Dell(previously sony) vs IBM laptops

[CocaCola5]

Which is more durable, reliable(ie which holds up better over time). Ibm's looks much better imo but Sony's is right up there too if you know what I mean. I am looking in the $1500-2000 price range btw.

 

[anthrax]

I would recommend Dell better service and cheaper accessory cost.......
but If you have to choose between Sony and IBM...take IBM......
are you by any chance looking at the Sony VIAO R505?

Here is just a warning ....Sony's rips you off on stuff like batteries...250 bucks for the standard one....

 

[CocaCola5]

This is the situation, I am not knowledgeable of the differing models but I've decided it should have a 16" lcd, I saw a Sony at the store today with the 16.1" and thinks it's worth it to go for it over the 14-15".

ED: I will probably base my decision on who has the best 16" lcd models, theres a very REAL difference between 14.1 and 16.1", I'll skimp on something to have the larger screen if I have too.🙂

 

[RamzaBeoulve]

I've had my Sony VAIO for almost 2 years now, and it hasn't failed me once 🙂

Quality products from Sony, that's for sure... however, look at IBM Deathstar hard drives for desktops. Not the most reliable things, are they? 🙂

My vote goes for a Sony notebook.

 

[CocaCola5]

Originally posted by: anthrax
I would recommend Dell better service and cheaper accessory cost.......
but If you have to choose between Sony and IBM...take IBM......
are you by any chance looking at the Sony VIAO R505?

Here is just a warning ....Sony's rips you off on stuff like batteries...250 bucks for the standard one....

Damn, seriously thats BS, Sony OFF the list now...IBM vs Dell. 🙂

Originally posted by: RamzaBeoulve
I've had my Sony VAIO for almost 2 years now, and it hasn't failed me once 🙂

Quality products from Sony, that's for sure... however, look at IBM Deathstar hard drives for desktops. Not the most reliable things, are they? 🙂

My vote goes for a Sony notebook.

Again, the battery price is too much...

 

[anthrax]

hmm....
do you have and specific requrements inmind ? like gaming ? light weight?




btw.. Sony Battery prices

 

[CocaCola5]

A question about Dell, are their lappy encrypted(ie like XP) where you need to contact them in order to install/reinstall a new OS or change a password?

 

[CocaCola5]

 

[anthrax]

the bad news is that I think Sony is the only one with a 16 inch screen...as for XP product activation......think you have to do that for every copy of OEM copy of XP now......

 

[CocaCola5]

Originally posted by: anthrax
the bad news is that I think Sony is the only one with a 16 inch screen...as for XP product activation......think you have to do that for every copy of OEM copy of XP now......

Really, thats a bit suprising since IBM and Dell are like laptop kings🙂.

ED: The activation I had in mind was the kind put onto the laptops mainboard itself, not sure though.

 

[CocaCola5]

My final specs:
16.1(or 15.1) screen,
CPU: P3/P4
RAM: doesn't matter
HDD: " "
Optical Drive: cdrw/dvd combo OR just dvd
connections: 56k, 10/100, pcmcia, USB(2.0?), tv-out, monitor out.

I'll check if Sony has these specs on their 16.1 screen models.

 

[murphy55d]

Have you checked out Toshiba? IMO they are 2nd only to IBM in the laptop world.

how bout this?

 

[LikeLinus]

Toshiba's are FAR from reliable and are probably 2nd to only a hot steaming load 🙂

Toshiba is being sued (AGAIN) over a known flaw in one of their laptop lines. They released the product knowing that it overheats and shuts down.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&threadid=847042&highlight_key=y

Plus they've had other problems with other lines as well. Stear clear unless you like to be bent over.

I'd go with Dell personally. Although everyone says (but not many people can afford) IBM is better build quality. I've owned 2 Dell Insprions and never had a problem. Don't know much about Sony, but those battery prices are fricken insane. Image what they'd charge for repairs. Ouch.

 

[GizmoFreak]

Toshiba has a 16 inch lcd model. I think it's the 1955 or something like that. It's absolutely huge though. Cool feature is that it has a detachable wireless keyboard.

Toshiba and Sony are the only ones with 16 inch lcd's I think.

Other than that, Gateway has a 15.7inch lcd on their 600 series