Can't answer all your questions but I do have an answer for this one... > I don't see any network stuff (they aren't now but > I think they should), modems, or connectivity--usb, > firewire? Should she assume anything comes with?
On the networks and modem, don't assume they come with the box. They might but get that in writing. As for USB and firewire, it's generally safe to assume that you are getting at least USB since almost all PC motherboards come with support for USB. However, if you need USB 2.0 (the high-speed version that's essentially as fast as Firewire 400) then you can't assume since there's plenty of older motherboards still out there that only support the USB 1.1 standard and not the new USB 2.0. You should get that in writing (note: USB 2.0 is sometimes called USB Hi-Speed) But Firewire is much less common on PC motherboards, so here again just like with the network support you'd better get it in writing. Don't assume. As for your whole PC vs. Mac decision, one cost you should consider is the virus cost. My Mom has a PC (because that's what they use at work and she doesn't want to learn something different at home) and I've had to spend a good deal of time and effort with her a couple times when her PC got infected. And though I bought and installed anti-virus software for her, she doesn't download the virus patches regularly which is why it gets infected periodically. Still, for her I think it is in fact best that she have a PC since that way Word and Excel look and act exactly the same for her whether she's at home or work. And that kind of uniformity does matter for people who aren't big techno-geeks like some of us. --- Rex. | The next meeting of the Louisville Computer Society will | be November 25. The LCS Web page is <http://www.kymac.org>. | This list's page is <http://erdos.math.louisville.edu/macgroup>.
