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Sun May 21, 2006 2:16 pm  |
I got a IBM notebook many years ago. For the first 3 years it was working well but problem arose after the warranty period.
I intend to purchase another one but still consider which brand to buy? Dell, Toshiba.....  |
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Sun May 21, 2006 2:59 pm |
My boyfriend suggests Dell to alot of people (he's a systems analyst so he's all techy  ). Infact, my dad just bought a mid range laptop off Dell and my boyfriend just ordered a high end gaming laptop off them. My sister bought one about a year ago from them. I think for the price, options, etc., they are a good way to go. And if you check their website each week they sometimes have some great online deals.
Now for me ... I'm a MAC person so I love my Apple Macbook Pro laptop.  |
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Sun May 21, 2006 4:49 pm |
| I don't really recommend a Compaq unless you get the insurance on it. The bills on my repairs to my Compaq laptop came out to over $1300, but they were covered by the insurance (Best Buy) I bought on it, thank God. I've never had any problems with my clamshell Mac laptop.. I love that thing! Also, I have a Dell Laptop that I call the Tank. It's SOOO heavy but durable. I managed to break the monitor on it as well as the keyboard and it still works! Of course I have to hook it up to an external monitor and keyboard but other than that I think the thing's gonna live forever. Make sure you look up the specific model you're thinking of getting on Epinions or Ciao before you buy |
_________________
24 years old...Please click to Fund Food for Animals at the AnimalRescueSite! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3 |
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Sun May 21, 2006 5:19 pm |
I love my Sony Vaio!!!! Knock on wood, its 5 years old and I've never (knocking on wood again  ) had any problems with it.
I have an IBM Thinkpad for work, and it's pretty good also!!! |
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Sun May 21, 2006 8:43 pm |
| I'm using Sony Vaio too...so far so good. No problem at all. I've been working for a Toshiba company and I think it's also a good choice though. |
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Mabsy
Moderator
 
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
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Sun May 21, 2006 8:54 pm |
| I'm very happy with my Dell laptop, while I've had problems with my Dell desktop. And I'm absolutely cursing my Toshiba work laptop. They used to be a good brand but they have so many problems these days after changing their suppliers. My entire workplace has dropped Toshiba as a supplier (due to too many repairs) and now goes with Dell and HP. |
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Sun May 21, 2006 8:55 pm |
Moonstarr I'm soooooo jealous - you have a Macbook Pro
bb2000, do yourself a favour and get a Macbook. I used to own an IBM desktop and switched to Mac about 5 years ago - best move I ever made  With the new Macs you can run Windows XP and OSX, so you have the best of both worlds.
Anya |
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Sun May 21, 2006 9:11 pm |
ibm is def the best. But its expensive. I dont know anybody who has the new ibm laptop (manufactured by lenovo, i think. correct me if i am wrong). But if it is as good as the old ibm (prior to lenovo), you should get ibm.
I own two sony vaios. I can never afford ibms, so I got the next best thing. sony is very good. My older vaio is a couple of years old, and i swear to god, it is till working perfectly.
my next purchase will be a mac. I have heard so many good things about it. Especially about how much better it is now using the intel chip.
To sum up, I suggest either sony vaio or mac.
let us know what you decide.
good luck |
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Sun May 21, 2006 9:45 pm |
| My SO is a software engineer and his (old) company gives their programmers IBM Thinkpads. He recently quit and needed to buy a new laptop and went with the new Lenovo Thinkpad Z60t (roadtonowhere - you're right, Lenovo bought IBM's PC division) and said it's as good as the old IBM Thinkpads. Keep in mind that Lenovo has their own line in addition to the Thinkpad line, but I don't know how those are. |
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*¸.·´¯)¸.·´fair/medium, tans easily; combo but mostly dry, sensitive skin¸.·´¯)¸.·´* |
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Sun May 21, 2006 10:13 pm |
We just bought our 3rd Dell - this one a laptop (well, I guess if you have a REALLY big lap  ) Have never had a problem with our Dells that wasn't due to 'user error' . Reasonably priced & super fast shipping. This one came a week before they said it would. Last one came about 4 days early if I recall. |
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Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~ Voltaire www.Candessence.com |
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Sun May 21, 2006 10:37 pm |
Moonstar, the high-end one your boyfriend bought.. what kind of video card does it have?
My hubby is in the market for a laptop for playing his game (Everquest) because he currently has to run it on MY Dell desktop and needless to say that does not make me happy when I want to do email or check EDS.
He was worried about the video card in the dell high-end one here and I think was going to end up with SONY Vaio. |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Mon May 22, 2006 12:32 am |
| Another vote for the MacBook Pro. Switching is the smartest thing I´ve ever done. |
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Mon May 22, 2006 1:14 am |
My brother and SO have both been building and rebuilding computers for years. They've gotten me into it as well .
Any ways, they have always said that:
1.) yes, Dell has a great warranty and all, wonderful customer service but if youre really into your 'toys' so to speak, that would not be the way to go (sorry I dont exactly know why...maybe videocard or ways of getting replacement parts/ updating the computer ).
2.) Compaq is not the way to go eather if your serious about your computers. They seem to have 'issues' so to speak, even the plain old desktops (they don't seem to reach their full potential when it comes to gaming or serious programming).
3.) IBM seems to be a good all around choice. They say that they keep up well and run forever!!! Parts are probably easy to find as well if your updating or just fixing the comp.
4.) Sony Vaio seems to have found a winner. Although most models seem to run on the pricey end, they seem to be reliable so far (My brothers is quite old and HUGE, but it runs as if it were one of the new-aged laptops on the market).
5.) Macs I have NO IDEA about. Sorry. Having to have used their systems so much back in k- 12, it has come to make me despise those things (however I do hear that they are great...).
6.) HP is said to be an ok choice. They make great printers but laptops and such, they may be lacking in some areas. They are a bit weak on the overall 'techy' side and the customer service is a bit sketchy (they keep you on hold for a while and then are confused on part #'s etc.).
* I have an HP, that I'm writing this from. Getting it for $350 brand new + a 1 year warranty, I can't complain.But I do agree that its just an ok choice, nothing special  . Being my first laptop, I'm getting 'schooled' on what to look for in the next purchase (which will not be soon since school needs to be finished first with loans and all!). It warms up pretty fast as if it needs another fan for the processor, and isn't as tech supported as I would like. But it's just for writting essays and reading the boards so I'll be fine  . Running games on it works as well (Need For Speed has been installed by the SO in an attempt to turn it into a gaming laptop --> not happening  ).
---- I would just start looking for features youd like in your computer (such as size, weight, stats, screen types, etc. ). When you're set on those, find a company offering what you want PLUS a warranty. Anything on top of that would be icing on the cake! . ----
BOTTOM LINE, I'm not a computer wiz (so don't bite my head off if I'm wrong, lol  ), but my .02 cents are in, just in case! |
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Mon May 22, 2006 3:44 am |
Depends on what you have to use it for.
Main goals can be either one or more of the following:
1.Mail/internet/office applications
2.Desktop replacement (heavy duty programs, multimedia and multitasking)
3.Portability (if you travel a lot you need it very lightweight)
4.Video gaming
Most of the big brands have good reliability and nowadays allow to do the first 2 things (which the majority of users need) like a desktop.
Extension of warranty to 3 years is a good thing to consider and quality of the customer service IN YOUR COUNTRY too.
About the components the things to look the most, which have major impact on performance are:
1) memory. 512mb is the bare minimum. Consider 1gb for tasks (2) and 2 GB for videogames.
2) hard disk. Look for a decent capacity (100gb+) and speed (7200rpm would be ideal)
3) graphic chip. Go for top brands only (nVidia and ATI), no integrated ultralow performance chips. This will ensure compatibility and reduce the chance of random crashes due to poor drivers.
4) OS, XP pro. Forget the home or the media center versin. |
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Male, 29, Combination skin |
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Mon May 22, 2006 3:46 am |
PS: If your requirements are low you may want to look into second hand notebooks, from stores and with guarantee too -it will save major bucks.
PPS: i dint put the screen size and resolution, it depends on what you will use the notebook for. 17" widescreen LCD are not too expensive nowadays. |
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Male, 29, Combination skin |
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Mon May 22, 2006 5:25 am |
| Quote: |
4.) Sony Vaio seems to have found a winner. Although most models seem to run on the pricey end, they seem to be reliable so far (My brothers is quite old and HUGE, but it runs as if it were one of the new-aged laptops on the market).
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Girldevolv, I would have to agree on the Vaio. If he buys this new Vaio it will be our third notebook from them.
The first we bought 6 years (maybe 7) ago and it is still going GREAT guns (though a few keys on the keyboard are now sticking due to the long-term usage). It was my precious baby and very small and light.
The second one we have had for 3 years (purhcase because hubby dropped and broke the afforementioned baby and rather than getting a quote ran out and bought me a $2000 replacement you-beaut new one. We later had it checked out.. cost just $100 to replace hard disc only and gave it to my mum to use).
Anyway, this "replacement" just does not get used anymore (he cannot use it for games, I dont like the smaller screen.. a longer rectangle than my first baby).. SO that one is going over to my mum and the first baby is being retired (Sony in Japan will give you $150 as a buy back on your notebooks).
I dont mind my Dell desktop (I bought the bare minimum additions, but upgraded the RAM and CPU), but I am not a fan of their notebooks. |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Mon May 22, 2006 11:35 am |
| tiger_tim wrote: |
Moonstar, the high-end one your boyfriend bought.. what kind of video card does it have?
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The laptop he has ordered is the Dell XPS M1710 (Special Edition Formula Red). The video card is a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX (this was an upgrade ... the card normally is a 256MB card). He tells me the 512MB is exclusive to Dell at the moment and is the best single video card available currently (it's available in Canada, not sure about anywhere else) ... he also tells me there are several boutique vendors that offer dual video card setups ... such as Sager, Alien Ware or Voodoo PC. I have no idea what that means, but apparently it's a really powerful video card that is good for gaming. The laptop looks really cool too ... check it out on their website. |
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Mon May 22, 2006 1:07 pm |
| Moonstarr wrote: |
The laptop he has ordered is the Dell XPS M1710 (Special Edition Formula Red). The video card is a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX |
Yes, this is very good. the best videocard available on notebooks, but the SLI configurations. |
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Male, 29, Combination skin |
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Mon May 22, 2006 3:39 pm |
Fantastic!
I didn't realize there are so many computer experts at EDS forum.
Anya, I would like to have a Macbook but my son perfers to have Dell. I haven't made decision yet. Just wait and see. |
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Mon May 22, 2006 3:43 pm |
| Moonstarr wrote: |
| The laptop he has ordered is the Dell XPS M1710 (Special Edition Formula Red). The video card is a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX (this was an upgrade ... the card normally is a 256MB card). He tells me the 512MB is exclusive to Dell at the moment and is the best single video card available currently (it's available in Canada, not sure about anywhere else) ... he also tells me there are several boutique vendors that offer dual video card setups ... such as Sager, Alien Ware or Voodoo PC. I have no idea what that means, but apparently it's a really powerful video card that is good for gaming. The laptop looks really cool too ... check it out on their website. |
ooooh! They sure did NOT have that model out last month when we were looking. Very spiffy. I heard Vaio has new models for summer too. Since he will be in Germany for the bulk of next month I told DH to wait till July 1st to buy, ya never know what comes out by then. (I mean he was all set to buy a month ago and settle for something not exactly what he wanted and now look.. a perfect notebook for his needs at Dell). |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Mon May 22, 2006 5:41 pm |
| i have a dell notebook and love it had it for a year no problems so far. grat customer service. |
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Mon May 22, 2006 5:42 pm |
| that was great customer service. i need to use my spell check more often |
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Tue May 23, 2006 10:48 pm |
I have a Toshiba that I purchased almost 3 years ago... It is my first laptop and I researched up and down before deciding on this one... I also purchased a Toshiba for my son who is not so carefull so purchased a 3 year waranty with it!
I have to tell you that when I replace this it will be with another Toshiba. I am eyeing the Qosmio, but that is what would fit my needs. If I was going to lug it around a 17" heavy laptop would probably not be the way to go.
My brother is on his 2nd Dell in less than 2 years. He purchased a cheaper model, had all sorts of trouble then purchased the top of the line and I was really not so impressed with it.. My bf has a Dell desktop that he adores... It has a really slow start up, but it has never had a problem.
A couple of places to look up information before buying include:
http://www.pcmag.com/
http://computershopper.com/
The next one has some free articles and some stuff you would need to pay for:
http://www.consumerreports.org
I think it is most important to identify what your needs are and then go from there... Don't pay for gaming if you are not a gamer, if you are going to carry it around get something light and most importantly, if you are going to use it frequently go for one with a full size keyboard or at least one that you are comfortable with. |
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Fri May 26, 2006 4:51 pm |
| I have a Dell laptop. It is good. |
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Fri May 26, 2006 11:57 pm |
My personal experience with Dell laptops have been really poor. I went through 4 of them until I had had it when this last time my hard drive died and I lost some valuable data that I hadn't backed up yet. I am not at all hard on laptops- I think I just had a run of bad luck. I had a Apple G3 powerbook for years before my Dells with no problems. I have heard that Dell desktops are very dependable but the laptops can be on the iffy side. Consumer Reports also rated Dell's desktops high and their laptops low on repair history (fyi).
So after researching and researching I got really close to going with the new Apple MacBook Pro and considered a Toshiba but finally went with the Sony Vaio SZ160. So far it's great. I love its power and portability. |
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