Member-only story
Nothing worse than feeling like a fool.
I’ve saved up all year to be able to buy a laptop. A new laptop, not just a new-to-me laptop. When you live on Social Security disability benefits, this is not an easy feat. But I knew that as much as truly love my little Chromebook, it wasn’t going to go the long haul with me.
I have two other gently used laptops. One was a gift, but the software was proprietary so it doesn’t update and no longer works — think ‘blue screen of death’ scenario. The other is a HP Beats that I love because it was previously owned by a creator. Cat hair overwhelmed the cooling unit, something a friend’s son offered to fix and simply couldn’t. My computer replacement part was caught in shipping quagmires long before your holiday gifts.
So I decided to take the plunge and buy my very own computer with the features I liked.
The features I liked part is where it all went wrong.
I asked some reliable knowers for feedback, Now usually I would go to a site that I know — HP, Dell, Best Buy. But someone made a casual comment about using off brand sites instead of being an “old person” who can only shop name brand. That stung a little bit. So when a good deal on the computer I thought I wanted popped up at newegg.com, I was thrilled. And I pounced.
Fast forward to delivery day. I opened it and excitedly set it up only to realize the back-lit keypad was not working. I searched help files…
