The Right Equipment

It used to be that authors wrote manuscripts by hand or by typewriters. Either way had to be tedious, not to mention time consuming. I don't know any authors who are satisfied with their first drafts.

With the dawn of computers, we can move and change words, whole chapters and almost an entire manuscript around, if we so desire.

The downside is computers need to work, which sometimes doesn't happen either through hardware or software malfunctions, age, or hackers. The last can occur at some point through an Internet virus, yet these days authors are helpless to sell books without being connected to the Internet.

Right now I'm in the process of figuring out a new laptop computer, since mine is past its prime and has a nasty habit of freezing on me when I need it. I'm vacillating between getting the cheapest adequate one or looking for more features, in case my desktop computer decides it wants to misbehave as well.

I found a decent Dell laptop for $498 at Walmart, but then to get all the Microsoft Office programs features that would be $99 per year more, $44 for accident insurance, 1 year limited warranty. To go through Dell, the same computer runs close at $902 for their 2 year service contract, plus accident insurance tacked on, and only one year on the Office programs.

Or, I can get a tablet instead of a laptop, but then which one? Also, I do want Microsoft Office capability. Microsoft Surface RT sounded like a good buy at $349, but then I found all kinds of reviews saying it's not so great.

It's all totally confusing. I'll keep investigating, and hope that inspiration will strike, or lower prices. At least I still have my desktop computer, fingers crossed, still working!

What about you? Do you own a laptop computer or tablet or both? Do you have any recommendations or warnings?

Morgan Mandel writes mysteries, thrillers and
romance.

Check out all her books at:
Website: http://www.morganmandel.com
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Twitter: @MorganMandel