I have a niece that is using my toshibas at the moment for university and I want to get her a notebook for herself.

My software techie recommended a company that he deals with and they have 2 models that interest me, however I always have bought toshiba.

One is the Dell Latitude D600
Centrion 1.4 ghz
512 mb
40 gb
14.1 tft active matrix (that is the size she wants)
32 ATI Radeon 7500 Video Card
Can read cd, dvd, burn dvd
10/100/1000Mbit Network card
2 usb 2.0 Ports
Windows xp home
90 day warranty
6 month warranty $ 49 xtra for hardware
12 mo $79 xtra for hardware

I am very ignorant about having 2 separate computers in 1 house and a high speed connection.
I have D-links modem dsl 300g, smc barricade and alpha shield

What else will I have to get so that she has her own system operational.
I have already got her a e-mail address.

But don't know about hooking the computers together.

Do I have to pay more to the high speed provider???

I am on a contract with the phone company here in canada til 2009.

I would appreciate experienced comments from all of those knowledgeable members out there, before I go out and make a big mistake.

You will also see a post that i am looking at purchasing her either a Dell Latitude 600C or a Compaq n620 C, i have read the reviews and they appear about the same. I posted in the Hardware Forum to see if any member has comments.
Both notebooks have 90 day warranty and $49 for 6 months more or $79 for 1 year. This is for hardware only.
The notebooks are from government offices and have been refurbished.

The store said the Compaq was pre merger with HP and was a good unit.

Again I would appreciate comments, thankyou for your time.

Ok for the computers IMO the compaq would be better it has a Pentium M processor and its capable of handling 2 gigs of ram. Also the Mobility Radeon video card is nice. As for networking or connecting both computers to the highspeed internet you will need a router. Either a wired router if both computers are in the same room and she doesnt like to move the laptop. Or a wireless router where you can use the computers wherever you wan't in the house. If you choose the wireless router the laptop will need a wireless card. The computer that sits next to the modem can be connected with a cable and doesn't require wireless capability unless you wan't to move that one too. Anything from D-Link and Linksys will full fill your needs. And before you ask about all those letters 802.11 A, B, G, MIMO etc. Unless you have a HUGE house 802.11 G should be ok.

You won't have to pay you're phone company "Extra" fees. With a router it will share the one internet line you have for both computers. Though if you're both downloading something at the same time it will slow down.

Forgot about that one..

Thx for the replies, I have been away and just got to read the comments.
In the meantime, I have found a new Acer which is good enough for her needs and I can get a 2 year warranty that covers everything from Staples except dropping etc. for the price of a used one, so I think I will go for it.

However, I seem to get mixed reviews that Acer is Cheap.... hardware wise e.g. HD, memory etc.

Comments anyone??

I myself go for toshiba, but this one does not need that high a quality to warrant the price tag!!

Cheers and I look forward to comments,

I got an Acer to replace the broken Compaq at my wife's office - both were low end computers, but were sufficient for her needs.

Acer used to have a reputation for being cheap, but from what I've seen recently that reputation isn't deserved. The new one's don't seem to break any more often than any other PC brand.