A New Travel Computer ...and a New Knee Coming

Yesterday was a day of new things.

I got a new computer to travel with.  I am preparing to head out of town, via plane, to visit my son and his wife in Fairbanks, AK followed by a visit my other son in Minneapolis, MN before heading home.  I am hoping to travel with as little luggage as I can, but I know how I am, so, even though it is not going to be happening for a while, I have already begun to think about what I will be taking.  And for those of you who know me well, stop laughing!!!

Since I love being connected, I knew I would need to take a laptop to go along.  I have two.  Both are Windows 7 machines.  I must preserve my Windows 7 machines as the software that I prefer to use for my embroidery does not run on Windows 10, so I am nervous about taking either of them in case one might get damaged or lost.  But I did not want to spend a great deal of money on a new laptop.  There are just some things I do not want to do want to do on my IPad.  I prefer a Windows computer.

SO I have been looking for a bit at some cheap, bargain laptops.  But I could just not bring myself to click the 'buy' button.  But I finally did.  I had seen on Groupon a refurbished Dell Lattitude computer.  Designed for traveling and working in difficult areas like construction and only 10.1 inches wide, it seemed like a nice alternative.  Several that I had seen were running full blown Windows 10.  A slower processor and a smaller hard drive (160 GB), it was still good to great to take on a plane.  No need for it's own bag, it could easily fit into a larger purse.

There were no reviews on Groupon, so I Googled the make and model and here they were also on Amazon... my favorite online retailer.  The ones on Amazon were a couple of dollars cheaper and the reviews were excellent.  Before clicking the add to cart button, I looked at the little area where Amazon will have used or alternative sellers.  Groupon was selling these computers for $90.  Amazon was selling them for $87.  But under the used, they listed used but refurbed models with the same options as the Groupon computer.  That price was $58.  So I threw caution to the wind and ordered it.  It was being shipped from New Holland, PA, so it arrived in no time.  It looks new, no scratches anywhere.  I did not get a 160 GB hard drive, the one in my machine was 250GB.  Windows 10 and when I signed on using my Microsoft account, my backgrounds on my other Win 10 machines loaded on this one.

I have also been subscribing to the Microsoft Office Suite at a cost of $99 per year.  I can load the suite on 5 computers, but I only had 4 that I work with, so it got loaded on this little computer.  I copied my Desktop files and many of my shortcuts came over.  Logged on to Google and using Chrome, all of my contacts came over and I have access to Goggle Drive where I can move files to access them anywhere I have Internet.  So I am set up.  It is just the perfect solution at a better than perfect price.

I will get pictures of it later.

My other big news is that I went to see my knee doctor yesterday.  They took X-Rays and when Dr. Renz came in, he asked about my issue.  Being very proud, I explained that I had been having some issues and thought I should get in to him before it got as bad as the right knee had gotten.  With no smile at all, he looked at me and stated, "Well, you missed that mark." My left knee is shot.  There were several options, but getting a replacement was the best option.  So on October 24th, I will head to Lancaster General Hospital to have the left knee done.  This will have it over and done with before the bad weather begins in the winter.  Once I finish rehab I will be walking without knee pain for the first time in many many years.  I cannot wait!!

There was a meeting at church last night.  The bishops called us in.  The news was not good, but I will save this topic for it's own blog entry.

In the meantime, I will keep tweaking this computer... I am writing on it as I type....so it is ready to fly with me.