Computer update

And an accounting
*
Here's an update and accounting of our computer situation. Since our bleg last week when the old computer croaked, 19 of you have kindly donated a total of $630 to help us purchase a replacement. The contributions range from $5 to $150, averaging $33.16 per donation. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we will be able to purchase a pretty decent machine. First, the geek stuff...

After a lot of comparison shopping and combing over specs, we've decided to get a Hewlitt-Packard G72-c55dx laptop. It has:

• Intel P6100 dual core processor clocked at 2.0 gHz
• 3 MB L3 cache and a 1066 mHz system bus
• 4 MB DDR3 main memory
• 500 GB ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
• DVD+RW/CD-RW optical drive
• Intel HD graphics, 1696 MB
• 17.3-inch LED display, 1600 x 900 px
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• Digital media reader (card reader)
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• Buil-in wireless card (802.11)
• Weight: 6.6 pounds, Thickness: 1.5 inches
• Price: $449.00 (at Best Buy, with 19 units in stock)

Compared to our late Dell (still haven't heard from the repair tech, but we're pretty sure he will want more than it's worth to fix it, if it's still serviceable), this is a lot of computer. For the money we think it's a heck of a deal.

The numbers break down this way:

$630.00 total donations so far
- 25.60 PayPal fees
_______
$604.40 cash available
-449.99 computer price
_______
$154.41 cash before tax
- 37.13 local & state tax
_______
$117.28 cash after tax
-119.00 computer rental
_______
$ -1.72 out of pocket

Couldn't have worked out much better. We've e-mailed a thank-you note to each individual donor. You've literally saved these two blogs from going inactive until March, 2011 (when I burn the last of my retirement savings - they won't let me get my grubby paws on it until then).

God bless all of our readers, a few of whom wrote to say that they couldn't afford to make a donation, but would remember us in their prayers. Believe me, I know exactly what that is like. I believe to my soul that the prayers were as much a help as the money. We are humbled and grateful for both.

Meanwhile, we'll keep blogging our backsides off. We owe you at least that much. Let us know how we're doing.

Best,

Update: Heard from the tech Wednesday afternoon. As expected, he wants more to repair the old Dell than it's worth, so sold it to him for his diagnostic charges. On a brighter note, picked up the new laptop after leaving the repair shop, and will unbox it and set it up over the holidays. The rental computer is paid up until the middle of January.

- JP