[Nucky]

Just take a moment and call the Apple store before you buy anything. Explain your needs and I'm sure they will take care of you properly. Mac is a little pricey but once you see the 27 inch screen you'll be sold. Take Care.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

I agree. If the OP is happy with the current laptop, a nice large monitor would be an inexpensive upgrade.

Also add a separate keyboard for easier typing and you basically have a desktop.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by petsetc

Have you considered just getting an external monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse which are easily attached to your laptop to meet your needs. On our last upgrade several years ago, DW and I did this and find in much better/easier than a home and road machine.

That is an excellent idea! The laptop I have has 16 GB and my only real complaint is the size of the screen. So I need a wireless keyboard. I will check out Amazon today for the monitor and keyboard. Thank you so much for your suggestion. What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Nucky

Just take a moment and call the Apple store before you buy anything. Explain your needs and I'm sure they will take care of you properly. Mac is a little pricey but once you see the 27 inch screen you'll be sold. Take Care.

Nucky I am a windows girl through and through. Never in my dreams would I ever change that. I worked 30 years on my windows software programs and know them in and out. I realize you love your Apple as much as I love my windows. Thank you for the suggestion. :-)

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by jnieman

...What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

Depends on the ports your laptop has. HDMI would be good. VGA is a possibility. Others, guys?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by jnieman

That is an excellent idea! The laptop I have has 16 GB and my only real complaint is the size of the screen. So I need a wireless keyboard. I will check out Amazon today for the monitor and keyboard. Thank you so much for your suggestion. What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

You can try the wireless keyboard, but I found with my tablet that it sometimes has limitations. I do like the wireless mouse though.

As to 'wired' keyboards, most come with a USB connection so all you have to do is to plug it into one of the ports on your laptop. Most laptops will recognize the driver for your keyboard and will basically install itself.

Good luck.

[biker1]

A couple of random thoughts on this subject. I have been using a laptop with external mouse, keyboard, and monitor for 20 years.

1) Check into getting a docking station - generally makes things easier as all the cables are connected to the docking station and not your laptop. When you need to travel, just pop the laptop out of the docking station.
2) Get an external mouse.
3) A USB-based mouse and keyboard is fine - it doesn't have to be wireless.
4) The cable from the laptop to a monitor will depend on what your laptop supports. My setup uses DVI from my docking station to my monitor but my docking station is 5 years old.
5) Before selecting a monitor, it may be worthwhile to check to see what resolutions are supported by the video card in your laptop. It is possible that some of the larger monitors have a native resolution that is not supported by your video card.

Originally Posted by jnieman

That is an excellent idea! The laptop I have has 16 GB and my only real complaint is the size of the screen. So I need a wireless keyboard. I will check out Amazon today for the monitor and keyboard. Thank you so much for your suggestion. What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Depends on the ports your laptop has. HDMI would be good. VGA is a possibility. Others, guys?

Here's a photo of my ports. I also have two additional USB ports on the other side.

[biker1]

The left most port is HDMI. This is good. Look for an external monitor that supports HDMI. Check the native video resolutions that your video card supports if you are getting a large monitor.

Originally Posted by jnieman

Here's a photo of my ports. I also have two additional USB ports on the other side.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Here's a photo of my ports. I also have two additional USB ports on the other side.

Looks like the one on the left is HDMI. That would be very good. Just make sure the monitor also has an HDMI port.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Looks like the one on the left is HDMI. That would be very good. Just make sure the monitor also has an HDMI port.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

[retiredguy123]

I would buy it from Best Buy, and get an Intel I7, or at least an I5 processor with 12 or 16 G of ram. Also, make sure that it has a built in wireless adapter, which will be very easy to connect to your WiFi lan. Also, you may want to make sure it has an HDMI output because that is the new standard for connecting to a monitor or TV. No need to get a bundle, just purchase the monitor and keyboard separately, which are very inexpensive.

[spring_chicken]

Originally Posted by jnieman

Nucky I am a windows girl through and through. Never in my dreams would I ever change that. I worked 30 years on my windows software programs and know them in and out. I realize you love your Apple as much as I love my windows. Thank you for the suggestion. :-)

Plus, one does not have to go mac to get a 27 inch screen.

[jnieman]

Amazon.com: HP Pavilion 22xw 21.5-in IPS LED Backlit Monitor: Computers & Accessories Thinking about buying this monitor.

Here are the specs for my current laptop. I am planning to just plug the monitor into my laptop and get a wireless long range keyboard and mouse.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

My only question is the screen resolution. The new monitor's is higher. Does that mean my laptop will not support the higher number? Thanks.

[saratogaman]

Originally Posted by blyarbrough

I can suggest you try Village Mobile PC repair in the shopping center across from Wal-marts on 441.....352-245-1500 as for Thomas Hodgson he's the owner.....I got a desk top from him a few months ago.....and the Tech support is great...

Great, local custom-built machines with top-grade components...sized to meet your needs.
Got mine with Windows 7 Professional...my choice over the much-ballyhooed Windows 10...didn't need Cortina or Edge or whatever.
Make a visit...he knows his stuff, been at it for years (no "Mr. Warmth" but who cares).