Quality Nootebook Brands

[dakels]

I have extensively used recently apple, Alienware, hypersonic, voodooPC, toshiba, dell, IBM, etc.

Easily the best "quality" is Apple for me. The manufacturing, packaging and attention to detail are top notch. They dont always make the best decisions on what to include in their components (like the 4200rpm drives), but what they do decide to put in, it is really well thought out and supported.

I think the IBM's T40-42 series are great laptops as well. Well built and good build architecture both hardware and software. Their ghost partition system is nice too. Works very well. Easy to use, fairly comfortable and reliable (as far as I have seen).

The Alienware, voodooPC, and Hypersonic's were all great as well. Very well constructed for their purpose.

I think Dell's are good for what they are. Decent machines for a very low price. For that I think they are good for the money.

Most of these systems like apple, ibm t-series, voodoo, alienware, etc are premium laptops though. These are not bargain basement compaq's, dell's, and gateways. They should be viewed as a different tier or class of laptops then the sub $1500 models. You get what you pay for to a degree.

 

[boggartlaura]

I've only owned a Dell, but I've been very pleased with it.

 

[Wuzup101]

Originally posted by: hopejr
I don't mind the 12" screen on my ibook. It can be dull at times, but I've seen worse.

Sorry I reread my post. I didn't necessarsly mean that the iBook and 12" powerbook's screans were "bad." Just that they weren't as good as the rest of the industry. I would have no problem working on the iBook, they have a decent screan esp for the price. I don't mind the screan on my 15" at all; however, it could be a lot better. Yes, it gets the job done. But for $2500 I would expect something a bit better. I'm hoping that they update them when the G5's come out (that will be a while and come with a full overhaul of the powerbook line). To compete with the PC market apple has to get on the stick and get some of those beautiful screans that sony, ibm, and dell are using (also fugi and others)....

 

[hopejr]

Originally posted by: Wuzup101

Originally posted by: hopejr
I don't mind the 12" screen on my ibook. It can be dull at times, but I've seen worse.

Sorry I reread my post. I didn't necessarsly mean that the iBook and 12" powerbook's screans were "bad." Just that they weren't as good as the rest of the industry. I would have no problem working on the iBook, they have a decent screan esp for the price. I don't mind the screan on my 15" at all; however, it could be a lot better. Yes, it gets the job done. But for $2500 I would expect something a bit better. I'm hoping that they update them when the G5's come out (that will be a while and come with a full overhaul of the powerbook line). To compete with the PC market apple has to get on the stick and get some of those beautiful screans that sony, ibm, and dell are using (also fugi and others)....

:thumbsup:

 

[Peetoeng]

I never use Mac, but IBM and Fujitsu are head and shoulder above the rest.

 

[tempuraki]

HP/compaq is #1 in customer service in term of returns and exchanges. They work around the clock, pay shipping for returns back to them, and credit you back fully in less than a week. Too bad my wife didn't like the look of the laptop I got her, but I still highly recommend them for making the return so hassle-free. If you are debating between laptops, I say give HP/compaq a try.

 

[hopejr]

Originally posted by: tempuraki
HP/compaq is #1 in customer service in term of returns and exchanges. They work around the clock, pay shipping for returns back to them, and credit you back fully in less than a week. Too bad my wife didn't like the look of the laptop I got her, but I still highly recommend them for making the return so hassle-free. If you are debating between laptops, I say give HP/compaq a try.

I assume that's in the US. I've had dealings with them in Australia and Thailand, and they are terrible in both countries.

 

[CombatChuk]

1. IBM and Apple (tied)
2. Toshiba
3. Sony (I like their X-Brite Screens)
4. Fujitsu
5. Emachines/Gateway
6. HP/Compaq
7. Dell (I really do not like Dell)

 

[GoatHerderEd]

I would put "Trach Compaqters" on the bottem. Ihad a really bad techsupport thing with them. I sent my laptop in to Best Buy under the service plan (worth the money! dont let anyone fool you. No lemon policy got me 2 new laptops from full refunds) and BB sent it to compaq becuase it was still under warrantee. The problem was with the screen and the mouse clicker. They sent the unit back and it has someone elses hard drive!! I knew it was my laptop because of a scratch on it. The hard dirve was smaller (gb), had a different OS on it (it came new with ME, i installed 2k, back from service with 98). When the OS booted i checked the computer properties and it was registered to Gabrial Lopez from Columbia. Anyway, they told me they change the hard drive because they tested it and predicted it was bad. What a crock.

Other than my horable experience with compaq, I would vote this way:

ASUS/IBM/Apple
.
Toshiba
.
.
.
Dell/HP/Compaq/Gateway

This is out of personal experiance, I have use everyone of these brands.