen and do their requested change on the other -or- a TV tuner running TV on one screen and work on the other ...you get the idea I use a laptop as my design computer and have the Dell running as a secondary: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Cat%20Pictures/seven-laptop.jpg Don't mind the cat or the messy cords (I'm replacing this desk shortly and I'll make the cords tidy then). And welcome to Gottadeal!

$49.99 for me too. Maybe Outpost just doesn't like you, Scott. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Sad%20Upset/consoling2.gif

You would "know" if you have a lightscribe DVD burner. It would say so on the DVD burner's faceplate (or on the sticker on the outside of your tower if it was came as part of your 'puter from the manufacturer). Lightscribing replaces the task of making a label. It allows you to do stuff like this: http://www.cdgrab.hu/_drive_hq/benq1625/LightScribe_sample_01_320x.jpghttp://www.imation.fr/images/products/lightscribe/ls_sample3.jpghttp://www.hhrf.org/magyarszo/arhiva/heti/2004/01jan/komputer/lscribe.jpg But, lightscribing takes a while (I think it's like 10 minutes, besides burning the "play" side of the DVD) and it's always going to be that tone-on-tone coloration (as opposed to the rainbow of colors that you can make with a color peel-and-stick label. To each their own.

(To true yoda-speek converted.) http://swg.stratics.com/content/lore/personas/images/yoda.gif

We bought our dishwasher and stove from Lowe's back in '03. I swear that Home Depot wants to keep their appliances as "pets". http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Animals/DogPooperScooper.gif

Thanks, I'm sure the Newbies and the Spammers will do that, don't you worry.

I must say that I am looking forward to this... I'm ready to chip in where needed. Helping other members, problem-solving, answering questions, making people laugh through articulate use of smileys... you know, the basically stuff I do already. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileys/ea767755.gif Thanks for picking me and congrats to the other new mods! http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Food/diespam.gif

Whoo hoo! I'll buy the first round: http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Drink/Party-Time.gif