your advice re: to buy or to fix/upgrade

[kbaasit]

Hi there. I have a Dell inspiron 8600: Intel Pentium M 1700 (1.69 GHz) 1GB ram; 80 GB HD etc. I t has been around now for the past 6 years. Basically, the only problem that I have with it, is that when I want to D/L a cpl of even smaller files it break connection w/ the Router. I can even be sitting close to the router or upstairs in our house and it will just drop the signal. This happens if I am other locations as well.
The only other comment I have is that while I am typing on this notebook, it for some reason decided to jump up elsewhere to where I typing! Sometimes, it goes to a different web site altogether. Finally the battery holds the charge for about 10 mins. then it is time to plug in!!

My question is this... given the fact that adding some mre RAm and the cost of a new battery etc, I have already updated all the drivers that DELL has on there web site, would you think it would be a better idea to spend a few hundred more and buy a new notebook> or try to fix this one up i.e new battery + ram to 2 GB, and maybe a better network card??

If the idea is to go for a new notebook, whats the best deal out there for what one gets inside the hardware case??

Thanks

[Kidd]

Do you have other computers connected wireless to the router? (it is the notebook, NOT the router that's the problem, right?) The battery replacement ($60) is relatively cheap, but i'm not sure about the cost of RAM and/or network card, as my experience with laptops is even more limited than my experience with desktops. Aside from the problems mentioned above, is this computer doing everything you want it to?

If you're having problems with a connection that isn't the router itself, as well as the problem that occurs with typing, then the problem could be any number of things wrong with the computer (out of my range of knowledge, for sure) If you fix those 3 problems, how long before the next problem? 6 years (IMO) is a pretty good life out of a laptop.

(I am NOT the expert here, but I just bought my 4th laptop, and I find that shopping around and spending $300-$400 US will get you a decent laptop that will last 3-4 years + without upgrades, so $100 per year doesn't hit my wallet too hard.)

Also, laptops are more disposable than desktops, and at some point, you run out of room to economically expand and upgrade. Would you be willing to give up the optical drive and go to a netbook? If I don't have to stare at one all day, a 10" screen doesn't bother me, and I like the battery life and price of what's out there. Either way you decide to go, good luck.

[Kidd]

If you're not opposed to refurbs-

DELL LATITUDE D620 Notebook, DUAL CORE T2300 (1.66Ghz), 1024 MB, 80GB HD, DVD-CDRW, 14” widescreen , 80211.b/g w/BT, XP Pro with original restore CD from Dell, Factory Refurbished - DED620/T2300/1GB/80-R

$329 US

http://www.buy.com/prod/DELL-LATITUD...tml?adid=18007

[kbaasit]

if I were to buy a 'good' laptop new. What would be a config that ewould be one? I am so out of date when it comes to CPU's etc... it's rediculous!

So any advice would be appreciated. Thanks