kirstenbernar's reply history at Help.com

Get the best you can get with your budget. Getting a cheap, ****** laptop will mean repairs within a few months, loss of data and general inconvenience. In the long run, it may cost you more, and not just in money. Laptops are generally quite fragile; you want to get the best you can, so that you’re sure it won’t fall apart a few weeks after taking it out of the packaging. You also want something reliable, that won’t crash, or end up with a damaged harddrive.

Either way, get something with (at least) a CD Writer (DVD writer is better). You’ll want to frequently back up your data - just in case.

P.S. Thanks for your help with my problem. It’s very much appreciated, and made me feel a lot better.

It has negative connotations for me. It sounds like an archaic barbaric form of treatment. A torture method. I wouldn’t go for it. I’m sure their are other treatments for you.