Buying a laptop...

[lucid]

Figured that I'd might as well ask here, seeing as how we're all pretty avid computer users, and knowing there are some knowledgeable people here.

Am currently starting to look around for a laptop. I've never owned one before, but it will likely be a necessity this winter.
Mostly it will be used for the basics (ie: word processor, research and other typical activities in the life of a university student.) Though I do my share of downloading (SoulSeek, etc) and the like.
I have a Compaq for a desktop with Windows ME.. and i absolutely hate it! It's given me nothing but problems, and I look forward to the day I can replace it. To sum it up, unless someone can convince me otherwise, I'm staying clear of Compaq.

Any horror stories? recommendations? As I do a little shopping around, any advice from the folks at CP would be appreciated

[JiriHrdina]

The last 2 years I was working on a Dell Inspiron laptop and found it to be great. No complaints at all. I'm far from an expert but from a "typical users" standpoint I was very happy with it. I did have a problem with the power cable twice but that did not make me any less happy with the product.

I am now on a Toshiba Satellite Pro 4300 (new job) and don't like it nearly as much. It is a noisy SOB.

You may pay more for the brand name Dell but if you can afford it I think its worth it.

My 2 cents, hope it helps.

[Kjesse]

I just got the IBM Thinkpad T41. Its super thin, has all the features you could want, great battery life, etc etc. No complaints after 3 or 4 months.

Couldn't tell you how much it cost though, I got mine from work.

[CaramonLS]

You know I had a laptop for 2 years at University... I hated every minute of it.

Couldn't play games and it was a friggen beast (bout 25 lbs).

It "said" it was a 733, but my 466 Desktop at my parents house ran faster even when this laptop was brandnew.

**should be noted I had a Dell

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I lived and died by a laptop for 6 years as a roving auditor/consultant. Also used one in Uni too. My consensus is that the IBM Thinkpads are worth the extra money. Mine took a beating, repeated TSA probing and bomb check, and general abuse of office equipment (fist to various components) and still kept going. Nice and light, with good features too. Just be sure you get a T-Series laptop, the X series is a cheapo OEM laptop not actually made by IBM.

My current laptop is a Dell Inspiron, a rather expensive one (6100?). Compared to my Thinkpad I hate it with a passion. Heavy, flakey and a lousy keyboard. The palm rest heats up to unacceptable levels while in use. My hi res display can't step down and show 1024x768 without flicker.

In my experiences, Dell laptops have been less than impressive, for the most part they are made by OEM vendors and rebranded. Toshibas are a better budget notebook IMHO if you can't spring for a Thinkpad.

[BlackArcher101]

lucid, what are you taking in university? If all you will be using it for is word processing, powerpoint and what not, then a desktop might be a better bang for your buck still.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

I've had Compaqs, ThinkPads, Toshibas and Dells. In my opinion I would buy in this order.

1. Dell
2. Ibm
3. Toshiba
4. Anything but a Compaq.

I've got a Dell and an IBM going right now and both are great. The IBM is a little more difficult to deal with from a support perspective, but its still a real good machine (I also have an Aptive desktop). The Dell has been really good and has great support.

Dude, you gotta getta Dell!

[octothorp]

I use a Dell at work and it's a pretty decent system. It's a 'latitude', I guess. I've got an iBook at home and it's an absolutely fantastic little system (except that it's in the shop for repairs now after three years), but it doesn't sound like you're looking to switch over to Mac. Dells are good, though.

[gdoll]

What do you guys think about Sony VAIO notebooks?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally posted by gdoll@Sep 8 2004, 10:50 AM
What do you guys think about Sony VAIO notebooks?

Overpriced. Very high on the geek factor, but I'm not convinced about their long term durability.

[BlackEleven]

Originally posted by gdoll@Sep 8 2004, 04:50 PM
What do you guys think about Sony VAIO notebooks?

I have one and the major complaint I have about it is that it is pretty fragile. Pieces of plastic have broken off it in a couple of different places which makes it look like hell, but its still ticking. I also find it to be heavy, but mine is a couple years old (2 years maybe)...maybe they have improved.

[Bill Bumface]

Count me in for thinkpads. Get a centrino T series. If you plan to run off of battery, don't bother buying anything non-centrino. The pointing devices/screen/hinges are all awesome on the thinkpad.

[AvengeR]

Definately stay away from Compaq and most Toshiba's.

FYI, there are only about 6 laptop manufacturers in the world, and every company buys their laptops from these manufacturers and rebadge them as their own. Quanta Computer makes laptops for Apple, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Matsush*ta Electric Industrial, and Sony.

[lucid]

Thanks for the help guys.
I'm just in the preliminary stages of looking around, so we'll see how it turns out.

So I'm not crazy in thinking that Compaq's are horrible! lol

[metallicat]

No you are not crazy. My original Compaq laptop was sent in for repair under warrenty (in the first year of purchase) half a dozen times...no lie. They eneded up giving me a brand new laptop (my current HP) and it is lousy. It was sent in for repair almost immediately, and now needs to go back once again.

Laptops are one of the few purchases where I would actually recommend an extended warrenty. It's going to save my ass this time around.