[BC] notebook suggestions

[Alan Kline]

Cowboy wrote:
  >  Would I pay that ? Not just no, but H377 NO !
>  I paid $528 for this whole machine ! ( with a year warranty )
>  If that situation were to happen, the economics are that I upgrade
>  a whole generation at least, for $200.
> 
>  I do the same for my clients.
>  The biggest BANG for the buck,
>  which isn't necessarily *THE* biggest bang !!

Well, this is my own personal machine, so I didn't have to worry about 
client's (or employer's) money, but your point is well taken.

I had several reasons for going ahead with the repair--first of all, the 
  $350 or so that I paid for the repair stretched the budget far 
enough--even $500-700 for a new, low-end machine was totally out of the 
question. Second, I simply cannot stomach the idea of writing off a 
machine that was barely 15 months old. I have a very difficult time with 
the idea of "planned obsolescence". Third, the machine was actually 
picked out for me by my wife, so there are sentimental issues there as well.

Sound business? No. But under the circumstances, I'm satisfied that 
although I spent the money, Gateway didn't see a dime of it.

ak