Not discussing specs, but just based on brands and "model lines", which one would you pick and why?

HP dv6
Asus U81A-RX05
Lenovo IdeaPad Y550

My vote is Lenovo

[Edited on August 5, 2009 at 6:32 PM. Reason : .]

8/5/2009 6:16:40 PM

my Asus hasn't frozen or overheated once. also great customer service.

8/5/2009 6:26:11 PM

does it come with a lot pre-installed like other builders?

8/5/2009 6:30:06 PM

i kinda want to try out an acer timeline

you should get the 13.3" version and allow me to live vicariously through you

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115593

8/5/2009 6:52:11 PM

lenovo is chinese garbage.

8/5/2009 7:47:32 PM

uh huh... so i guess that makes Asus taiwanese garbage?

8/5/2009 7:50:21 PM

lenovo has gone downhill but still are generally solid machines. no idea on that particular model, though

8/5/2009 7:55:19 PM

I just got an Asus laptop - model X83V, 14.1". I think they recently entered the market there - I've always trusted their motherboards. I couldn't be happier - way underpriced for the features.

[Edited on August 5, 2009 at 8:32 PM. Reason : .]

8/5/2009 8:25:51 PM

ASUSASUSASUS

8/5/2009 8:32:49 PM

I got a Lenovo shortly after they bought IBM's PC division (or whatever went down) and here's what I have to say:

The battery (6 cell) lasted until just before the warranty ran out, then all of the sudden it wouldn't even cut on without being plugged in. Before the next year cycled, it happened again. This is probably dependent on my usage habits and not specific to Lenovo, but worth noting.

The screen started going out after about 2.5 years. I would notice that the brightness would be lower and sometimes flicker, and finally the backlight died. I tried unsuccessfully to replace it (I'm not at all an electronical guru) by getting a new bulb and inverter, so now it sits in a cabinet as a server and runs fine.

The lettering on the keyboard wore off easily, but not a big deal.

I don't see it on your list, but I'd just like to point out that Toshiba laptops suck.

8/5/2009 10:30:25 PM

My Lenovo Thinkpad x200s performs like a dream. I'm just 2 months into ownership, so I cannot speak for the warranty (except for the fact that they offer a SIX year warranty, which from my experience is unheard of). Thinkpads, especially during the IBM era have been legendary in their durability. I was a little cautious with the Lenovo brand, but it's pretty obvious not much has been lost.

If you have any friends who work at IBM, ask them to hook you up with a discount.

8/5/2009 10:38:24 PM

we still have some ibm t41/42s that still work no prob. All the thinkpads we got after the lenovo buy out are either all dead or gimped to uselessness. I think we only have 2 surviving lenovos. 1 has a dead battery and the other's usb controller and onboard wifi are fried.

8/5/2009 10:45:18 PM

8/6/2009 2:24:43 AM

reading comprehension ftl.

i said which one and listed three, none of which were apple.

8/6/2009 2:46:47 AM

i used to be all for HP...but the last one i bought, the motherboard died within 2.5 years and HP wanted $700 to fix it...

My buddy has a similar HP and his gets VERY hot, to the point he had to buy one of those laptop cooling pads for it

8/6/2009 7:47:01 AM

Quote :

"I don't see it on your list, but I'd just like to point out that Toshiba laptops suck."

the exact opposite of my experience, actually...before my current HP, i had nothing but toshibas and i loved them

i gave my last one to my brother and it's still going strong after nearly 5 years (nothing has been replaced or fixed on it, not even the power adapter)

the one i had before that, going on 6 years, acts as my downloading box in an enclosed cabinet...i did have to replace the power supply about 6 months ago, but the battery STILL gets more than an hour on a charge (not spectacular, but for a 6yo laptop running a pentium-m proc, i think that's pretty good)

i haven't had one in a while, though...maybe they've gone to crap...they used to be the best value laptop available, though (IMO, of course)

my current HP gets damn toasty, but for the most part it sits on a cooling pad on my lap (i don't actually plug it in to runs the fans, i just keep it elevated)...it occasionally has a problem where the touchpad shorts out (i have no idea how or why this happens) and i have to remove the battery and unplug it and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge it and it works again

of the 3 you've listed, i'd look mostly closely at the asus

but you should really pick up the acer timeline i listed

8/6/2009 7:58:15 AM

In the end, I really think all laptop brands are as good as the other and as shitty as the other (and the goodness/shittiness goes in cycles). They're all mass produced, foreign built, pieces of shit. I've seen great and bad examples of nearly every popular brand. Same goes for desktops and vehicles and so on. Just find a brand you've had luck with and stick with it. This allows you to develop somewhat of a relationship with the TS/CS, gives you familiarity with the features, specs, offerings, etc, and familiarity with the HW/SW setup which can make maintenance/repair easier. That's what I've done and I have no regrets.

8/6/2009 8:05:42 AM

^ Agreed. It's like any relationship... some end up crappy and others work out fine, but rest assured that they will disappoint you eventually. So, just pick one and stick with it. That way you know how to deal with crap when crap comes around.

I'm biased towards Lenovo cause I use them all the time. I don't recommend their consumer line (IdeaPad) though... basically imported and rebadged chinese products. I stick with ThinkPads (business line).

[Edited on August 6, 2009 at 9:42 AM. Reason : ohhhh pinions...]

8/6/2009 9:42:05 AM

i don't know why the HPs get so hot, but mine started getting hotter and hotter and finally the motherboard died (only 2 years). I kept it cleaned out, i would take the bottom off and blow it out well (not just through vents). Like I said earlier, my friend has the same problem with his and ended up buying a cooling pad.

I don't want a laptop that I HAVE to buy a cooling pad for..

I'm thinking about getting a new one this weekend during tax free, but it probably won't be an HP.

8/6/2009 12:14:46 PM

I currently own a Y450 and its been pretty fantastic so far. Any problems I've had can be related to Vista, not the hardware.

8/6/2009 2:40:22 PM

My 5 year old R52 Thinkpad is still going strong, never had to do the first thing to it. Kinda makes me lean towards Lenovo a bit, even though I have very little experience with them.

[Edited on August 6, 2009 at 4:28 PM. Reason : It gets turned off maybe once a month]

8/6/2009 4:27:30 PM

I know you weren't asking for new suggestions but take a look at the newly released Sony Vaio NW. Just picked one up for my wife and she's loving it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117908

8/6/2009 5:21:07 PM

As @wdprice3 sort of said, you are going to hear great stories and horrible stories about every laptop brand out there. Try to get your hands on them and just pick the one that feels right to you, which is the same advice I give to people seeking advice on cameras. You have to physically interact with it everyday -- pick the one that is most intuitive to you. I mean heck, things like port selection & placement, weight, and price just end up mattering more on a daily basis.

8/6/2009 6:50:43 PM

well that's how i got to these 3, i own an HP (compaq), i have used a lenovo extensively, and have friends with HP, Lenovo, and Asus all of which approve.

8/6/2009 7:44:06 PM

Quote :

"Any problems I've had can be related to Vista, not the hardware."

I'm gonna go with user error or lack of hardware to run Vista. I don't see how you all have so many problems and think it's a Vista issue. I've seen plenty of Vista machines running like a champ. And the Vista machines I've seen with issues, were either due to a moron owner being stupid or a moron owner that thought 1gb was good enough, etc, etc, etc.

8/7/2009 7:52:31 AM

I've had plenty of experience with the Thinkpad line post-Lenovo takeover (supported/extensively used X41t, T43, T60, T61, T400, T500) and in my experience they still make solid and high-quality machines. I've heard less than flattering things about their non-thinkpad lines, but that's just hearsay with no personal experience.

I may be in the market for a 8.5" or 10" netbook soon, and based on recommendations I'm particuarly inclined to go with an ASUS. If I wanted a full-featured laptop I'd get a Thinkpad (or maybe a Dell Latitude, but probably not) but in the netbook arena ASUS seems to be the winner. But that's just me.

8/8/2009 8:47:48 PM