I prefer a track pad to a mouse. I think it is what you get used to. If you are going to add a mouse to your laptop go wireless. Flash drives have come way down in price too. You might try Frys Electronics or Tigerdirect.com. I've had the best luck with Frys but sometimes Tigerdirect can have some really good deals as well.

That is so totally awesome Alu. My DD, DH and I all have HP's and have been very happy with them. I went back to school at age 45 and didn't get my lap top until my 2nd year. It made all the difference in the world! It made me wonder how I made it through school the first time...without the internet!

Enjoy and give your grand dad a great big hug.

I remember how we made it through school the first time without internet. It was called the Library and a typewriter (1 inch margins, 25 lines per page, can you tell I wrote a LOT of papers?). What a pain in the tush.

GRANDPAS ARE LIKE THAT. I have a HP and love it.