Vaio N130 USB port question: emergency, may buy today!

Hi, I am visiting my elderly parents and need to get them a basic laptop ASAP (like, today or tomorrow), to fix up for their impending 2 month RV trip. Hate to buy off the shelf but the preconfigured $849 N130 looks more than fine for their needs. (For the sake of this post, suffice to say that for several reasons, including screen resolutions and glossiness they can stand etc., it is our only choice at this time, if I am going to meet the "deadline" before I depart.)

My only real worry is the USB ports. (There are only two, which I couldn't live with but they probably can. Not all that conveniently though.) But my REAL concern is that both ports are on the right side, near the front. Even the reviewer of this model (link at bottom) recommends an external mouse with it. And even if the touchpad was great I know my parents will not want to use a touchpad most of the time.

But, I take it since Bluetooth is not available on this model that the mouse would have to plug in to a USB port... meaning that not only the connector but the whole mouse cord would be sticking out and laying around the right hand side where the mouse was being used?? That sounds like it couldn't possibly be more annoying, especially when space is limited??!! (How in the world could they have thought that was a good place to put the only USB ports!!)

So my possibly-silly question is, is there something I'm not getting here, and this machine really could have an external mouse connected to it in another way besides through one of the USB ports? We may buy this machine this afternoon or tomorrow, so rush answer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=96641&highlight=n130

 

Using a wireless notebook mouse with a USB adapter?

 

Hi USApatriot, I hate to admit it but I'm not sure what you mean. I thought wireless devices required Bluetooth, and from the review I take it this model doesn't have Bluetooth capability... But if it can in fact be done with a USB adaptor, would that be some clunky mechanism that would stick out of the right hand side too? Thanks!

 

Well it would look like a USB thumbdrive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...83407048+1083007044&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=65

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826105162

 

Hi, sorry for the delayed thanks! Those adaptors will be a good thing to keep in mind in general. I ended up having the N130G for a day, then returned it. The measley number of USB ports, and several other things about it, were just not satisfactory for us. Having a different brand/model rush ordered. Thanks again!