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L A P T O P!

A

Alphathree33

Platinum Member
Considering buying a laptop...

Since I can't build it myself, I obviously have to buy one pre-made.

Gateway is overpriced. I refuse to buy IBM products based on past experience with IBM systems and hard drives. NEC.. nah... Toshiba...nah

I want to order online. And dell has the best system for that.

Unfortunately my colleagues at work have had major problems with their dell laptops and my best friend has a dell with these two big marks on the LCD because when he closes the case something in the keyboard area presses up against it.... and I don't really want to buy a dell if I'm going to have problems like this.

WHAT SHOULD I DO!?
 
I still think you should get yourself a Dell dude.
My 8100 has no smudge marks on the sceen.
I would get the 8200 if I were you at this point in time.🙂
 
Why did you give Toshiba a nah?

Look at Toshiba, Sony, or Dell

You also didn't mention what type of laptop (Sub notebook, ultra thin, normal, super sized desktop replacement monster)
 
Dell, sony, and toshiba make terrific labtops.........if you don't like them your better off buying an emachine.😀
 
Sony's are crap.
I used to sell them. Also there waranty requires it to be worked on only buy Sony techs, meaning you have to either have a Sony service center in your area or you have to send it off(at your cost). The screens on them are by far the nicest out there but the rest of the notebook is crap.

I say Dell or Toshiba.
 
Ya, take Toshiba off the 'nah' list. One of my partners just got a new Toshiba and I will have to say that it's pretty dang nice. I don't know the model number but he paid about $1800 for it after some nice discounts. I always didn't like Toshibas since they always seemed to use the point stick mouse, I never realized they started offering the touchpad which I prefer...just goes to show a person that keeping an open mind pays off when considering a big purchase...

Sony makes some nice ones too but I always hear "stories" when it comes to getting them fixed...
 
If you think IBM Thinkpads are not nice, you definitely have not read any reviews of them and as someone else mentioned, you might want to just stick with eMachine.
 


<< I refuse to buy IBM products based on past experience with IBM systems and hard drives >>


Then you better do some research on laptop's
Because every manufacturer uses each other's parts.
You'll find Dell's, Toshiba's, Sony's, etc using IBM parts. Especially screens and hd's.
There's no rime or reason to it though.
For example if you get a Dell with an UXGA screen, it can come from 3 different manufacturers.
The same for hd's.

I wouldn't knock the IBM. They are very expensive, but they are also very well built.

 
I'm in the same boat. But I have limited my decision down to IBM, Dell, and Toshiba. My concerns for them are that I've heard Dell and IBM have started using cheaper casings than they previously have. My concern with the Toshiba is that Satellites from a few years ago (2500 series), while well-built, were simply horrible to look at. The screens were years behind the time. I would appreciate it if someone would please comment on my concerns and help lead me in the right direction.
 
I have an IBM T-Series... been using it for about half a year now... not too bad... the only problem I have with it, is the stupid "function" key is too darn close to the control key... so when I press it, my laptop does weird things... especially after I installed 2000Pro on it. Aside from that, I haven't had much to complain about it... about the lack of a touch-pad... well, I bring along a mouse all the time, so that's never been a problem for me... it all depends on what you're willing to compromise with... and what are the "essentials" you can't live without. 😉 hope this helps!
 
I'd recommend Sony or Dell for laptops. The Dells can be pricy, but they have good parts as well as having some modularity on their inspiron models(My friends inspiron 8000 has a socket for both the CPU and the vid card.) The better Sony's also use good parts, and the almost all come with a plethora of multimedia ports(Firewire, USBs, Video out, Memory Stick if you care about that). As far as the Sony warranty goes, I would consider buying some kind of extended warranty or service plan on a laptop just because you are going to be lugging it around with you and it isnt something that you can fix yourself. I think our 3 year service plan at Best Buy(not trying to advertise, but I know their prices cuz I work there) is like $250ish for laptops. We do cover complete cost of repairs though. What are you going to be using it for? Do you play games at all? Or is this strictly a work laptop? Keep in mind, even with the more modular Dell models, it isn't easy or cheap to upgrade a laptop, so get a model that is capable of doing everything you want it to do and what you may want it to do in the near future.🙂
 
On the Dell's you can swap Video cards as long as the Bios supports it.. For example... I could upgrade to a Radeon 7500 Mobile no problem at all. Last I checked, the card was $169 from Dell's spare parts dept.
 
Writing this note on an IBM T series laptop Ive had for over a year now...very solid and allows me "hotplug" my network and power connections. Although, I am eyeing one of those Toshiba models for the spouse in Bestbuy.
 
My sister has a Dell 8100 and it's absolutely gorgeous with UXGA screen. The only problem I have with it is case design. Compared to other manufacturers Dell cases are really flimsy and creaks. The keyboard is also subpar. She doesn't have a problem with the keys touching the screen yet but judging by the case, it's highly likely. Same with you I would not get IBM, they just plain too ugly. I've read the reviews. Sure they are great but still, you gotta stare at it.

I just ordered a Gateway Solo 9550LS. I don't know what you mean by them being expensive. A comparable Dell would cost the same when I ordered. The benefits would be a much better and tighter piece fitting case. I know, I checked it out at Gateway Country before ordering. It just feels more solid than my sister's 8100. On that note, having a Gateway country nearby means I can take it there to be serviced. Another benefit is that Gateway seems to be one of the last manufacturers that offer 3 year warranty standard. And if you've ever owned a laptop or LCD screens, you need every bit of that insurance. Dead pixels are horrible annoyances.

Negatives on the Gateway would be no UXGA, have to settle for SXGA. But I get a bigger 15.7" screen. Aesthetically the case doesn't look as cool as the Dell. And for me in CA, I had to pay taxes. Didn't have to for Dell.

I'd say check out Dell, Gateway, and Sony if you want to play games on your laptop. If not just get a Compaq Duron processor. As for what I recommend, I bought a Gateway. Screen size is everything to me. Too bad the biggest screen Sony comes with an ati card or I would have pounced on it. So I went for next best.
 


<< If you think IBM Thinkpads are not nice, you definitely have not read any reviews of them and as someone else mentioned, you might want to just stick with eMachine. >>






usually I agree with you but not this time.

my IBM has been to their service center three times in 3 weeksn and it's still not 100% fixed.

it crashed not even in a day after they sent me back the system. not to mention their driver support is not good at all.

I would probably suggest Toshiba for laptop




Darno
 
I'll have to check-out the Gateways. I think IBM and Dell are off of my list. Now it is between Toshiba and Gateway.
 


<<

<< If you think IBM Thinkpads are not nice, you definitely have not read any reviews of them and as someone else mentioned, you might want to just stick with eMachine. >>



usually I agree with you but not this time.

my IBM has been to their service center three times in 3 weeksn and it's still not 100% fixed.

it crashed not even in a day after they sent me back the system. not to mention their driver support is not good at all.

I would probably suggest Toshiba for laptop

Darno >>



Which model of Thinkpad do you have? I have had no problems with my T23 at all.

As far as drivers, IBM is one of a very few manufacturers which supports drivers even for 5 years old systems, as well as IBM has a separate web page for Linux drivers. I haven't seen any other laptop manufacturer do that.
 


<< My concern with the Toshiba is that Satellites from a few years ago (2500 series), while well-built, were simply horrible to look at >>



I've had experience with the 2500 series, having owned a 2530 for a long time. It was shoddily built, leading many people to joke it was the model "built on a friday." The screen latch broke, as did USB cover, many bad pixels, etc. Many other people I know have had problems with the toshiba laptops.
My brother owns a thinkpad and it is a great laptop. Good worksmanship, decent battery life.
I also like HPs a lot, with a few friends owning them. I now replaced the 2530 with an HP OmniBook 900. I would go with the HP, IBM, but possibly not the Dell because of the many screen issues.

my $020.02002
rolleye.gif
 
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