I am in the market for a new laptop. I'm not incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to computers so I wanted some input on a computer I'm currently looking at.

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16834117248

4/17/2006 10:32:25 AM

sony = crap

4/17/2006 10:36:42 AM

if u want a laptop go with dell or ibm. stay away from everything else.

4/17/2006 10:38:51 AM

+apple

4/17/2006 10:43:16 AM

YOU SHOULD BUY AN ACERTECH GX4000+

4/17/2006 10:54:28 AM

Ive had Toshiba laptops that were pretty good. The only problems I had with them were of my own doing... Such as dropping one on the concrete walkway.. Busted the screen, but I got a new screen off ebay and it worked liked a champ for a few more years.

4/17/2006 1:09:56 PM

Quote :

"if u want a laptop go with dell or ibm. stay away from everything else."

4/17/2006 1:35:04 PM

Toshibas are ok but their pricing usually can not compete

4/17/2006 1:50:12 PM

another vote for Toshiba here

4/17/2006 2:13:02 PM

ibm t43

4/17/2006 2:16:22 PM

spend the extra money and go with an IBM laptop like ^ said

toshiba is crap

4/17/2006 2:51:50 PM

So it seems as though IBM and Dell are my best bet. I'm not familiar with the Apple operating system so I won't be going that route.

Thanks for all the help so far!

4/17/2006 3:38:42 PM

OMG, THIS APPLE OPERATING SYSTEM IS SO HARD TO MASTER!

4/17/2006 3:44:50 PM

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p7360

Great deal and its a good laptop. Just picked up a similar one last week for my fiancee.

4/17/2006 4:16:52 PM

I didn't say it would be hard. I just think it would be best for me to stick with that I am familar with.

4/17/2006 4:21:17 PM

What would be the difference in the way your system performed with a 7200 rpm hard drive vs. 5400 rpm hard drive?

4/17/2006 4:28:08 PM

Well the one I linked has a free upgrade to 7200. I'm not sure an average user is going to notice all that much difference but 7200 is usually worth the small upgrade fee.

4/17/2006 4:44:18 PM

Quote :

"I just think it would be best for me to stick with that I am familar with."

Probably so. That way you'll never know what you are missing.

By the way, new Apple laptops reportedly run Windows faster than traditional PC manufacturers' models.

[Edited on April 17, 2006 at 5:36 PM. Reason : ]

4/17/2006 5:35:57 PM

if you're doing anything thats disk intensive such as games, 7200 rpm is gonna make a huge difference.

Surfing the web, listening the music, watching videos etc... wouldn't be any different

4/17/2006 5:37:49 PM

Dell for budget/low-end.
IBM for reliability and quality.

The new MacBook Pros are supposed to be really nice, but they're also $$$.

4/17/2006 6:01:41 PM

^ i'm gonna have to argue with that cause my 700m is very reliable. in fact i've never had a single problem with Dell laptops i have owned due to reliability or quality.

4/17/2006 6:21:14 PM

^ The biggest issue I have seen with Dell laptops tends to be heat-related.

If you do get a Dell avoid getting the fastest processor.

4/17/2006 6:24:55 PM

dell laptops = teh crapola

4/17/2006 6:28:40 PM

heat? really? i know toshibas have a horrible reputation for heat and static problems. but dell's? i had a powerhouse inspiron 8200 (some say the last great inspiron notebook) and heat was never an issue for me and that thing was built for hardcore gaming.

4/17/2006 6:30:15 PM

We've got a bunch of HP/Compaq laptops around in my family and they haven't given any problems if they were bought new. Just don't buy refurbished. Look at all the brands and see what you like, and if you like a notebook's price, but it looks like it's a shoddily made/cheaply made brick, don't buy it. You'll be happier in the long run.

4/17/2006 7:20:45 PM

Thanks for all the input!

4/17/2006 9:13:08 PM

Quote :

"What would be the difference in the way your system performed with a 7200 rpm hard drive vs. 5400 rpm hard drive?"

you'll get better battery life with the 5400 drive

4/18/2006 12:31:41 AM

since you don't want an Apple, which would be my reccomendation... i'd go with an IBM. I have a toshiba, only problem was the hard drive would overheat and eventually died... but who knows, you might not have those problems, i tended to work the computer really hard with complex renderings etc

4/18/2006 12:53:44 AM

Deals on IBM laptops:

http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/soc/purchasing/pricing_specs.php

The cheapest T60 would be fine most likely, although it does use integrated graphics.

here's more complete specs:

http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/soc/purchasing/sbs.htm

Note that this is not finalized and does not include all models that will be availible and discounted. There will be others, including a much cheaper R series laptop.

[Edited on April 18, 2006 at 1:16 AM. Reason : ]

4/18/2006 1:13:54 AM

I had/mostly still have a sony vaio desk top and it was okay until the ps died on me 1.5 years (the warrently was only for 1 year) after I bought it. Long story short, they wanted more money than what I bought a new (and cuter) case and power supply for and the tech support does not understand english well at all (at least 3 of the 4 I spoke with) when all I wanted to do was find out the price of a new ps (it was a non-standard size) and not send in my computer because I already knew for sure what was wrong.

4/18/2006 6:44:44 AM

IBM/Lenovo tech support is in atlanta, although I would argue about their english too...

4/18/2006 7:56:29 AM

our company uses nothing but toshibas and i have never had ANY problems with them

i do NOT know why it's not listed on their website, but circuit city currently has a toshiba m55-s3315 for $900 after rebates...specs:

14" widescreen (truebrite, which i love)
1.73ghz (with centrino)
1gb ddr2 ram
100gb 5400rpm hd
5-in-1 card reader
dvd burner (including dvd-ram)
some kicking harman/kardon speakers which have NO distortion when maxed out
128mb shared video memory

add a 12-cell battery (i get nearly 8 hours on mine) for an additional $100 and you've got an awesome machine for $1000...i've been using a similar machine for over a year now and have had NO problems with it

i know ibm/lenovo puts out better machines...but let's be honest...your laptop will be OBSOLETE in 3 years, and as long as you take care of it, it SHOULD last that long without an expensive warranty (though you can always throw in a 3-year warranty for $300)...i have NEVER (and no one over the past 4 years at work) had problems with a toshiba

4/18/2006 11:04:26 AM

Whatever you end up buying - get an extended warranty that will cover cracked LCD's, drops, and accidental spills.

I've seen tons of computers come in with spills and damage from drops that were not covered by warranty. Pretty much expensive paperweights now!

4/18/2006 11:38:41 AM

or just don't be a dumbass

4/18/2006 12:21:21 PM

Quote :

"cracked LCD's, drops, and accidental spills"

Quote :

"or just don't be a dumbass"

seriously...just treat the laptop like it's an expensive and fairly fragile piece of equipment, and you don't need the extended warranty...i know that toshibas (and i'm assuming all other brands) come with a 1-year parts warranty, so if the lcd goes out, or the battery quits working or whatever, you're covered...

just don't be stupid and save yourself $300

4/18/2006 1:29:36 PM

2nd generation Mac Book Pro

-ZiP!-

4/18/2006 1:33:46 PM

^^ eh, the IBM's listed there come with a 3 year warranty, it's not an upgrade. The accidental damage coverage is 150 not 300. Accidents happen to people who aren't morons, that's the point of insurance. The accidental damage warranties are basically that, insurance.

If you plan on actually carrying your laptop around with you most of the time, then a 1 year warranty is probably not sufficient. Sure, if you park it on your desk 99% of the time, it should last almost forever, but if you bring it with you everywhere it's foolish not to get at least a 3 year basic warranty, unless you don't mind replacing it every year or two. Nobody's saying spend an extra 300 bucks on one, just look for an education deal that already includes some kind of upgraded warranty.

Accidental damage coverage is one of those things that most people who treat their laptop well will never use. If you do happen to have an accident with your laptop of some sort though and don't have it covered, it really sucks. I love the whole fundamental attribution error thing though- associating bad things happining to someone's stuff automatically with incompetance. Sometimes shit just happens.

When considering what warranty is best for you, it's best to consider all of these things. How are you going to use the computer? A desktop replacement that will sit in the appartment or house most of the time probably doesn't need anything beyond the basic warranty. Something that goes with you everywhere probably should get at least a multi-year warranty if not accidental damage coverage. If you're accident prone or just worry about breaking it, go for it. If you're extremely confident in your ability to ward off shit you can't always control (like a drunk roomate, rain and a leaky roof, someone spilling their drink on your laptop at a coffee house, etc.) then sure don't get the accidental damage coverage. If you plan on replacing a laptop before 3 years, then by all means do not pay for a longer warranty than you expect to have the computer.

Also, another thing to consider about warranties from any company is weather they have a zero dead pixel policy. IBM/lenovo's will be accepted as DOA and replaced for a single dead or stuck pixel. Some warranties also only cover the battery for 90 days. Some extended warranties also do not extend the battery warranty or do not extend it to the same ammount of time.

4/18/2006 1:56:36 PM

IBM - Apple - Dell/Toshiba

4/18/2006 7:59:55 PM

Quote :

"just don't be stupid and save yourself $300 the cost of a new laptop "

Get the warranty!!! You can be the most careful person in the world and somebody else might spill a drink or trip over your cord. Why take the chance?

$300 or $new laptop?....

[Edited on April 18, 2006 at 10:01 PM. Reason : +]

4/18/2006 10:01:35 PM

Quote :

"so if the lcd goes out, or the battery quits working or whatever, you're covered... "

man. warranty doesn't cover the battery

4/19/2006 12:43:36 AM

^ not ture, some do but generally not for as long as the machine. for example, IBM's warranty covers the battery for one year. the extended warranties do not however usually extend the warranty on the battery

4/19/2006 5:21:39 PM

get the full accident coverage. you know what to do.

4/19/2006 6:54:01 PM