Acer vs. IBM vs. Toshiba

[Bloodstein]

I've got an option to buy either 3 laptop for the same price (with similar specs ie. Pentium M, etc...). Dunno which one to go for. I thought IBM was the way to go but someone complained 'bout some hissing sound? Someone also mentioned 'bout probs with Acer's USB. Comments?

 

[JZilla]

It would be better if you saw them live, before making the decision. But...shooting quickly...

IBM
Toshiba
Acer

 

[Bloodstein]

It would be better if you saw them live, before making the decision.

Yeah, I agree but the dealer i talked to says he has to order it. Which means, I can't "see and buy".

Run far and fast from the Acer.....

Why? Actually, my preference has always been slightly towards Acer. Cuz Toshiba's and IBMs dun look cool. Acer has the funky keyboard thing, etc.

But I'm really concerned 'bout why most ppl dislike Acer. Is this due to the general perception that all Asian products are inferior or is there a concrete reason behind it?
I choose Acer cuz it's good looking, light and the most powerful of the three(powerful according to CNET anyway). Battery life is also ok for it.

 

[slyedog]

acer laptops are as bad as the rest of the acer products. nothing but trouble. the worse part is when
you have trouble with them, you cannot find the parts to repair them. no support at all. i would go
with the IBM. of course i own one and am biased.

 

[Bloodstein]

See, the thing is that no one actually mentions anything specific 'bout the prob...

As for the availability of parts being a prob, here in NZ, that's not quite as big a prob...

And as for big companies not using acer, in asia...particularly south east asia, you'll find most big companies using acer...

 

[jschuk]

How do you know the IBM or Toshiba aren't Asian products as well? They are outsourcing for quite a few of their products. I would not hesitate recommending Acer as their quality has really improved since the early PIII machines. The only thing I don't like about Acer is that I have not seen many of the new models fail, since I get paid for working on malfunctioning units. I would shop by features or price.

 

[Bloodstein]

I was seriously considering making a purchase on the Acer....

But I read an article just a few mins ago on theinquirer that Pentium M chips are expected to fall in price in June....

Oh well, it's one thing or another....

 

[JZilla]

Which Acer is it ?

 

[Bloodstein]

Acer 800X something....

 

[JZilla]

Originally posted by: Bloodstein
Acer 800X something....

If it is the Travelmate 800, then be warned of the following I have read while researching it.

The dual monitor output is blurry, someone on the newsgroups said you could correct it with the monitor settings, but I think it is worth noting, especially if you need the dual display. But many people are complaining about the dual display output.

Someone else said on the newsgroups, that the fan was on quite a lot, despite it putting out cold air, and the fan shouldn't exactly be quiet. I don't know how seriously one should take these comments, these are probably a few people that has gotten a lemon. I really don't know if this true, just telling you what I discovered while researching the TM800.

But, at least here in Europe, the Acer TM800 is one of the best bang for the buck centrinos available.

 

[Paperlantern]

I work in alocation that is Acer Authorized. We never see an acer in for service, and if we do its WAY out of its warranty, and its in for some stupid software problem, or the user broke it. Acer never fails, at least if they do ive never seen it happen. and parts arent an issue, they are easy to find anyway. Regardless alot of the internal parts are name brand (samsung and sharp screens to name a couple).... i dunno, thats just going by what ive experienced

 

[Shalmanese]

Oh, bs, if you havent seen an acer fail, then you havent seen enough Acer's. EVERY computer mfg, regardless of quality or reputation will have machines that fail. its unavoidable. Im guessing the reason you've never seen an acer is because not as many people are buying Acer's as IBM's or Toshiba's

 

[privatebreyer]

Originally posted by: Shalmanese
Oh, bs, if you havent seen an acer fail, then you havent seen enough Acer's. EVERY computer mfg, regardless of quality or reputation will have machines that fail. its unavoidable. Im guessing the reason you've never seen an acer is because not as many people are buying Acer's as IBM's or Toshiba's

So are you saying Acer's are "accident prone", or just that they arn't common enough or people to see many "accidents"?

 

[Shalmanese]

Im saying that if Paperlantern has never had an acer in for service, then he hasn't sold enouh Acers to be qualified to comment on their relative relability.

I have NFI what the Acer is like. I've use IBM exculsively now.

 

[Paperlantern]

we dont sell acer, we srevice them. Authorized Service Center, we are not a dealer, we service the entire state of ohio and dont get that many in for service, and again, i SAID i'm only going on personal experience, i wasnt making ANY factual statements, because there arent any in the computer world, all computer equipment has thier own issues... god i swear ppl just want to start fights sometimes. I dont see that many toshibas either, but we arent toshiba authorized, a friend of mine and business associate accross town IS a toshiba authorized service center and they get TONS of them in... so i dunno, guess its not really that good of a guage of performance/reliability. and i'm sorry if i was spouting off "bs".

 

[8bit]

Toshibas are made in Japan and Philippines, and their quality is as good as any other makes. I'd say run away from Acer notebooks, 4-5year ago because the display craps out easily but now they seem to have improved.