I feel really stupid.... I need to go to a store and have someone explain it to me and tell me what to buy. Problem with that is they always try to upsell to me. I guess I need to window shop for a while first. Sounds like a plan :-)

don't you have any teenagers around who can help you, lol?

I bought a Vaio yesterday :-) I have had many laptops over the years, both for work and personal use and, so far, the Vaio is my favorite by a long way. It was also a PCMAG.COM Editor's Choice, something DH liked because he said that meant it had no real issues. Many of the models I looked at had pretty poor user reviews.

Try to avoid any laptop with a Pentium processor if you do actually want to use it on your lap - they tend to run very hot and it can be tough to keep the electronics cool enough in that situation.

My local Office Max had some good clearance deals on HP laptops, but they didn't have the separate number pad on the side that I wanted.

Not yet, but I wish I did. They seem to know everything. But my close friends husband seems to know alot so I think I am going to pick his brain :-)

yah, I looked at some and I really want the seperate number pad too. I am just not sure on the specs and what size screen I should want? Right now I have a 13" and it seems fine but I don't want a tiny keypad.

oh, what about Acer?

DH said no to Acer - he feels that they cut more corners than other manufacturers.

If you have an Office Depot near you, try them to explain things. They were so helpful to us and didn't make us feels stupid for the questions we asked. (My husband and I are both computer illiterate) They don't work on commission and weren't pushy at all like the other store we went to first. Their computers aren't loaded with a bunch of things you don't need like the other stores were.

thanks, I will do that soon :-)

Many years ago, I was like you leary of laptops & the different keyboards as I have always been a typist. Trust me, you get used to the keyboard changes with each computer you buy. I love my laptop as it sits here on my lap & takes up so little space. Also, you can plug in the same keyboard you now use to a laptop if you want the bigger keyboard.