Guide to Buying a Used Laptop

What do you need? What can you afford? Will it run?

Determining what you need:

Is Windows 95 compatible with the programs you'll need to run?
If so you'll need at least a 70mhz processor with at least 100ram. If you need to run the Internet or larger programs you should have at least 80mhz processor with 120ram or higher. The slower your processor, generally the more ram you need. For instance a 90mhz Win 95 computer can run the Internet and another program with 120ram but a 133mhz processor can run the Internet and another program with just 94-100ram.

Do you need windows 2000 or higher?
If yes, you need at least 133mhz processor, 3GB hard drive and at least 100ram. If you must use the Internet you should have at least 180mhz processor as well.

Do you need the Internet?
56k modem is the least that must be included with your laptop (anyone can get dialup for free from net zero). Make sure it is INCLUDED rather than just having a slot for 56k modem. If you want wireless you need a wifi wireless laptop card. If you want networking with home computers you need a pc100/nic card included.

How big should your hard drive be?
For Windows 2000 you'll need 3GB hard drive or higher, for win 95 1.5 to 2GB HD will suffice.

What drives do you need?
If you don't have Internet connection or can't download the programs that you need from the Internet you must have a cdrom or a pc100 card and network with your home computers. A floppy drive isn't completely necessary but if your computer completely dies you must have a floppy disk drive to create a boot disk, unless you can create one on your home computer.

Other Considerations:

-It's best to buy a laptop with the Windows version you want already installed. If your laptop does not have Windows 95, or 2000 Pro already installed you will have to buy the windows program of your choice or barrow copies from a friend. Windows Software is expensive and the laptop MUST have a cdrom to install them.

-Older laptops parts are not interchangeable and are hard to put in, so anything that doesn't come with them will have to be bought for your specific model.