Need help with notebook buying

[Key]

Hi

I'm thinking about buying a refurbished notebook from tigerdirect. This one

Averatec 7115-EH1 Mobile Sempron 3000 1.8GHz / 802.11 b/g Wireless / 512MB DDR / 80GB HDD / Dual Layer DVDRW / 17" WXGA / Windows XP Home Notebook PC (Factory Refurbished)

I'm only going to use it for gaming and dvd watching while at my job. the gaming I'm talking about is yahoo spades...lol...

so

what kind of concerns I should be thinking about.

1. How would I connect to the internet??
I don't know nothing about wireless internet so what would I need???

I heard about wi-fi but how do I used that???

most labtops come with 802.11b/g what is this???Do I buy a wi fi card and use that with it.... I'm so confused

Please help

Thanks
Key

 

[Brainonska511]

How much is that laptop? What's your budget? For about the same price (or a little more or less, depending), you can get a new laptop off Newegg, though it would probably be more like a 15.4"

Also, if it has a TigerDirect rebate, you should be warned that they have a notoriously bad rebate processing.

802.11b/g is WiFi.
Connect to the internet using a wireless network (need a wireless router + wireless card in the computer) or using a wired network (plug the cable into the ethernet port).

Edit:
You may want to look at the Inspiron E1501. It starts at $499 from the Small Business Section @ Dell: Link

 

[Key]

thanks for replying so fast

I'm going to check out the egg also been looking at dell.

my buget is $700.00.

:802.11b/g is WiFi.
:Connect to the internet using a wireless network (need a wireless router + wireless card in the computer) or using a wired network (plug the cable into the ethernet port).

so you are saying I would need both a wireless router and a wireless card. it seem's like that will add at least 139.00 to any dell i buy.

the wireless card that comes with the devise is not good by itself????
I'm looking at the inspiron 1501 it says it's supposed to be internet ready...

so

this is what I'm thinking about from dell

Mobile AMD Sempron? 3500+ (1.8GHz/512KB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife
512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM
120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card
Integrated Audio
$659

thanks
Key

 

[alimoalem]

all new laptops i know of come with wireless cards in them. what you need at home is a router connected to your DSL/Cable modem to broadcast the signal.

i would go with this dell 1501 configuration:

select the Smart Value option (the $629 one)

CPU: Turion 64 X2 TL-50 (dual-core, 1.6GHz i think)
Screen: 14.1" Wide Screen. i prefer 14.1 over 15.4". maybe you should check them out at a best buy or fry's to see what size is ideal for you. i'm sure 17" will be too big
RAM: 1GB (2x512mb)
HDD: 80GB
Optical: DVD burner
Battery: either at the 6-cell ($30) or 9-cell ($50)

comes to $659 or $679, depending on battery chosen. basically what you chose except with a much faster dual-core processor, double the ram, double the battery life, and 40GB less hard drive space (which i think is worth the sacrifice)

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
all new laptops i know of come with wireless cards in them. what you need at home is a router connected to your DSL/Cable modem to broadcast the signal.

i would go with this dell 1501 configuration:

select the Smart Value option (the $629 one)

CPU: Turion 64 X2 TL-50 (dual-core, 1.6GHz i think)
Screen: 14.1" Wide Screen. i prefer 14.1 over 15.4". maybe you should check them out at a best buy or fry's to see what size is ideal for you. i'm sure 17" will be too big
RAM: 1GB (2x512mb)
HDD: 80GB
Optical: DVD burner
Battery: either at the 6-cell ($30) or 9-cell ($50)

comes to $659 or $679, depending on battery chosen. basically what you chose except with a much faster dual-core processor, double the ram, double the battery life, and 40GB less hard drive space (which i think is worth the sacrifice)

If you get the 15.4" WXGA (no true-life; $50 extra) and the 6-cell ($20 extra), then you can get that notebook (with the same specs in the quote) for $699. I think they also have a deal with free shipping at the moment.

As far as wireless cards: Almost all new laptops come with wireless cards. The E1501 (which is probably going to get you the best bang for your buck) has one that comes standard. It will be fine for your wireless internet needs. The only reason I mentioned a router is because you need something that will broadcast the signal (to the wireless card already in the laptop) within the confines of your home if you want a wireless network where you live.