I've only had to call one time, and that's when I spilled something onto the keyboard b/c I'm a drunken idiot - they answered within 5 minutes, and gave me the quote plus a lead on a 3rd party to do the work if I so desired (since I was out of warranty).

Past that, I've never had any real trouble.


And w/ re: to the widescreen laptops - my business machine is a PowerBook w/ a 15 inch widescreen . . . it's really not all that special, the increased desktop space is borderline useless (and it makes web browsers and word docs look silly as all hell), and also Macs can eat my ass unless a.) you're doing heavy graphics work b.) your office requires them (ours does) or c.) you enjoy soft pastels and pansy ass looking icons.

Actually, that's b/c they closed all of their stores and are operating purely online now.

Personally, I prefer Gateway over Dell. I've had my Gateway desktop since 1998 and it's still going strong, but here at work all we have are Dells and they seem to break every 2-3 years...

If you use a PC laptop, you obviously play the skin flute.

-Rudey

The Dell Inspiron series has enough options to customize when ordering to meet the options you want at a price you want.

I have a Dell Inspiron 2600. While I like the tech support (bought the extended coverage, thankfully)- they should be picking up my computer from my office as we speak, I am not impressed with the quality of it. My hinges are cracked badly, the power cord needed replaced, and it's only about 2 years old. It's also very slow and has had a lot of other problems.

http://www.cnet.com/

This website has a lot of product reviews.

-Rudey

I had a Toshiba, and it died within a month. I'll never own another one again.

I've had friends get the Sony Vaio, and they've all traded them in within months because they had so many problems with them.

I've had an HP for several years and have been extremely happy. I got mine at Circuit City after shopping around for prices. I've had it for about 3 years and it still runs extremely well. Customer service is GREAT! I've only had to call twice, and my wait was no more than a few minutes both times. The problem was easily fixed. HP is the same as Compaq, and I highly recommend them both.

I'm looking for a powerbook now, but since you don't want a mac, then I guess you don't want to hear my praises for that ;)

I've had mine for about 6 months now...if you need some feedback, let me know!

If you want to stay on the PC side of the PC/Mac argument, look into IBM. I've been very happy with my Thinkpad. Dell also makes some good machines.

Stay away from Gateway. My husband's work computer is a Gateway laptop and it has given him nothing but grief. He calls it his cr@ptop.

If you're looking for a Mac, some of their machines are pretty sweet.

I have a Toshiba too. I really like it. My desktop is a Dell. It's alright.

I also have a Toshiba, and it's great. The only drawback is the size - my Satellite is HUGE - but powerful, and it has everything i need. I reccomend the brand but i guess just check out the dimensions if size is really that important to you.

have you checked out any Tablet PCs?

I have a Toshiba that I got, its replacing an old Toshiba laptop that I had for 5 yrs with no problems so I am very happy with Toshiba.

I also had an HP laptop which sucked, the monitor on that one died after 1.5 yrs and it would have cost me more to replace it than to buy a new laptop. After that incident I read online that HP laptops are prone to monitors dying.

Re: to Gateway, my roommate sophomore year had a Gateway desktop and had problems with it throughout our 4 yrs of college.

I only use my Toshiba about once a week, and when I travel (about a week a month). It is cumbersome - but I'm shocked at how much abuse it's taken without any problems! (and I so hope that I didn't just jinx myself!!)

Has anyone used the cellphone to laptop connector? Which one do y'all recommend? (Sorry for the hijack, kddani!)

I have a Sony VAIO and after about 4 months, the 6, the _- and the delete keys all stopped working totally. After hours on the phone with tech support, they insisted it was a software problem (NOT) and had me re-install it to the original software and it still didn't help, but they still insisted there was no hardware problem. I got nowhere with them and finally just found work arounds. I don't use it much now, because it's just too much of a pain.

Dell Tech Support... I make a few calls a year to Dell and have always had great tech support with them, although I am working with the corporate side and not the home side, because I'm doing it for work. We've had some hardware problems with a handful of them, but for the most part, they're very good. Buy the onsite next day warranty for sure. For those who complain about a laptop dying after 3 years.. I wouldn't expect one that is heavily used to last longer than 3 years. There's a reason that warranties are offered for 3 years and no more. Laptops are very delicate inside. The cables inside them are easy to tear, the parts in them are so small and to have these mega fast (very hot) processors in such a small space makes them get hot quickly which takes it's toll on the other components too. Don't EVER use a laptop on a soft surface. This is why they call them notebooks now and not laptops. The area where the fan blows out cannot be blocked at ALL. An overheated processor will wreak havoc on the poor lil laptop.

My 2 cents!

Dee

One more thing: If your laptop is going to spend a significant amount of time in one place (like on your desk), and you have peripherals you want to use while you're there (a "real" monitor and keyboard, external speakers, etc.) think about getting a port replicator or a docking station. I have a port replicator, and it's far easier to pop my laptop into that than play with half a dozen cables... Just make absolutely certain the port replicator or docking station you get is compatible with your specific model of laptop.