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Laptop for Dad

B

BaboonGuy

Diamond Member
Looking for something with a 15.4 or 15" screen, 1480x1050 preferably, anything better than 1024x768. A centrino. No good graphics card needed. Solidly built.

All the 15" centrino laptops I've found are more expensive with a good graphics card, cost is important here. Should I just build one for him with a barebones from ASUS or something?
 
I would second the recomendation for the zt3000, for your purposes it is a very solid machine, and you can always but it from costco (custom configure through their webpage, gives you a nice discount and a 6 month no qusestion asked return policy if you have any problems)
 
Go with some type of Dell. I just bought one mainly because I thought their customer service was outstanding. If you want resolution like that, look for something with an SXGA+ screen or better. Also, make sure you add in the price of a warranty if you want one (I'd reccomend it for a notebook). They can be in the $300 range.

In addition, I'll play the devil's advocate in regard to HP/Compaq. Many people I worked with me told me to stay away from HP/Compaq. One guy's screen started pixeling out on his HP a month after he got it and they wouldn't fix it. I think the reliability is questionable with those guys. I also don't think they use the best hardware components in their machines.

-Chris
 
Another advocate of the compaq x1000/hp zt3000-- for the mainstream manufacturers <$1500, this is arguably the best bang for your buck laptop. HP/Compaq have had issues with their other lines of laptops, but the build quality on this model is great-- much better than Dell. I've owned both (600m and x1000); my roomate has had a dell 8600; both dells were returned within the 30 day period. Unless quality control has gone up dramatically in the past 8 months, I would think hard before buying a Dell laptop.
 
Sorry to say it but i would have 2 say stay away from dell for the fact that i have heard and read alot of bad things about them lately. But have 2 agree with the extended warranty. Best Buy has THEE best one out that i have found.



Will
 
I would have to disagree with the bestbuy warranty, after my experience with it i cant see buying a machine from them again. I bout a vpr matrix notebook with the 3 year extended warranty from bestbuy, after about 6months the machine starting getting insanely hot (120-140) while in sleep mode (was fine when actualy on, but in sleep mode fan turned off and processor turned up). After first time doing this the battery was toast, i brought it in, rep in store agreed this was a major problem. 3 weeks later i got it back and they handed fixed anything or even repalced the batery which had gone from 2.5 hours to 30 minutes, i brought it back, same thing, brought it back, same thing. In march (problem started in november so 4 months) they actualy lost the machine on the way either to or from service so they gave me a credit. While it ultimatley worked out I cant say i was happy as loosing the machine for 4 months is completely unacceptable.
 
One guy's screen started pixeling out on his HP a month after he got it and they wouldn't fix it. I think the reliability is questionable with those guys. I also don't think they use the best hardware components in their machines.
Click to expand...

The guy lied to you. They have a warranty that includes screens for at least 90 days. HP, while not the best ergonomically, are solid machines. Compaq (now merged with HP) are decent as well.
 
also, on the hp, if you get it from costco (membership is something like $30) you get a couple of hundred dollar discount and you can custom configure it and you have 6 months to return it for any or no reason, so any defects that show up within the first 6 months arent a problem.
 
What do you guys think about this:
Compaq R3000Z

It's pretty well reviewed, and for the config below it's only $1200. Plus we are Costco members and the service at Costco for getting things fixed is great.

I think it's the best choice, any other thoughts?

Selected Features:

* AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3000+ 1.80 GHz
* 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
* FREE Upgrade from 40GB to 60GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
* DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
* 64MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 440 Go +1394 &amp; 5-in-1
* FREE Upgrade to 54g(TM) Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN !!
* 15.4" WVA WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
* Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
* Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Included Features:

* 1-year limited H/W warranty
* 90-day S/W warranty
* 64MB Dedicated Video Memory
* 1 expansion port for use with the HP Expansion Base (sold separately)
* 1 Type I or II PC card slot
* CardBus-enabled
* 3 USB 2.0 ports
* IEEE 1394 (*available with 64MB graphics card only)
* S-video TV-out port
* Built-in stereo speakers
* Touch pad with on/off and dedicated scroll up/down surface
* Built in 5-in-1 Memory Reader *available with 64MB graphics card only
* Universal A/C Adapter
 
i like it..does anybody else have opinions on the Compaq R3000Z? it's huge, but an affordable desktop replacement...not for those on the go.
 
But show me a extended warranty that covers the battery and things that most companys consider normal ware n tare....


Will G
 
I guess my pick with notebooks is that they are prone to malfunction. I received customer service from Dell above and beyond what I experienced from any other company when buying my computer. I feel like they go out of their way to help the customer. I think this is an important consideration when buying a notebook PC.

Years ago I had a Gateway desktop. It had a 2yr warranty on it and I have to say, they did an incredible job fulfilling the warranty. One day my keyboard went out and I called them about it. They literally had a new one on my front porch the next afternoon. Also, they sent me many replacement DVD ROM drives as well. I can't say I was highly impressed with the machine they built for me but their customer service was quite good.

I've read a lot of bad things about Best Buy's warranty coverage. You can pretty much add $300 to the price of any Best Buy notebook if you want the extended warranty.

Also, when I bought my notebook, my credit card company said they would extened the manufacture's warranty for an additional year if I purchased the NB on the card . . . you should look into that as well.
 
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