Laptop recommendation

[Sara]

My laptop lost its marbles and while we're not yet sure whether or not it can be fixed I'm preparing for the worst.

So does anyone of you guys have a recommendation for something which is not fruit related, has a decent amount of hd space and will be used for mostly coding/graphics and a teeny amount of game play and which is in the neighborhood of $1000. XP Pro would be a + too though I doubt many of them a sold like that anymore

*sobbing in my beer*

[Ron]

/me comfort Sara

[the_ancient]

Here are 20 with WinXP Pro

I would go with one of the Toshiba's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

[JPC-Greg]

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto... blcwb3h&s=bsd

[Sara]

Thanks guys

[jason]

We use Dells almost exclusively at work and I've never had a major problem with any of them (desktop, laptop, or server), although I know many people have different opinions of Dell.

My work laptop is a Gateway and the only problem I've had with that is that something broke (I'm still not sure exactly what it was) that caused only the fan to start (no boot). I called Gateway they overnighted a shipping box to me with a pre-paid overnight return label. I shipped it back and had it returned to me, repaired under warrantee, in three days. I was very impressed by that.

I also know people who swear by their Toshiba and Sony Viao laptops.

--Jason

[Frank Broughton]

Sarah - Toshiba is my recommendation. Seems better built than a Dell unit.

[Spathiphyllum]

Toshiba has a good reputation.

Anecdotally, I had a Compaq that had a persistent battery issue that was "patched" several times. Clearly, Compaq at the time was having some issues with their battery software/ROM since multiple attempts were required to resolve it on many models. I quit using the unit and don't know if it was ever fully resolved.

Still, Compaq is a reputable company and a serious laptop maker. There are several and trying to determine who is "best" is a bit tricky.

I'd suggest reading some past (and current) issues from Consumer Reports on their take of laptops and manufacturers. They are impartial, and reviewing several issues will at least give you a good idea of who to avoid. There are many good systems and customizations, so avoiding the proverbial lemon is sometimes the best you can do.

[the_ancient]

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto... blcwb3h&s=bsd

Dell DELL!!!

And you own a Business in the Computer Industry, you should be ashamed of your self. the only think worse than a dell is a Compaq(known as HP now).

[Sara]

Dell DELL!!!

And you own a Business in the Computer Industry, you should be ashamed of your self. the only think worse than a dell is a Compaq(known as HP now).

Be nice to him. The link was relevant because I don't want Vista.

[the_ancient]

Toshiba has a good reputation.

Anecdotally, I had a Compaq that had a persistent battery issue that was "patched" several times. Clearly, Compaq at the time was having some issues with their battery software/ROM since multiple attempts were required to resolve it on many models. I quit using the unit and don't know if it was ever fully resolved.

Almost all Laptop batteries are made by Sony, they hold the patent on Lithium Ion Cells

Still, Compaq is a reputable company and a serious laptop maker. There are several and trying to determine who is "best" is a bit tricky.

HA! HP/Compaq is the Laughing Stock of the Computer Industry, the only company with a worst rep is Packard Bell and they dont exist anymore. HP needs to stick to Printers.

I'd suggest reading some past (and current) issues from Consumer Reports on their take of laptops and manufacturers. They are impartial, and reviewing several issues will at least give you a good idea of who to avoid. There are many good systems and customizations, so avoiding the proverbial lemon is sometimes the best you can do.

Consumer Reports Impartial? HAHAHAHA, they have ads in the mags dont they? Who pays for those Ads?

They are no more Impartial than PC World, Computer Shopper, Wired, CPU, etc etc etc

[Spathiphyllum]

Almost all Laptop batteries are made by Sony, they hold the patent on Lithium Ion Cells

The issue may or may not have been related to the physical battery. Could have been a motherboard interface issue, a grounding issue, a BIOS incompatibility, etc. ... or the battery. The ultimate effect was a discharging issue that they had difficulty resolving.

HA! HP/Compaq is the Laughing Stock of the Computer Industry, the only company with a worst rep is Packard Bell and they dont exist anymore. HP needs to stick to Printers.

Compaq is not a fly-by-night manufacturer and they produce millions of devices. Hardly disreputable.

Consumer Reports Impartial? HAHAHAHA, they have ads in the mags dont they? Who pays for those Ads?

Umm, no they do not have ads. Just did a quick scan of my 03/07 issue. Not a single ad excepting for their own, internally produced advisor guide to investing and automobile reviews for which they create/acquire data. As per their policy page:

Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, accepts no corporate support, free samples, or advertising. We purchase all the products that we test. Your donations help make this possible...

They do not advertise, as they have stated as policy, nor have I observed advertisements in their publication for at least the past 25 years.

They are no more Impartial than PC World, Computer Shopper, Wired, CPU, etc etc etc

Demonstrably false.

[the_ancient]

The issue may or may not have been related to the physical battery. Could have been a motherboard interface issue, a grounding issue, a BIOS incompatibility, etc. ... or the battery. The ultimate effect was a discharging issue that they had difficulty resolving.


Compaq is not a fly-by-night manufacturer and they produce millions of devices. Hardly disreputable.

So did Packard Bell in their Hey Day, the only reason Compaq even survives in a Limited Fashion is because HP swooped in and pulled them from the Bankruptcy Fire, HP then Used their Massive Network of Printer Dealers for Force feed the Market HP/Compaq Crap....

Compaq never has, nor will they EVER make a quality product.

Umm, no they do not have ads. Just did a quick scan of my 03/07 issue. Not a single ad excepting for their own, internally produced advisor guide to investing and automobile reviews for which they create/acquire data. As per their policy page:

They do not advertise, as they have stated as policy, nor have I observed advertisements in their publication for at least the past 25 years.


Demonstrably false.

Maybe I am wrong about consumer Reports, but if they say Compaq is a Good Product then they need some New Tech Editors, they must be just coming off the abacus

[Spathiphyllum]

the_ancient,

I don't know how they rate or how they rated Compaq compared to other manufacturers and did not indicate an opinion from that institution. Compaq may have rated poorly, well, or anywhere in between on the limited number of units they can include within a given test period. Rest assured, however, that Consumer Reports will provide as honest and unbiased (however imperfect any study can be) an opinion as is to be had. Period.

My experience was anecdotal and an insignificant sample. N of 1 is utterly worthless though I offered it because it was relevant from a "Hey, I've used one of those before" perspective. I'm not defending Compaq or advancing their line as is evident because I described a negative experience with their product. However, it is irresponsible to make such a broad swipe at a company that has produced millions of computers for many years in an honest manner. If you have personal experience of a Compaq laptop that has failed you, then by all means, describe the issue and let Sara decide if it is a "problem" that she cannot accept. If you are just regurgitating second/third hand opinion, then you should disclose that in your conclusion rather than just proclaim a paraphrased "Yeah, they make crap and everyone knows it." Such an opinion is insignificant noise.

[Sara]

the_ancient,

If you have personal experience of a Compaq laptop that has failed you, then by all means, describe the issue and let Sara decide if it is a "problem" that she cannot accept.

I don't think dh want me to even look at the Compaqs. He's been using a couple for work and there's been more problems than not.