[Discuss] need advice buying new tablet/laptop

[gaf at blu.org (Jerry Feldman)]

A couple of comments here:
I have purchased a number of refurbished laptops and had good luck with 
all. Most were from eCost and were HP factory refurbished.
My son-in-law just bought a "new" Lenovo through an eBay store and it 
turned out to be refurbished. Fortunately the store agreed to take it 
back or refund him some cash. They are negotiating now. There was 
nothing really wrong with it other than a dent and he didn't like the 
keyboard, but there is a bios fix that seems to improve things
I personally prefer HP/Compaq and Lenovo.
WRT: Python, while you probably can get an Android tablet to run Python, 
I think you are better off with a low-priced laptop running a full Linux 
distro. Not only does it support Python but you also have access to 
editors and IDEs. I use Xemacs for all my development. Also, tablets, as 
much as I like them, do not have the USB support you have on a laptop, 
and also do not have hard drives.

On 09/13/2013 08:11 AM, Eric Chadbourne wrote:
> Go to Micro Center in Cambridge.  I'm typing on a very thin and quick 
> enough laptop I got there a couple of months ago for $400.  i3, 500gb 
> hd, 6gb ram, 4 usb 2, 1 hdmi, dvd, sd card, metal accents, and pretty 
> nice for the price.
>
> They have some refurbished computers as well.
>
> Good luck,
> Eric
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "barry goldman" <sow_thistle at yahoo.com>
> To: "discuss at blu.org" <discuss at blu.org>
> Sent: 9/12/2013 12:20:58 PM
> Subject: [Discuss] need advice buying new tablet/laptop
>> Hi guys,
>>
>>
>> my laptop fried and don't know where to begin picking a new one.  I'd 
>> like a tablet or small laptop that preferably i could read outside in 
>> the DAYLIGHT! and that i can run linux and python on.  with sd flash 
>> slot and usb ports.  is it possible to get one with one of those 
>> epaper screens you can read in the sun?  used is ok, i'd like to get 
>> by on less than 300$  I'm in Beverly mass, but come into cambridge 
>> regularly.  any ideas of where to see these beasts or how to find one 
>> would be appreciated!  calling would help too, cause i'm stuck using 
>> library computer!  917 526 2580.  thanks

-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id:3BC1EB90
PGP Key fingerprint: 49E2 C52A FC5A A31F 8D66  C0AF 7CEA 30FC 3BC1 EB90