ejn,

i most definitely appreciate your quick response to one of my issues. 

unfortunately, it is not the internet. i am using a cable modem. i have a download speed of 20 megs per second. i have my peripherals tweaked to get the best performance possible. i just checked the download speed before replying to this post.

 

in addition, do you have any feedback on the system stats i have listed? i thank you for your help. :)

To me it looks like your laptop should be pretty fast and good for what you are using it for.  I would also recommend the 250GB 7200rpm hard drive if you are looking for speed rather than capacity.  Most people would never even use up 250GB of space, so it just depends on what you are putting on your computer.  The 350GB 5400rpm hard drive is not really going to be that slow, but it will be considerably slower than the 7200rpm.  All of your other specs look like they should hold up well for speed.  Good luck.

Since you've mentioned downloading, I'd suggest getting a 7200 rpm hard drive - that will mean sacrificing capacity (the largest 7200 is a 250) but will help performance measurably.

 

i thank you again for your response. so you are saying the only negative i have with the configuration is the need for the 7200 rpm hard drive? it is confusing trying to buy a laptop from Dell.com when i was receiving information from less than knowledgeable representatives simultaneously.

thank you compeng100. i appreciate your answer concurring with ejn63. it is always good to get as much information as possible. especially if you are me. i have a very thick skull that only lets small amounts of information seep in at a time. :D

thanks again guys for the information on the hard drive speed. i called Dell and had my order changed to Speed: 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor. i do not need a lot of hard drive space. i have a

10gb external hard drive. i hope this was a good choice.

Any laptop built today will do what you are asking it to do.  If you are having problems with 5+ units then the root cause is clearly not the computers.

 

I don't know what the problem is (internet, PBCK, other) but I do know it is not your laptops.

good evening deparson,

thank you for responding. if you would have taken the time to "actually" read my post, you would have read my statement about it being an expensive trial and error. there is even a sentence where i state 'i do not know much about laptops.' i also stated i was looking for a laptop that was 'suitable' to me. yes, i do admit, due to my lack of knowledge, i am partially to blame for getting laptops that did not fit my needs. the manufacturers hold part of the blame due to some of the laptops contained faulty equipment. i ended up getting refurbished replacements after experiencing technical glitches that were caused by malfunctioning internal components.

 

you definitely missed the point of my post. i wanted advice on the unit that i recently had configured. i wanted an explanation in layman's terms on the quality of my current choice so i will not repeat mistakes of the past. in the future, please give constructive criticism. we all can use a little from time to time. you did not answer my post but reiterated my point of not having a total comprehension of the merchandise i was purchasing. thank you and i hope you have a great evening.

I did not say it was your fault and I did give you my assessment of the suiteability of the laptop you ordered (or any other modern laptop) for your needs.

good morning deparson,

i truly do apologize if i misread your reply to my post. i appreciate when there is interactions in these forums. i have learned a lot from you all. thanks to you and everyone who are so helpful to us newbies. :)

good evening betmen,

i wish that was the case. when a person has made as many mistakes as i have with finding the right laptop, i am cherishing ANY piece of actual knowledge that will help me become a more informed user.

also, thanks for thinking of me and my "NEW COMPUTER" this evening. LOL

Sounds to me LIKE you just wanted everyone to know about your new Computer.