Good in the sac.......Welcum to Pixies! And TY for some input (no pun intended...LOL!) I agree with you about Dell....never heard a bad thing ....yet!? But I have personal knowledge about Gateway and so I won't even try and recommend it. If I can't back something....I don't sell it! I also agree.....as with anything, experience breeds knowledge! And in the price range I am having to consider and the experience I know her daughter has little of......I so far am thinking my friend should buy a package that includes: the puter, the monitor, speakers, keyboard, a printer, and possibly a scanner (or if she saves enough on the deal and it's not included...to purchase one seperately that may be a combo fax/scanner). TY so much for replying and have fun on the sites babe!

Scarecrow.........OMG hun! Don't hurt yourself over there! LOL! I think I agree.........."daughter" is just getting started. She is smart enough to get into college........but far from being a rocket scientist (or in her case....a forensic scientist). She needs basics with expansion capabilities.........but this is not to say that down the road she won't need to upgrade. Hey! We all had to start somewhere! All I keep thinking of is..........."Oh, hell! I'm gonna spring for the works for my friends daughter"! I can afford it........but I know the pride my friend will feel in doing this "something special" from her heart to her daughters education. OK.....It has to be said here........this daughter (the oldest of my friends three children) was born to my friend at a time in her life when her family had shunned her in her shame. They said she should abort "it" and never speak of "it" again. She refused with every fiber of her soul and raised "daughter" alone for many years thereafter. For some strange reason friend and daughter were suddenly accepted back into the family. "Daughter" is now the pride of the family and my friend wants to show her how much she loved/loves her.......in as many small ways as she can! Regardless of what the family thought of my friends first born.........my friend never wavered in that love......no matter how little she had to help her make it!

*Sorry....didn't mean to make this a tear jerker*

Did I mention how terrific I think you all are for helping me help my friend? You are all incredible! TY so much!

__________________
Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~