-=PCTechTalk=- general advice on a laptop

I have been looking at laptops for a month and now I want to buy one -
purpose would be to be able to sit in my recliner or kitchen table when my
back is bothering me and would use it to to keep, sort and use my graphic
and font collections plus occasionally hooking up to the internet.  I might
take it with me when I travel, however it wouldn't be that often so weight
isn't a big consideration.  Sam's Club had some Compaq's that had a 17 inch
screen which I really liked over the 15" they also had.  However I have
heard some not so good reports on Compaq computers so am hesitatant to
choose that one.  I have a Dell desktop and am one of those who is totally
pleased with it and the service from them.  Problem is Dell only has 15"
monitors.  The different specs are what have me confused and I'd like some
advice.  Dell currently has a Inspiron 8600 on sale and some free add-ons.
There are alot of choices I need to make and since I probably will not be
buying another one at my age I want to make sure I have what I want.  I
understand that the processor 1.4 GHz refers to the speed but I couldn't
find any explanation for the differences between WUXGA, WSXGSA and WXGA -
the Dell site explained something similar but not those particular 'call
letters <gr>"  Can I assume it has something to do with the number of
pixels?  If so the more expensive would have more pixels right? Next come
the video card choices - again am I correct in understanding the more memory
the better the picture?   Last but not least concerns the CD/DVD/ABC/XYZ
<gr>  Dell is offering a free 'upgrade' on this model from a 24x CD-RW/DVD
Combo drive with Sonic Record now to 4x CD/DVD burner (DVD+RW/+R) Upgrade!
(from Combo Drive) - now does this mean the free upgrade would offer me a
choice of either burning CD's AND DVD"s or is it limiting me to burning only
DVD's plus what does the DVD+RRW/+R) mean in kindergarten language :-)  I
know these are a lot of questions but it's a big investment I want to get it
right so would appreciate any and all suggestions.  Thanks!  Dolores  oops
'nuther question - I have also been looking at Hewlett Packard and
Toshiba's - has anyone dealt withan on-line computer 'store' with which they
had a good or bad experience?


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