Laptop Opinions

[ALaRiva]

Anyone care to give their opinion on a good laptop they would like to get.

I was deciding between the Acer Ferrari 3400LMi and the Fujitsu N6010.

I've since taken the Acer off the list because it does not have a full sized keyboard, or a 10-key pad. I can't stand the numbers across the top.

So I'm 99.9% sure I'm going with the Fujitsu, but I'd like to get some opinions.

I have posted this question on lots of forums, and I never get replies, so maybe this site will have some good feedback.

- Anthony

[XL-Dennis]

Anthony,

I'm a IBM-man and I've been it for the last 20 years. I recently bought a new laptop T42 which I'm pleased with. IBM does not offer the latest hotest technology or is not the cheapest option but stands for reliability and quality with a good service.

Here is a review: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1592552,00.asp

Kind regards,
Dennis

[sandam]

My firm only use IBM laptops, although previously we did get some HP/Compaq's. The IBM is a hard wearing machine so I'll have to agree with Dennis on that one. And the latter are also good but more as desktop replacements.

[Paleo]

I always used Compaq, now HP and am very happy with them. I would say the worst HP/Compaq problem is batteries life. They last too little.

[countingapples]

I thought we had given you some opinions last night Anthony. I'm sorry they weren't helpful to you.

[ALaRiva]

No, Apples they were more than helpful, I'm just still looking around.

I'm still a little skeptical of the Systemax built to order.

The HPs I liked, but I couldn't find one that had everything I wanted, and with all of the upgrades added to it, it would end up being not worth it.

I keep getting the opinion from alot of people who own repair shops for notebooks and they keep saying that the Fujitsu is one of the laptops that they don't see many problems with, and many people get good quality and use out of them.

I didn't mean to offend, I'm planning on purchasing next week, and using this week to go around getting opinions, I'll be in the CA Chat most of the week and on Friday as well to get some more opinions.

- Anthony

[Scottie P]

If I had about $3500 USD to spend on a laptop...Alienware's 5500 or 7700 series (custom builds available). This is not a familiar name in the open market, but they have been around for a little while now and turn out some very interesting machines! I also understand that their support and tech dept. is unbeatable (but do not know from first-hand experience) - this is second hand information.
http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Area-51m/area-51m_features.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51-M&SubCode=SKU-PERFORMANCE


On a more practical scale, I sort of like the Toshiba Satellite, but like some of the newer breed laptops the keyboard looks a bit small. This appears to be a nice, adaptable series from Toshiba...

Another choice would be the Acer Aspire line...they appear to have a tad larger keyboard area, they are adaptable and appear to be more moderately priced than their competitors (with similar or same set up).

I have been looking around as it seems that a laptop may soon suit needs here; I wouldn't rely strictly on the built-in keyboard or mouse pad to make a decision here as there are ports for full-size keyboard and mouse available...so that sort of brings the shopping around to Practicallity vs Needs/Uses vs Price...

[ALaRiva]

OK, So the waiting thing didn't work out.

When my client found out that I wasn't going to be working this weekend because I was going to be out of town, he forwarded over the cash to get it.

So now I've got another hour and I'm going to pick up my new Fujitsu N6010, upgraded to XP Pro, and an added freebie of a $100 Wireless Microsoft Mouse

I'm so happy!!! Especially cause I got $400+ knocked off the price

- Anthony

[XL-Dennis]

Good luck with it and let it serve You for some years :)

Dennis

[Zack Barresse]

Sounds like a desperate client! :p

Good luck!! :yes

[countingapples]

Congrats on your new purchase!!! Enjoy! :beerchug:

[JonPeltier]

I always used Compaq, now HP and am very happy with them. I would say the worst HP/Compaq problem is batteries life. They last too little.
I know the discussion's over, and Anthony's got his brand new machine. I just was going to chime in on Carlos' post. In our house, we have six working PCs (and an old Mac Plus in mothballs). Our original Gateway desktop, running Win95 and Office97; two Compaq laptops, a Compaq desktop, and two HP desktops. I've always been happy with the HP/Compaq machines, they're economical, perform reasonably well, and put up with a lot of abuse.

[WillR]

I know it's late, but I'll add my 2p.

Like John, We have 2 HP/Compaq desktops

1 x (getting very old now) Compaq Deskpro EN P3 - purchased for ?25 from work at the end of it's 3 year frontline duties, complete with Win 2K Pro - still working away merrily without a hitch.

1 x HP Pavilion P4 - this is the workhorse & (touch wood) , has never missed a beat in the 2 & a half years I have had it. Running XP Pro.

1 x IBM Thinkpad (again old P3 but perfectly adequate) - This is what I use when I'm "on the run" - as Dennis says, they are never the top end in terms of power or "gimmicks/gadgets" but they have always been reliable - better than the Toshiba's I previously had anyway.

At some point this year I will probably upgrade the IBM - and as yat haven't seen a reason to change brand.... although I might try HP.

:)

[shades]

And, don't forget the new PowerBook from Apple, and if you need Office, use Virtual PC. :D

[Aaron Blood]

I'd go with the highend Dell XPS over the alien any day.

I don't even think they (Alienware) offer the cool green one anymore.:dunno




If I had about $3500 USD to spend on a laptop...Alienware's 5500 or 7700 series (custom builds available). This is not a familiar name in the open market, but they have been around for a little while now and turn out some very interesting machines! I also understand that their support and tech dept. is unbeatable (but do not know from first-hand experience) - this is second hand information.
http://www.alienware.com/product_detail_pages/Area-51m/area-51m_features.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51-M&SubCode=SKU-PERFORMANCE

[Cosmos75]

If I had about $3500 USD to spend on a laptop...Alienware's 5500 or 7700 series (custom builds available). This is not a familiar name in the open market, but they have been around for a little while now and turn out some very interesting machines!
I second the vote for Alienware. They are having a sale now!
http://alienware.com/Product_Pages/notebook_home_office.aspx

But they used to have all sorts of colors like they do for their desktops. Don't see that available anymore?
:(

[Aaron Blood]

And, don't forget the new PowerBook from Apple, and if you need Office, use Virtual PC. :D

Apple... <sigh>

Do I even need to say it?

[Scottie P]

I noticed that too Cosmos.
They used to have a really cool looking 'Sunburst Orange' laptop - even last year (reminded me of a Gibson Les Paul) and I didn't see that one in the line up either. I guess it was getting too expensive to carry the stock when it didn't sell. :(

Aaron, I did look over the XPS - that is a 'loaded' machine for the money!

[Aaron Blood]

Aaron, I did look over the XPS - that is a 'loaded' machine for the money!

Yeah I've been watching the price on the XPS gen2 since December.

Base machine includes a good Intel CPU, user accessible vid card and ram slots.
Comes with 512MB RAM base, and an nVidia 6800 GPU. I'm not sure if I would order the extra ram thru dell they seem a bit 'spensive. (2 gigs for an extra $750, ouch!)

The only upgrades I'd add to the base machine would be:
- HDD 60Gb 7200 RPM ($99 upgrade)
- CD/DVD Burner ($99 upgrade)

With those 2 upgrades the cost is still like $2500, you can't really beat that. Of course, the other cool thing about it is the case itself is customizable. Did you notice all the different designs you can have on it. I think there's even a skull theme.

[Ken Puls]

Hey guys,

Anyone had any experience with the Toshiba Satellite series? I'm currently looking at this one (http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/en-US/Product+Detail/Computers.htm?CatalogNavigationBreadCrumbs=Computers;Computers;PC%20Compute r%20Systems;Notebooks;Toshiba%20Satellite%20P30-RG1%20Notebook%20Computer&CS_Catalog=Computers&CS_RootCategory=Computers&CS_Category=Notebooks&CS_ProductID=1107390&ProductTab=1).

I can basically buy from about three places. Staples, London Drugs (they do a ton of computers in Canada) and a local reseller. The weird thing is that when you talk to them on warranties:
-Staples tells you to buy an extended warranty on any laptop.
-London Drugs (2 sep salesmen) tell you not to bother on a Toshiba. Others yes, Toshiba no.
-My local reseller (network/server guys) say not to bother with extended.

On most things, I never pick up the extended warranty, but I've never owned a laptop before. Given that they're carried around, I'm thinking that they're a little more likely to have an issue than a desktop. But when I've got 3 salesmen telling me no, and one telling me yes, I'm leaning towards not bothering.

Curious to know if any of you, someone you know, uses a Toshiba Satellite, and what your recommedations are.

I'll be making the purchase in two weeks, so I have until then for feedback. (Give me good or bad! :yes)

Thanks!