Laptops

[donutsweeper]

I'm still having computer and internet problems. Some is due to the cold, the internet (despite being cable) hates cold weather and gets terribly sluggish when it's below zero and buggers up completely if it's below -10. But I think some is due to the old desktop I've been using. I've been considering a laptop for a while now, but never looked seriously.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Either on brands that are good or particularly bad, on RAM or hard drive capabilities, on size or weight. On anything really. So far all we've decided on is that I won't be getting a netbook or a Mac (and it has to be available in the US, obviously).

I may or may not be able to respond to your posts, but I'll get them via email so I will be able to read them at least. And I'll really appreciate any help! :)

Comments

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

Toshibas are good. Don't get an acer!

[padawanpooh.livejournal.com]

Hubby and I run Dells which seem to be fine.

[scarlettgirl.livejournal.com]

Nothing is worse than technology turning on you!

I have an HP laptop (which is general property for the family's use), an acer netbook and a Toshiba laptop (my workhorse). The HP seems fine but I haven't put it through it's paces enought to give a thorough review. The acer netbook is a darling and have wicked battery life but since you're not in the market for a netbook, skip on by.

The Toshiba, as I said, is my work horse. This is my second Toshiba and has worked like a charm. (The first went tits up after being dropped and having months of HD problems - thanks to Best Buy's warranty, it was replaced. I do believe in extended warranties for laptops.) My only complaint is that it is rather notorious for power issues: cables going bad and batteries draining. I'm on my second power cable and battery in 3.5 years. But I also abuse the heck out of by not turning it off for days, etc. As far as perfomance and graphics, I've been pleased. Although right now I'm dealing with some nasty issues thanks to a Norton update. Screw you Norton!

Good luck!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

cables going bad
I KNEW I couldn't the only one - Support always try and tell me it isn't a known issue!

[scarlettgirl.livejournal.com]

Support lies like a dog. Go on any forum and you'll hear horror stories. Even if you go on the toshiba sight and read reviews of the batteries and power cables you'll get a lot of ugly truths. If it wasn't for that, I'd give this machine two thumbs up.

[drunken-hedghog.livejournal.com]

What sort of money do you have? We run Sony, HP, Samsung and Toshiba laptops, all without problems.

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

I can't remember what my first laptop was, but it was a lemon. The second, an HP, was great until, when it was only two years old, the battery and power cord connection started getting so hot they literally melted some parts inside the computer and I couldn't find anyone to fix it. Before that happened I had to replace three power supply/cords in two months, and I burned my hands on the computer. I wasn't impressed.

I've heard really great things about the lifespan of Apple laptops. I don't know if you're up for that much cash outlay though.

I have an HP desktop at work that I love and has been trouble free for the three years I've been using it. The rest of the faculty got Dell laptops, and they have not been so great, apparently.

Good luck! Yay, new computer!

[cat-77.livejournal.com]

I have an HP at home that I use to death. Leave it on far too much, but it was holding up pretty well until recently. It's about 3.5 years old now and starting to go. If I leave it on, but close it, it takes forever (and, possibly, opening and closing the CD drive for some reason) before it will refresh and start going again. It's also losing the internet connection at times but that could be a combo of age, an old card, and the current weather which is, oddly enough, very similar to your own. :)

I also have an ASUS mini-laptop that E is outfitting with an external and a few other bells and whistles. Runs really well, but you have to get used to the smaller keyboard. I think it's too close to a netbook though, which is something you said you don't want right now.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the computer.
Mac. :D I love mine. Currently have a Powerbook, but depending on what you need, a Macbook is great, too-that's what my sister has.

[pointytilly.livejournal.com]

If you go Dell, stalk their outlet for specs similar to what you want, assuming you can sneak online to do so. There's ones ordered new and returned hardly-if-ever-touched, if refurb/scratch and dent would bug you, and you can get a nice chunk of money off that way.

My main laptop from them is a Studio 1535. Far as I know anything in that general line can run Vista and Windows 7...I'm not sure about XP. Ubuntu (mostly) works beautifully, if you ever want to try it too. My only big complaint is the CD drive is a crappy slot drive, and mine died...though I have the world's WORST luck with optical drives. I didn't bother getting it replaced since I have a much faster external drive. The one time my mom called their tech support (she has a Dell netbook) they bounced her around a lot, but when she finally got the right person they were helpful.

Far as specs, depends on what you want it to do. I wouldn't get less than two gigs of RAM, though, especially if you're running newer Windows. You can always upgrade the RAM later, and it'll probably be cheaper getting it from Newegg or the like than from the original manufacturer.

SSDs are sexy, but likely not worth it yet unless you REALLY are speed-hungry and don't mind buying an external drive for most of your crap. Otherwise...well, it's a laptop, the hard drive isn't gonna be that fast. Get the biggest one you can reasonably afford.

If you're looking to put the thing actually IN your lap more often, 15" laptops are a bit painful (they tend to be 6+ pounds and will get hot). If it's more going to be doing a bit of moving but mostly sitting at a desk, that's my personal favorite balance of mobility and screen size. 17" ones are nice, but HUGE when you get to the actually moving it around half of things. Any mostly desk-bound laptop, get a cooler for it if you can. (The cooler you can keep a laptop, the happier it'll be. Like I can talk with what I make mine do.)

From what I hear, AMD's mobile processors have Battery Life Issues, unless that's been fixed.

Hope you can find a computer that likes you/sorry for the longarse ramble D:.

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

My first laptop was a Toshiba, and the only problem I ever had with that was when the backlight on the screen broke. It's a running problem, apparently, because my dad's second Toshiba did the same thing.

I would advise you, however, to never, ever name a laptop HAL 9000. That may have been my original mistake with that one.

My mother has a Sony VAIO, which is a pretty good computer, especially considering it's several years old, which is ancient in computer time.

Of course, I love my MacBook (and I loved my iBook before that), but I got the cheapest one at just over $1,000. I honestly think they're worth the money, but, then, if you're used to a PC, maybe not so much.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

I am big fan of Toshibas EXCEPT for my power cord troubles. I don't know if they have a special money saving deal with a crap supplier or what because the machines I've had have both been excellent - and sons are stillusing my old one. It's just the cords keep failing/breaking :(