[Hidden-tech] Laptop advice wanted

[Shel Horowitz]

I am looking to buy a laptop. For $600, I can get a pretty basic Dell 
Latitude D520--not their rock bottom price, but seems to be a 
significantly better machine than the Inspiron 1300, except that the 
$39 option of a DVD burner isn't there. However, we recently bought 
my daughter a Mac iBook with the burner, so I can always send her 
files and let her burn them.

For$1049 I can get a far more powerful Mac iBook, which I will like 
better (running a Mac since 1984) and which would allow me to do 
audio editing with built-in software. But I know there are freeware 
sound editors available for PC, so this is not a big factor.

By far the dominant uses of the machine will be to write from remote 
locations and to cruise the Web. There will be some limited 
situations where portability is a factor (one of the reasons I don't 
want the Inspiron--it's almost 8 lbs!). I'm very spoiled about 
portability,a s I'v been using a handspring visor with fold-out 
keyboard, total weight under 1 pound. I love it but mine is worn out 
and they're not available anymore.

I would consider an AlphaSmart (2 lbs) but it doesn't look like 
there's any way viable to get the Web.

The Dell is well-reviewed, but I guess I'm looking for any personal 
experience that could help me make this decision.
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Shel Horowitz, shel at frugalfun.com, 800-683-WORD/413-586-2388
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