No desk top computer?

[Neil Winchurst]

Mark Halegua wrote:
> 
> I'm an IT consultant.  I have several systems, some I built myself (desktops 
> and servers) and some store bought because it's been cheaper to buy prebuilt 
> systems than buy the parts and make my own.
> 
> My server is still kinda old, but works.  I'll replace it next year.
> 
> Otherwise, I'm currently using 3 systems, a desktop I got in October, a laptop 
> I bought over 3 years ago (a black Friday acquisition), and a netbook I got 
> this last black Friday.  These last 3 systems are all Acers and they all have 
> Linux I installed on them (the server is also running Linux).  The Acers still 
> have the original Windows they came with, but I boot into those so 
> infrequently, it doesn't matter.
> 
> The laptop is an Aspire 5102 currently running LInux Mint 7 with KDE.  
> Everything is found (webcam, USB, camera card, video, wifi, ethernet, etc.) and 
> hasn't given me problems  I love it.  I upgraded to 2GB RAM, and it has a 
> 120GB HD with an AMD dual core 64 bit CPU.  It has a DVD+- burner and it burns 
> well with K3B.
> 
> The desktop has 4GB RAM a 640GB HD, and all kinds of goodies.  Linux Mint 7 
> also with KDE, 4.2.
> 
> The netbook has 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HD, wifi, ethernet, USB, camera card, etc and 
> Kubuntu 9.10 with KDE 4.3.  It has an Intel Atom dual core 32 bit CPU.
> 
> They all work and they all work well.
> 
> The only advice about using a laptop at home is take out the battery so it 
> doesn't lose it's usefullness by being constantly charged and not used.  Just 
> remember that fact if you want to move it while it's on.  Just put the battery 
> in before you move it.
> 
> One of the things I do with my laptop and netbook are use them on battery 
> until the battery low monitor goes on and then plug them in to power.  When 
> they're fully charged, I remove the power.  The batteries get fully excersized 
> and don't lose they're capacity to act without power attached.
> 
> By the way, I've never contacted Acer tech support for any of the systems, not 
> even the laptop in over 3 years of ownership.  I think highly of the company 
> as a result.  They make great systems at a great price (I prefer AMD chips, 
> and they sell those).  After 2.5 years with the laptop I did have to buy a new 
> battery, but got it from a 3rd party manufacturer.
> 
> The desktop is one of those small form factor systems.
> 

Many thanks for all that, especially the advice about the battery. Acer 
is one of the makes that I am considering so I am very pleased about 
your recommendations. As I have mentioned before this is my first laptop 
so I am still learning. It was a gift so I am considering the 
possibility of getting a large screen powerful laptop to become my main 
computer, hence this thread.

Neil