I'm considering buying a low-end Dell Inspiron B130. I'm thinking 1.6 to 1.8 GHz processor, 256 or 512 MB of RAM and 40 or 60 GB hard drive. I would just like to have an extra computer to use when my kids are over and have my desktop tied up playing Counterstrike Source, FEAR, D&D Online, Prey, Ghost Recon, etc. By the time four kids all get their turn, it's time for bed and Dad gets absolutely nothing done. I thought it might be nice to have an extra computer and I really thought the wireless/portability features would be nice. Here are my main thoughts on how I'd use this laptop:

General web surfing/email
Banking w/Microsoft Money
Genealogy research with Family Tree Maker
General word processing/spreadsheets with Microsoft Office 2003
Watching an occasional DVD in the bedroom or the kids watching on a trip in my vehicle
Using to backup or temporarily store digital photos from my siblings' various memory cards whenever we're all in at my parents' who have no computer
The most gaming this system might potentially see would be an old RPG like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale or maybe the web based Runescape if the system were up to them

What is the general consensus? Knowing going into this that this is a really low-end system and definitely not up to anything resembling modern gaming, would this system be up to most of what I want to use it for? Thanks in advance for any advice anyone might be able to provide.

Sincerely,
- Byron Followell

Message Edited by hairbandfan80s on 08-19-200602:46 PM