If anyone had any doubts about my idiocy, this thread will shatter them, I'm sure.

I am about as clueless about computers and..technology in general as a person can be given that they haven't grown up in some jungle on some desolate island and been raised by wolves or rabid monkeys or maybe even slugs.

That said, I've wanted to get myself a digital camera for a long time. I've been looking around, and most aren't compatible with my computer because it's a dinosaur. So, I decided that I'd like to just get rid of my computer and buy a new one. I'm leaning towards a laptop just because it'd take up less room and hopefully be more convenient.

As far as laptops are concerned, I'm interested in something like this (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10025406&newdeptid=1&logon=&langid=EN&dept=0&WLBS=fsweb8).

I've looked at a few different cameras, and this (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&WLBS=fs%2Dweb4&sku_id=0665000FS10021929&catid=&newdeptid=14) is the one that appeals the most so far.

What I'm wondering is..am I making stupid choices? Am I overlooking anything important? Am I paying too much? (The prices are in Canadian currency, by the way.)

Since I'm wanting a digital camera, I want a new printer, too, mainly because my old printer makes me feel stupid because I can't work it properly. A while back I saw an ad on TV for printers that print photo quality pictures (my current printer isn't good enough to do that). Maybe you know the ad I'm talking about..the one with the humming birds fluttering around and the bad music in the background? Anyway, when I saw it I was like "ooh, I want that!"

I found this (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=1&WLBS=fsweb10&sku_id=0665000FS10029455&catid=&newdeptid=1) and am confused. By the sound of it, it prints photo quality pictures. But the price has me wondering, because my older, crappier printer was far more expensive. Is this just a better deal, or is it a rip off?

I should mention now that those charts on all three pages that list the specifications mean next to nothing to me. I know what some of the things are, but I have no idea about the majority of them.

Yes, I plan on bombarding the poor salesperson who gets stuck helping me with tons of silly questions when I get around to going to the store. I just thought I'd check it out on here first, mainly because you people have nothing to gain by misinforming me other than laughing at how gullible I am, whereas the salesperson has a commission to worry about. ;)

If anyone knows anything at all, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

Well firstly, I wouldn't get a laptop unless you plan to do a lot of traveling that involves needing a computer. :-S

I would stick to a desktop. Plus, you can get one with the same specs as the laptop, and it would cost less.

I am not too sure about the camera and printer. Ill leave the answers for that up to someone else.

I doubt I'd be taking a laptop travelling with me under most circumstances, but I'm thinking it may come in handy in university. I'll be moving before too long, and I doubt I'd be able to take a desktop with me. Also, two of my friends recently bought laptops and seem to be happy with them.

Is there quite a difference in the cost of laptops vs desktops?

Other than the cost issue, what makes you say that a desktop would be better?

http://www.neonteen.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12744

Well, read what Zmaster said about laptops.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10029917&catid=10607&logon=&langid=EN&dept=1&WLBS=fsweb9

Here is a desktop that is faster and has more space. Has everything the laptop has basically. And it costs $800 less. (But the monitor is not included. But you could probably find a decent one for like $150. Or even use your old one.)

Hm..ok. Thanks for your help Keith.

Erm, by "upgrading," does that mean like...getting a newer version of Windows and stuff like that?

Labtops! Had one. And it was a COMPAQ of all things. This is a Ture Story This is how bad I got Coustom Supp from Compaq! Well my labtop had troubles and I call them to see if they could help me. Well I call and they were a lil bit cluseless. And it took a good 2-5 days I do belive till I have got it fix. I call the place where I got it at and they kind of gave me the run but compaq did give me the most of the run around and I did not deal with them sence it was fix. So if you get a computer and or a labtop go with DELL Or HP!

Lol @ Labtops.

for a digital camera i recommend a Sony CD Mavica. It might be bulky but it has good mega pixel amounts and cheap media.... (mini Cd's) i have it and i really save big money on the media.... plus the camera itself is great. however it is expensive. Or i recommend almost any digital Cannon.

As far as printers go make sure the printer of your choice has cheap cartridges . Because that is what will really drain all of your funds. Also make sure the printer of your choice has a color cartridge for each color. So you only need to replace the cartridge with a certain color and not the whole color cartridge.

Thank you...the colour cartridge thing never even occurred to me.

Can you give me an idea of how expensive your camera was? I'm thinking that I'll spend $300 max on one..hopefully I'm not being completely unreasonable.

As far as printers and cameras are concerned, I'm going to try and get ones that are brand names that I recognize. As for computers, I don't have a clue what's good.

I'm still thinking laptop as opposed to desktop. What are some good names? What should I avoid? :/