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I think I may be planning a funeral soon

By
Real Estate Agent with Carolina MaxRealty, Inc.

Tracy Williams Pender, Broker/REALTOR Raleigh Knightdale NC Real EstateNot for a family member or friend.  Well, he has become my friend over the past year that we've been together.  But right now I think his life is coming to an end.

Who you might ask?

Toshiba.  My laptop.

Apparently my husband and I are too mobile with him.  Those days and nights of frolicking on the couch and in the bed with him are coming to an end I'm afraid.  A few nights ago while he was sharing YouTube videos with me I noticed a paleness on his face.  He wasn't as bright as normal.  He began to pant and felt warm, so I sent him to bed, warning my husband to let him rest for awhile as he must have had a long day.

Then the following night, as we cuddled on the couch after searching the MLS, he grew pale and warm again.

A checkup by Dr. Norton resulted in a clean bill of health.  But a mother knows better.  I'm afraid that months of moving him to and fro have made him weak.  It seems like only yesterday we brought him home from Best Buy and introduced him to his cousins, Linksys the Router and HP the Printer.

With each shallow breath he took on my desk last night it became clearer to me that the contract he was helping me write may very well be his last.

Unfortunately this will be our fourth lost in about five years.  His older brothers, Compaq, HP, and Gateway died of similar complications before him.  But HP was a fighter!  We took him to a specialist who helped him live a few extra months.  But we don't want to put Toshiba through weeks in a hospital just to prolong the inevitable.

So I'm looking to you, my Active Rain family, to help us in our time of need.  Although we don't want to "replace" him, we know that Toshiba would want us to move on.  And Linksys the Router and HP the Printer would be lonely without another companion.

If anyone can recommend a good, sturdy laptop that enjoys quite evenings at home, an occasional day at the park, doesn't mind being passed around, and is under $1000 I'd be much appreciative.

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Tracy.  RIP.  Lol.

Ken

Dec 04, 2008 07:13 AM
Bill Brannon
Beach Bum Productions - Hilton Head Island, SC

If mine does not start working a little better, it is going to die, but not by natural causes unless you consider being thrown against the wall a natural cause. 

Dec 04, 2008 07:16 AM
Randy Parker
Real Living Advantage - Dalton, GA

Hi Tracy, God rest his soul.  I've enjoyed my Dell but I spent about 1400.00.  There were several other lesser options but I like bells and whistles.  My daughter also has a Dell that she's used for 4 years of college and we've had good service from it.  Anyway take care and if you need some one to say a few words over "Toby" let me know.  By the way I have a neice in Cary and some great friends at Real Living Triangle in your area.  If you run across them give them my regards.

Randy 

Dec 04, 2008 07:47 AM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Tracy,

 

Think www.delloutlet.com for good refurbished deals.  $1000 will buy you a whole lot of computing power over there.

I have a two-year old Inspiron 9400 that I bought refurbed from Dell Outlet, and have used it quite heavily.  Also three Dell refurb printers. 

I would have no hesitation buying there again.

Dec 04, 2008 12:54 PM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Great analogy Tracy!!  Day is done - lights out - rest in peace dear Mr. Toshiba!  I too am considering another laptop as mine bit the dust this past summer and I replaced him with a whiz bang PC...  I'll be anxious to hear what others suggest.

Your Raleigh Realtors

Dec 04, 2008 01:03 PM
Tracy Williams Pender
Carolina MaxRealty, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
MBA, Knightdale & Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Mike/Randy- I've always tried to stay away from Dell because of the problems I experienced when I used to have employer-issued laptops.  But that was years ago and you're the second and third persons to recommend them.  Sounds like they've improved, so I might have to give them a try.

Bill - Anything that leads to being thrown against the wall is suicide in my book.

Ken - Internment will be held this weekend.  He'll be buried in the guest room closet next to his fallen bretheren.

Dec 04, 2008 01:03 PM
Tracy Williams Pender
Carolina MaxRealty, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
MBA, Knightdale & Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Lee & Pamela - He was young, but he lived a full life.  Interestingly enough he's not giving me any problems tonight.  But we're not moving from this kitchen counter...

Dec 04, 2008 01:05 PM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Forget about him - get a Mac!!!

Dec 07, 2008 04:16 PM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Have you thought about trying a tablet PC.  Write right on the screen.  Use the stylus for mouse clicks.

HP Pavillion TX 2525 NR

Got mine at Best Buy a couple of months ago for about $800.00

Dec 08, 2008 01:14 AM
Tracy Williams Pender
Carolina MaxRealty, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
MBA, Knightdale & Raleigh, NC Real Estate

Kathleen - I thought about a Mac, but I had to buy a new printer last year when I upgraded to Windows Vista.

Erby - I got rid of my Treo because I kept losing the stylus, but this looks interesting so I'll check it out.

Dec 08, 2008 02:00 AM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

I'm sooo sorry for your (soon to be) loss. Don't have any suggestions, but don't talk about his pending death and replacement around him or you will hasten the end.  If he's getting warm, then you might try lowering his temp, poor thing. I would suggest a "cool pad".  It's a little platform with two little fans that you plug into your USB port. If his temp stays down, then he might live much longer.  I have not had this sad, unfortunate thing happen to me.  My first laptop (maybe 7 or 8 yrs old by now) was gifted to a friend is still chugging happily along on his cool pad. :)  My former laptop is 5 yrs old and has just been gifted to a friend - with strict instructions to run him on his cool pad at all times.  As we all know, a too high temp can kill most anyone. Of course there could be other complications. :0

Dec 08, 2008 09:44 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

You're funny Tracy. Well look on the bright side. Unlike a human being that you can't replace when they die,you can replace this one-With a even better model. Have a great weekend. Great post.

Dec 12, 2008 12:40 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Tracy:  My hubby and I have Compaqs.  But they are so old at this point they probably don't make them anymore.  Then again, that will show you how great this brand is.

Dec 14, 2008 07:45 AM
Anonymous
Jed Parish

Try a MacBook Pro. I was a windows user for years and had the same problem as you but since I have owned my mac (3 years now) I have never had aproblem and it is very user friendly. I will never go back to using windows again.

Dec 21, 2008 11:11 PM
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