Laptop purchase - Tech Support Forums

swamp-fox · February 23rd, 2002, 12:32 AM

I'm looking for a laptop to buy. Doesn't have to be the fastest available but don't want an old 133 either. I need it mostly for internet when I'm not home and as extra cow for UD. Was thinking $400.00 to $800.00 or so. Already posted in buy trade forum but am also asking for suggestion's. Should I just get new one that is middle grade and go ahead and spend extra couple hundred dollars. But hate to spend too much just to use internet when I'm away from home. Would like at least 14" screen.
Thanks
swampy

chrisj48 · February 23rd, 2002, 01:29 AM

stay away from Dell laptops, they make good desktops but their laptops have serious problems. Compaq and IBM make great laptops, I'd personally buy a IBM.

-Chris

KAknight · March 4th, 2002, 02:23 PM

I disagree with chrisj48.

IMO Dell makes wonderful laptops. I have worked in 2 all Dell shops with 7 different models of dell laptops and they are all superb machines. IBM also makes a fine laptop, but I find that they are overpriced. Compaq also makes very nice laptops.

At Circuit City there is a Toshiba Satellite laptop on sale that is $800 after rebates. It has a 1.06 GHz Celeron, 14.1 screen, 256 MB RAM, DVD, 15GB Hard Drive. I got this laptop a few days ago and was very pleased.

Ptrper · March 4th, 2002, 06:46 PM

Having worked for Bestbuy as a service tech, the majority of laptops that have come in have been the Compaq, HP and some Toshiba laptops.

I would have to agree that Dells make a pretty good laptop, if you're willing to pay the price for them. I didn't like Gateways too much, but from my understanding, they haven't had too many problems either. The only issue with them is that they hardly come with any good hardware.

Personally, I wasn't too thrilled with Sony VAIO systems until I purchased the latest with the Athlon4 processor. Aside from coming preinstalled with XP, I have no real gripe about it.

**GroundZero3** · March 4th, 2002, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisj48
stay away from Dell laptops, they make good desktops but their laptops have serious problems. Compaq and IBM make great laptops, I'd personally buy a IBM.

-Chris

whoa dude you must of gotten one out of a million because we use dells at work and NEVER had a problem. i own one myself and i love it to death. i heard dells desktops were the ones to watch out for.

and shame on you for saying compaq is great

j/j

Toshibas and Dells get my vote along with micron (<--- expensive and mostly made for work related)

kendo · March 4th, 2002, 07:04 PM

bought a few things from here they have some in stock too

http://www.surplusvillage.com//searc...095TN2DM0V9NF9

Inanis · March 4th, 2002, 07:39 PM

In our shop, we have very rarely have a Dell computer, and NEVER have a Dell laptop in for any kind of real service.

The laptops we get in the most for real dirty service are cheap crap, and Compaq's.

Reido! · March 4th, 2002, 08:17 PM

I think the way to go would either be Toshiba or Dell. My Dad has a Dell laptop that has done well for him for about a year. Myself, I have a Toshiba. The only thing the Toshibas lack is a great selection of software but most people don't use the software bundled with computers anyway. We don't have Best Buys here in Canada (yet) but I think the laptop KAknight was talking about is a 1800 VF1. A fantastic laptop with a lot of features for a low price.

Stay away from Compaq. I work at a Big Box office supply store and the biggest laptop for repairs/returns are Compaqs. I don't know what Compaq does to the Presario laptops but they are crap.

Reid

Maxwell T · March 4th, 2002, 09:07 PM

I have a Dell Inspiron 7000. I've had it going 2 years. Honestly, not one problem. Never had to re-install the OS or anything like that. This machine has become my desktop replacement at home (it's supposed to be my work machine). I've thrown AutoCad R14, MS VB Studio, countless pc cards at it, it's handled everything flawlessly (ok, maybe not flawlessly, but nothing too terrible has ever happened)- I can honestly say I use it every day! My old Satellite Pro makes a nice door stop....

swamp-fox · March 5th, 2002, 12:39 AM

Thank's everyone I went ahead and bought a new one.
Kaknight I believe it is the same one you got the toshiba 1005-S157. I Just got back in town and stopped at office depot and they had it for $899 plus $100.MIR and guess what??? When I go check out they have another $100.00 mir from O/D so that's 2 X$100 rebates off the 899 price.I was very happy camper. So it work's out to $699.00+tax $63.00 total is$762.00 I think a great deal.