I Need a Cheap Laptop

[Bouncer]

8 isn't better for anything its crap and a step down from windows 7. 10 is faster and more secure.

[FitnessBrat]

Anyone know if I can make the trackpad just be directional and right click type functions? Driving me nuts to keep hitting wrong spots and things pop up.

[Turbo3000]

Anyone know if I can make the trackpad just be directional and right click type functions? Driving me nuts to keep hitting wrong spots and things pop up.

I'm sure you can turn that crap off. Check out the settings.

Windows 7 or 10, I would get off 8. You will just get use to a different operating system. I use windows 7 and mac on a daily basis. You will get more comfortable.

[Chadd77]

After chatting with my engineer brother, I ended up just going with the HP Stream I mentioned above. It was cheap, had excellent reviews, and seemed fine for what I needed.

It came today. I had to get the purple because I didn't want to wait, and WOW, this thing is bright :laugh: I like the size (I got the 13.3 inch) and it's lightweight. It definitely is going to take some getting used to because I've been on a Mac the last 4 years. The track pad is annoying because certain areas you touch bring up different things and I keep accidentally doing that. I may need to switch to a mouse (I don't use one on my Mac). I'm also not familiar with Windows 8, but it came with a free year of Office365, and I really needed Word, etc.

Overall, I'm pleased so far. I'm still going to send in my Mac because EVERYthing is on there and I hope it still has life left.

You're a student right? If so, you should be eligible for a free download of Office 365. As long as you have a .edu address.

[Bouncer]

also, there are free alternatives to office now. Google Docs and Open Office being the best.

Best Microsoft Office Alternatives (Free and Paid Options) | Digital Trends

[FitnessBrat]

I have a question.

Long story short...

I took my Mac to someone and he "fixed" it, but definitely didn't fix it. Is i t legal for computer repair people to SAVE your personal files? As in, I got home and the laptop wasn't fixed, so when I told the guy it wasn't fixed and that I was upset because I really needed some school stuff, he told me he could email me what I needed. Now I have no doubt that these creeps look through every bit of your personal stuff, but to admit they still have them!?

[Scrumhalf]

That's a bit shady. Did he make a backup of your HD or something?

[Bouncer]

I have a question.

Long story short...

I took my Mac to someone and he "fixed" it, but definitely didn't fix it. Is i t legal for computer repair people to SAVE your personal files? As in, I got home and the laptop wasn't fixed, so when I told the guy it wasn't fixed and that I was upset because I really needed some school stuff, he told me he could email me what I needed. Now I have no doubt that these creeps look through every bit of your personal stuff, but to admit they still have them!?

lol wtf? what the hell kind o shady ass place did you take it? better change all passwords for everything and i mean everything. banking info on there? get replacement credit cards etc...

[FitnessBrat]

That's a bit shady. Did he make a backup of your HD or something?

Yes, he sold me an external HD. He gave me the laptop and the HD, but of course when I got home and the computer didn't work, I said "oh I just get my stuff off the HD you gave me." Nope. He says the HD is formatted for the Mac, and I can't access the files with the HP I bought. So all the money I gave him was a complete waste, in other words.

But still, he shouldn't have kept all of my personal files! I just want to know if that's even legal because I really think he should be refunding me.

[Scrumhalf]

So he put your files on an external HD that he gave to you as per the agreement with you, and in addition he made himself a copy without telling you? That's shady as hell. Did you tell him that you needed the files to be accessed by a PC? Did you connect your external HD to your HP and it didn't work? Files are files. I have a Mac and several PCs and at one time had a Linux machine as well with a backup HD connected to my router and I routinely back up and transfer files to it from all machines and to one machine to another without any problem.

[Bouncer]

The files should be on the HD for you to access. The fact that he gave you a blank hd and kept the files to "email" you is hilarious and retarded. Did this place happen to be in a run down strip mall? Lol

[Scrumhalf]

Why didn't you just take it to the Apple store and have their "geniuses" look at it?

[FitnessBrat]

So he put your files on an external HD that he gave to you as per the agreement with you, and in addition he made himself a copy without telling you?

Yes, exactly that. He kept my personal files "just in case" - but I find that completely unacceptable.

[FitnessBrat]

Why didn't you just take it to the Apple store and have their "geniuses" look at it?

Because the closest Apple store for me is an hour away, and they keep the computer. The issue was that I had a research paper on that laptop that I desperately needed. The only reason I went with someone local is because I couldn't be without a computer for weeks. Now that I have the laptop back, I will have to take it to Apple.

[Scrumhalf]

That sucks. So is the external HD really empty? He never actually transferred anything to it?