What would strike me as humorous is if someone asks about the Adam computer, Melody . Do you - or anyone - remember those? It was the computer that actually wasn't. It didn't fare well after introduction into mainstream. Someone had bought me one; it was supposed to be my first ever computer. Nothing worked as it should. Then, again, it was bought at a (major) toy store. I still have the monitor (portable/rabbit-ear) TV and it works beautifully .


With my first real computer (a Mac), I realized, the things are put together pretty well. As long as someone has the O/S, drivers, vital apps., and important data either on installation CDs or backed up, a computer really cannot be hurt in a way that can't be fixed.

Whether the "vitals" come as a "bundle" (as in Mac) or as individual installation CDs, I "play" with everything on a drive - to see how things work, how to do things myself, and what not to do again .

In deciding on Desktop v. PC, it really depends on how it will be used, such as if portability, as someone mentioned, is a factor, preference, and other things.

I'd go to more than one place and look at several. I'd also go to places where the computers are booted early (in the day) and running for duration. I'd feel the keyboard/touchpad. (If it's running hotter than would seem ideal, that may not change when it's "home.")