What Should I Expect To Spend?

[wesfau2]

Need a computing device capable of running the Office suite, create/edit pdfs, and process online research quickly.

Nothing fancy and no heavy-lifting required, obviously.

What should I expect to spend (peripherals included...will also need a quality print/scan/fax option)?

Should I buy out of the box, since this is a simple setup, or build/assemble my own?

[Townhallsavoy]

Tree fitty.

[GH2001]

sounds to me like you just need a basic laptop.

Like THS said, 350 at your local wally marks.

[wesfau2]

Follow up question:

Protecting my info will be paramount.  Do I go external drive or cloud/carbonite for backup?

What about antivirus?  People seem to have wildly differing opinions on this issue.  Remember, my system will have to satisfy insurance audits and whatnot (so no super 133t shit).

[WiregrassTiger]

I would go with a IBM Selectric, although Royal and Underwood make more affordable models that can do just as much. Sometimes, the keys get stuck on my old Royal but it doesn't require electricity.

I hope this helps.

[GH2001]

Follow up question:

Protecting my info will be paramount.  Do I go external drive or cloud/carbonite for backup?

What about antivirus?  People seem to have wildly differing opinions on this issue.  Remember, my system will have to satisfy insurance audits and whatnot (so no super 133t shit).

Kaspersky is the only AV Ive ever used worth a shit.

I use an external for sensitive stuff and only plug it in when using it. For all else, music, pics, personal doodads, I just use the built in one. Never had a security issue.

All that said, I do most of my stuff on a Mac (even Windows/Office) which is a little harder to penetrate for hackers. But even on my Dell, Kaspersky didnt let a gottdamm thing through.

[DnATL]

He can use a smaller external drive, since his kiddie porn might be like AWK's midget porn (smaller file sizes)

[AUChizad]

Follow up question:

Protecting my info will be paramount.  Do I go external drive or cloud/carbonite for backup?

What I use for my illegal empire:

http://www.drobo.com