Laptop recommendations
 

I may be in the market for a new laptop, as my Dell might be on it's last leg... I was wondering if anyone had recommendations/warnings about laptops.

Basically looking for something smaller and lighter and under $2K. I'm really interested in a Sony Vaio TR3, but my friend is trying very hard to convince me to get an IBM x40 series or t series, but the issue with the x series is that you have to add on a lot to get a CD RW drive (which I do want). The Vaio has all the features I want,but i've heard bad stories about people having problems with them.

What kind of laptop do you have? What kind of problems have you h ad with it?

I recently got a Mac 12" Powerbook, and have absolutely nothing but success on it. :) It was under $2000CDN...

I have a 15" MAC Powerbook, and LOVE it!! The only drawback I can see is that certain applications don't work with MAC unless you add Virtual Windows...but then I'd be opening up my MAC to the possibility of viruses....which isn't an issue for MACs at this point in time...

Mac it. Since you're a student, you can get a pretty sweet discount. Plus, they just look better.

When I was laptop shopping--it was between the thinnest Sony VAIO that still had internal drives and the Powerbook (12"). The Mac was cheaper, with wireless and Bluetooth combined. With my student discount, I was able to buy a printer and upgrade to a DVD burner and still pay less than regular ticket price.

Thanks for your recommendations, I should probably have stated that I wanted a PC. I hate Macs, I have lots of experience on Macs from a former job and I am not going to be converted ;)

If you're determined to go PC (no conversion attempts here! ;) ), I would recommend Dell and STAY AWAY from Gateway!! I've heard nothing but ridiculuous stories about their customer service....

Good luck!

I have a Sony VAIO and it's been superb for me - no issues at all, extremely lightweight, and out of control side features.

have you had to deal with their support at all?

I had a Sony Vaio and here was my issue with it. The fricking monitor on the laptop died. What crap is that? Sony didn't fix it.

If I were you I would go with the thinnest Dell with built-in wifi (not a card). To me the support on these pc laptops has to be astronomical since they're getting thinner.

Also I don't know about you but for me, the size was a huge issue. Apple makes this amazing 17 inch powerbook but who the heck carries a home theatre system with them as a laptop?!? I got something that was 12 inches and about an inch thick. Also you don't want to hook up the cd drive or any drive externally. That is rather annoying.

-Rudey

When I was shopping for a Powerbook, my husband wanted me to get the 17" because is was such a large screen...my feeling (as is yours) was that if I was going to get that large of a screen, then there was no point getting a laptop! I got the 15" and have never had any regrets.

Another recommendation is to make sure that the CD/DVD drive burns and plays CD/DVD's...and know what type of media it'll use...the Powerbooks only use -R/RW discs...there are others that use +/- R/RW media...know what you're buying...

What? I've heard the exact opposite! I have a Gateway laptop (450 series I think) that I've had for almost two years, and it's only ever given me a problem once, about 6 mo. ago. I called customer service and they were very helpful and helped me fix the problem.

I have no first-hand experience with Dell customer service, but one of my friends violently hates them for the time when she had to deal with them. Apparently they took over a month to fix the problem and were very rude.

Do NOT get a Compaq laptop. That was my first one and it really sucked. All sorts of problems there.

I'll agree with the Compaq....even their desktop have problems!!!

As for Gateway...I had a friend who bought one and had nothing but problems with the setup, the customer service, and the programming...ironically, all the Gateways in my area have closed down...hmmm....coincidence?? I think not ;)

You've probably never heard of the company, but I bought an Averatec laptop about a month ago and so far it's been really nice. I got a widescreen and it's still pretty lightweight, and very expandable. I almost got their lightweight one, but I'll admit that I didn't like how limited I was with the RAM.

I looked at Dell, and I was getting a better computer for the same price with the Averatec I bought. They're a small company, but they're getting a lot more notice.

I had a dell desktop and my dad had a dell laptop. Both worked fine for about a year and started having all kinds of problems. The service and support was awful. One time this technician transferred me to himself and then said it was another person. I also was asked repeatedly if the computer was turned on or plugged into the wall. I'm not completely clueless when it comes to computers and I felt insulted and as if my problems were a joke to the service guy.

I recently made the switch June 30th to a 12" iBook and I'll never look back. It's not without it's problems but it's not like being on a windows machine at all. Also when I call AppleCare I don't feel like I'm being made fun of at all.

While mine is a Toshiba, every techie I know really raves about the Dell. The other message board I frequent has about 8 techies on the one thread where I post - every last one of them loves the Dell.

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.

I'm about to get a laptop too.....everyone I talk to says get a Toshiba. Why? Someone tell me a little bit more about it. Consumer reports says Dell is the best. Someone fill me in.

My mother in law has a Sony and she had the screen go out. She called Sony and they wouldn't fix it. Basically said sorry! I can't remember what the reason was but luckily she bought it at Best Buy and bought the extended on it. They will replace with a new unit. So they did. It has been a couple of months now and she hasn't had any problems yet.

The Toshiba is probably one of the better laptops that you can buy "off the shelf" at the popular electronics stores (Best Buy, Circuit City). Dell and Gateway are harder to get, but are better machines.

Dee

ETA: My fave ever laptop was an Acer though.

I am actually INCREDIBLY happy with Dell right now and strongly suggest their extended service plans to anyone who buys one.

They picked up my computer Tuesday afternoon. About 10 minutes ago, it was delivered back to my door. The hinges were pretty much busted when I sent it in, as well as the screen being blue, etc. It now has new hinges and a new cover, and they fixed the bug with my BIOS, and the screen is no longer blueish!

YEAH FOR DELL! Less than 48 hour turn around time!

PROBLEMS WITH TOSHIBAS (listen up craig):

-high 'DOA' and high incidences of returns for endemic/out of box problems
-traditionally poor customer support
-poorly constructed - lots of the "five days past warranty"-type damage
-lots of proprietary hardware - difficult and expensive to fix

That said - they're cheap, and you can get them fixed anywhere on the planet b/c of BestBuy and CompUSA . . .

Depending on what you're looking for, it's hard to recommend anything specific, but higher rankings go to Dell, Sony, and Gateway (although still riding past successes - not so solid any more) . . . Sager was clearly the best laptop company, but I believe Dell bought them out for the marketshare, so that blows.

I completely agree about Toshibas. Mine decided to turn itself off whenever it wanted, conveniently in the middle of my papers, right after the return policy was over. Tech support wouldn't do anything about it because they said it was up to the store, and the store said it was past the time I could trade it in. I ended up having to sweet talk a manager into taking it back because it wasn't usable. I ended up getting my HP that night, and I still love it three years later. I've had friends have similar problems with Toshibas, too. I'd definitely stay away.