Time for a new Laptop

[Fuscat]

I think this thread is the perfect example of YMMV! Your Mileage May Vary, and it probably will! A big chunk of most of the brands have been represented with both good and bad examples here. It’s really going to come down to your own preference. I know that isn’t much help but it will be your money and the features you will use that will make the difference. Even the best laptop makers in the world are going to have defective ones out there. There is just no way around it. Most of the time (just like the example of the IBM laptop with the Hitachi drive) It will be an outsourced part that will shoot craps.

Try to find one you like aesthetically, with the features you really need, then want, for the price range you looking for (including warranty.) I wouldn’t worry a whole lot about brand loyalty.. and really if you want to know how it rates before you buy, look up the ones you have narrowed your search down to on the web at epinions. Or google the models to see what you can find. Then you will have a better idea of how the particular models you are looking at stack up.

I personally have had:
1 Toshiba satellite that was junk. Hard drive went, then the motherboard.
3 Sony VAIO’s that I absolutely LOVED (I still use my favorite which is my Picturebook!)
1 Dell that was so/so. Had to have the keyboard replaced.
Currently using a new Compaq which I love and have had zero problems with.

The bottom line is, what ever you buy be sure to buy the extended warranty. At least then your equipment is covered. And I would suggest getting a DVD burner in the next one so you can easily and cheaply burn backups of your personal work just in case something does happen in the future!
Hope this may help a little bit!

 

[BkCloud114]

Since Windows 2000 SP2 thats the way Windows works as well. Plug Play and forget.

I have a question for you though since you got me interested, Windows still has a problem that if you unplug a USB or Firewire device and plug it back into a different port it FUBARs everything. Can Macs do it without crapping themselves? That is really the only beef I have left with windows since I started using 2000/XP pro

I have unplugged my external HD numerous times between my laptop and my desktop without any problems. Actually have used my buddies wireless printer without ever having to load any software. I was over his house one day booking a trip with my laptop and decide to hit print to see what would happen..... it printed with no problems.

I have used flash drives and digital cameras between both computers without any incidents.

Check out Apple's newest commercials.... very funny

http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

 

[mhortsch]

I recently bought a 300 GB external HD. I actually read the instructions to install it. For a PC it was 7 pages of instructions and drivers. For a Mac it was one short paragraph, "Plug it in and your Mac will recognize the HD". I have never had to install a driver to run anything on my Mac. No drivers to conflict with each other.... no blue screen of death....

Since Windows 2000 SP2 thats the way Windows works as well. Plug Play and forget.

I have a question for you though since you got me interested, Windows still has a problem that if you unplug a USB or Firewire device and plug it back into a different port it FUBARs everything. Can Macs do it without crapping themselves? That is really the only beef I have left with windows since I started using 2000/XP pro

The simple fact that you asked this question alone should tell everyone that PCs are unstable. Would never be a question if you'd been on a mac to beging with.

Most people think mac users are some sort of elitist who can't get off their high horse... funy thing is, 90% of mac users were once PC users.

Get a clue, there's a reason why apple is about to rule the computer industry. Windows has even delayed the release of their latest OS another year. By the time it comes out, Leapard along with the new Intel Macs will have completely blown any windows based PC out of the water.

 

[Wurm]

As soon as I can play more than 60% of the games I like on a Mac then I will switch. Until then I'll put up with Windows XP pro for a while longer.

 

[slcraiders]

Dell Inspiron 9300

 

[Infinity]

I have heard from people over the years about Mac's but have always been nervous to venture away from my familar and comfortable windows operated computers.

I have always believed that a mac was for graphic type businesses, not for every day use. I have not wanted to venture away from my comfort zone, isn't that human nature? Maybe it is Bill Gates hold and control over the majority of us. :angry2:

Can anyone convince me in simple terms, why I should switch to a mac and what pain I will endure by doing so. :0

Do other microsoft users feel the same way?

Brian

 

[BlindedByScience]

I have a question for you though since you got me interested, Windows still has a problem that if you unplug a USB or Firewire device and plug it back into a different port it FUBARs everything. Can Macs do it without crapping themselves? That is really the only beef I have left with windows since I started using 2000/XP pro

....got to tell you we swap USB thumb drives, printers, even external floppy drives all day in our WXP machines and I've never heard of this. Guess you're lucky.....

Regards - B.B.S.

 

[Wurm]

I have a question for you though since you got me interested, Windows still has a problem that if you unplug a USB or Firewire device and plug it back into a different port it FUBARs everything. Can Macs do it without crapping themselves? That is really the only beef I have left with windows since I started using 2000/XP pro

....got to tell you we swap USB thumb drives, printers, even external floppy drives all day in our WXP machines and I've never heard of this. Guess you're lucky.....

Regards - B.B.S.

Its not swapping them thats the problem its that Windows XP always finds it as a new device if you use a different USB port. So you have printer #2 or thumb drive number #3 ext.

With most devices this isn't a big problem, but use a USB to Serial port converter... well lets say your going to be setting up all your baud-rates and port numbers again for an hour or so.

So I was wondering if the Mac computers were smart enough to say... hmmm I know this device so I can assign it what it had before with no problem. Windows machines can't.

 

[Wurm]

Get a clue, there's a reason why apple is about to rule the computer industry. Windows has even delayed the release of their latest OS another year. By the time it comes out, Leapard along with the new Intel Macs will have completely blown any windows based PC out of the water.

Home use maybe, big business... I highly doubt it.

 

[DarrenR]

I spend alot of time ordering and specing laptops, workstations and servers for my job. I would also be considered a maverick computer geek since I tend to like Microsoft, Intel and Dell. They have done more for the tech industry than anyone ever has.
For what you are discussing I would say a inspiron 6100 or 9300 and splerge on the 4 year complete care service. With that you can do anything to your machine and it is covered under the warenty. My kids spilled juice on mine 3 time and they have fixed it with no questions asked. I guess in you are into lipgloss and impressionist art you could go with a Mac for photo editing but that is about it. LOL :laugh: Sorry MAC lovers "hate the game not the player!"
DarrenR

 

[Gunpowder]

I just went through purchasing my laptop about 6 months ago. Here is my 2 cents:

I am very analytical and did my homework for several months hanging out at the laptop forums. I would suggest you hang around them for a while to tap into trends:
notebook forums
Notebook Review

At the time of my research, I was considering Toshiba but quality control was taking a nose dive along with their tech support. Scratch Toshiba.

Lenova was just making the Thinkpad switch to China. I was thinking of IBM (now Lenova) but was scared of Lenova during the months of the switch. Review a previous post in this thread offering an employee discount. He is offering a significant savings. Lenova is an option I would still consider but you need to see what Quality control is like currently. Their keyboards were the best if you lucked out with a certain code number made in Taiwan.

Fujitsu was interesting but pricy but I think their tech support is in Canada.

My wife has a dell laptop and if you can speak a foreign language for tech support go for it but quality is crap and so is their tech support. I "tried" to use it several times and in the end solved my problems on my own. Dell Makes good PC's ( I own one and will again) but their laptops are cheap in more ways than just price.

Searching for the holy Grail of laptops I first decided on the Lenova but one of my bosses wanted me to go a cheaper route so off I went in search of a laptop with a good reputation, good tech support, moderatly priced, and built like a tank.

I settled on an ASUS W3V. Best decision I ever made!!!!

ASUS has a good reputation, California tech support, and built like IBM---A tank. ASUS is a ODM (Original Design Manufacturer). Virtually none of the "Name Brands" manufacture their own laptops. The few notable exceptions are IBM (Lenova), Acer, Toshiba, ASUS, Twinhead and Apple. Yet, they even do not make all of their own. All of the rest buy their laptops from what is called an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM). ODMs are the true manufacturers who actually cast, and assemble the main unit which includes the motherboard, outside casing, and display. A few examples of ODMs are Quanta, Compal, Clevo, Mitac, Asus, AOPEN (Acer), Uniwill, and TwinHead-- perhaps you have never heard of these companies before. But you have definitely seen their systems under other well known brand names. ODMs are usually located somewhere in Asia, and may have distribution centers in the US. ODMs distribute their product to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Each ODM sells its computers to several different OEMs.

ASUS makes Some or all models for: IBM, NEC, Apple, SONY, HP, Voodoo, Sharp, Chembook among many more.

My theory is if they are putting "THEIR" name on it it must be good.

Everyone knows that IBM, SONY or APPLE are the high quality "Name Brands". So, you know that when you buy Asus Notebooks it means your buying IBM, SONY or APPLE's same high quality products with reasonable price.

I bought my ASUS W3V (Now W3J)at Geared2Play.com. You can also get them at major online sites like CDW, NewEgg, etc.

Ask around. ASUS has a great reputation for laptops along with their motherboards and I recommend them without hesitation!









OH YA... my ASUS W3V had a standard 2 year warrenty and at the time a 3rd year extension promo. 3 Year warranty for free is hard to beat.