My parents are computer shopping. They have found one that they liked. It’s an HP and is really a good deal right now at Best Buy. Since they didn’t have any in-stock, we will have to go back Saturday to get it. Since we were out I thought that we’d check some other places in town that sell computers.

I was surprised by a couple of things. The main thing was that computers now don’t come with a monitor. I guess this makes sense since they can leave it out, and the buyer can customize their system by buying the monitor they really want. I was also surprised that the prices were sort of competitive but not when you factored in that the Best Buy computer comes with not only a monitor but a printer. My parents really liked this “all in one” idea when buying a computer. Their printer is on its last leg, so they need a new one. Their current monitor is only 13 inches.

So, sometimes it’s good to shop around but when you find a great deal, chances are you won’t find anything that can compare to it.

Microsoft Vista is now available. I remember when Windows 95 went on sale at midnight. It was a big deal. I’m not so sure I’m all that “wowed” with Vista. My parents are buying a new computer and will go with Vista. I’m not sure they need all the media and other features of Vista. It hopefully will play solitaire well for my folks.

I’ll at least to get to tinker with it and see if it is something I want to upgrade to. I have a feeling though that I’ll upgrade when XP is no longer supported.

My parents are very frugal, but I think they have finally been convinced that they need a new computer. Their old computer has a floppy disk, which is not standard on most, if any, new computers. My Mom does some ebay selling and uses a Sony Mavica digital camera. It is 7 years old and takes floppy disks. So, not only will they need a new compter but a new digital camera as well.

Her old digital camera was a pain to operate. It didn’t take great pictures. In fact, they installed a fluorescent light in the computer room so that it would take better pictures for ebay stuff. It was also a hassle to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer. Needless to say, current technology is ten times better.

So I’m going to let Mom borrow my old digital camera. It’s a Kodak EasyShare. If she likes it, then she can have it. I think she’ll be amazed by how much she can fit on a small media card.

Most any new computers on the market should fit their needs. They are casual users who like to check email and ebay. I do recommend they get at least a 17 inch LCD monitor. Not only is it a nice screen size, it takes up less room than CRTs. In fact, when I bought my CRT monitor Best Buy was discontinuing selling CRTs.

It’ll be fun when they do get their computer as it is always fun to setup a new computer.

My computer woes are over for now. My problem with my computer was indeed a loose part. I removed the CPU fan and put it back on. My computer is now working again.

I had suspected that something might have come loose with transporting the computer. Thank goodness this fix didn’t cost us any money.

Apple’s big news for the Consumer Electronics Show is the new iPhone. It’s an iPod as well as a cell phone. Apparently Steve Jobs is really excited about this new product.

The iPhone combines a phone, a touch screen iPod, and an Internet communications device. I haven’t read about what services will offer the iPhone. The iPhone is pending FCC approval and is not for sale just yet.

If Apple comes out with their own phone service for the iPhone, then that may peak my interest in this. The iPhone looks to have some cool features, but plenty of other phones have just as many bells and whistles. Time will tell if this is a hit or miss with consumers.