Need a laptop...

[STRONGBADF1]

Hi All,

I am looking for a laptop computer for my wife. She is going back to school online to finish her degree in business management and wants a laptop.

I know what she needs for performance and program wise.

My question is what brands are most reliable/durable?

Thanks,
SBF1

 

[adk highlander]

I've ben buying and using Dell machines for almost 10 years. This has ranged from laptops, desktops, servers and workstations. I have had very few problems and had good luck with their customer service.

Now I do come at this from a standpoint where I only call when I know what the problem is and need them to send a part. I don't deal with them for troubleshooting so I cannot comment on that.

One thing to remember is laptops become outdated much faster than desktops and are more expensive to upgrade and are more liable to get damaged or stolen.

My 2 cents.

 

[Nimrod]

Apple Rocks these days.

The Mac line just kills Microsoft.

 

[annunaki]

During a stint in the insurance business, I found that Panasonic's tough books are the most rugged laptop available. They are used in the military as well. They use a metal case. They have been dropped off of a desktop onto a concrete floor with no issues.

During military testing one of the requirements was that the computer could be used as a weapon to defend one's self in hand to hand combat and still work. It passed.

If you need rugged durability they are the ticket. Definitely not cheap though.

 

[majorloser]

During a stint in the insurance business, I found that Panasonic's tough books are the most rugged laptop available. They are used in the military as well. They use a metal case. They have been dropped off of a desktop onto a concrete floor with no issues.

During military testing one of the requirements was that the computer could be used as a weapon to defend one's self in hand to hand combat and still work. It passed.

If you need rugged durability they are the ticket. Definitely not cheap though.

You can buy almost three regular laptops for the price of a Toughbook.
Just don't spend over $1K and consider it disposable. The Dell is a good choice.

 

[masak_aer]

Besides Dell, I use Toshiba a lot. One is running great on its 5th year, the other is a year. Sony isn't recommendable (we have 4 since 2005 and all of them have been not very smooth ride). Apple is the pick if you don't mind spending a lil' bit more.

Please don't hate me if any of you are Sony lovers..

 

[jonnythan]

The Dell business line (Latitudes), the Gateway business line, and all of Apple's laptops are very very good.

HP/Compaq notebooks are entirely decent at a generally lower price point, especially around the holidays.

Stay away from Toshiba, Acer, and Sony.

 

[annunaki]

You can buy almost three regular laptops for the price of a Toughbook.
Just don't spend over $1K and consider it disposable. The Dell is a good choice.

I never said it was cheap. They are built like a tank though.


I use a Dell at home as well. So far so good.

 

[jonnythan]

Oh, some general thoughts on laptops:

I'm a big, big fan of widescreen notebooks.

15.4" screens are too big to carry around all the time. 14.1" screens are *just* the right compromise between usability and portability. 13.3" is also great if the resolution is over 1280x720, especially if you want a notebook on the smaller and lighter side. Every pound counts when you're carrying it around a lot.

Get at least 1GB of RAM (RAM is cheap to add after purchase, but you don't want to use it much with less than 1GB), and get a Core 2 Duo processor. No AMD processors, no Pentium processors.

 

[Mort Corey]

Features and style wise I think I'd buy a Fujitsu if I were in the market. Just bought a new Sony N395E/B machine for my graddaughter for Xmas, and for the money ($650 on sale at BB) it appears to have the oomph for high school homework. At that price it's almost a disposable product.

Mort

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Thanks All!

 

[Dolby CP-200]

I used to have a laptop which was so old at the time it was something a friend didn’t want no more because it was superseded anyway I use a pc now. And talking of laptops check out the scene where Mr Bean is travelling by train.

In Mr. Bean's Holiday, Mr. Bean's careless attempts at saving himself from ... Mr. Bean spills coffee on a man's laptop. The laptop is ruined, but Mr. Bean doesn’t give a toss.

Mr. Bean's Holiday trailer #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mq2dgadXiU