originale

Hi to all: My HP has just died and I need to buy a new laptop. Wondering what people would recommend. I primarily use it for browsing and creating documents. My son would like one as powerful as possible so he can run some games- I don't plan on buying a desktop.

Which computers are most reliable with the fewest problems. My HP ran into inverter problems which aren't worth fixing- too expensive. I understand that some computers have a reputation for known problems and I would like to avoid this. I use my computer about 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. Any special things or features you would recommend?

I also have a Linksys WRT 54G wireless router Version 1. Has router techology changed substantially that I should buy a new router as well?

And what should I expect re: lifespan of laptops? I have had mine for 3 years and a few things are going wrong with it. Is 3 years normal?

Thanks for all the advice.

yustr

You opened the can originale, are you sure you're ready for the answers?

If you look back at some recent threads on this subject you'll probably hear:

Laptops are not gaming machines
ebackhus likes his Acer.
IBM are good (but can the Chinese maintain the quality?)
My son likes his HP6130. (He does play games and uses it constantly).
Sony are over priced and too proprietary.
Toshiba was good but has gone down.
Nobody likes Dell (I'm typing this on a Dell D800 that has been very good.)
I don't recall much talk of Averetec, Gateway or Compaq.

It's been almost a year since I shopped for the HP6130. I'm sure there's new stuff out there.

Good hunting.

Joefireline

I am going to be getting a new laptop soon as well, so if anyone has got any advice on what to get, it would help 2 people!

c0z420

Well I work with Fugitzus all day and they suck *** so stay away from them. Unless they are a new model 1510 or 4020D ..those are well built and reliable but stay away from anything else from them. I have mixed feelings toward Dells. I bought a lattitude from a 1 owner and the hard drive went bad on it after not even a year and i work with Dell D600 and D610s and they seem alright and decently reliable, any older Dells kinda suck though. HP builds some decent machines, i've heard nothing but problems from Gateways so I havent ever bought anything from them. I would just go for whoever has decent support and good customer feedback.

ebackhus

Yustr tagged me!

Yes, I like my Acer. It's zippy and powerful. Not the greatest gaming machine but it does work.

I also have an older IBM ThinkPad T22. It's only 900Mhz but is plenty fast with all I've thrown at it.

Yes, Toshiba had good machines back in the day, but their recent offerings leave much to be desired.

Sony just isn't a brand I trust when it comes to computing. Plus they're god-awful to fix.

HP/Compaq are two brands I'd avoid like the plague.

Dell is a brand that has earned my dislike through constant failures and breakdowns. Not a day goes by where I don't lose one here at work.

Alienware has nice specs but it is horribly overpriced. Recently acquired by Dell.

Gateway has gone the way of Toshiba by falling from glory.

@Yustr - We have a D800 here at the library and it crawls. How fast is yours?

Joefireline

The problem with not buying a laptop which someone on a forum or in a review says is rubbish is that for every brand, you are going to get a lot of people disliking them, it is just the way it goes, if you get a laptop that you like, you are lucky, if you don't, you are unlucky.

originale

Thanks to all. I may buy a HP- my trusty computer supplier likes the HP. He hasn't had one returned of this model (can't remember which one it is) in the 18 mos he's been selling it. My HP has been pretty good ex for the notorious inverter problem they had with past models.

You're all right- for every one someone hates, another one loves. Some brands do have a bad rep. Like buying a car- except among cars, there seems to be more common consensus about what lines are good vs bad.

yustr

I don't really know. That may sound weird but I have no reason to worry aout it. I don't play many games - I did play Silent Hunter III on which it did fine. I have watched some DVD's but again, the speed is not the issue (the software was).

It's my work computer - basically a desktop replacement. It mostly sits docked typing emails and reports. An old 486 would probably do me just as well. I does have 1G of ram, if that makes any difference.

If you have a speed test site, I'll run it and let you know.

yustr

whodat

what about that panasonic tough book?

i dont ever see it advertised, but it looks interesting

ebackhus

I saw an online ad for one. It was dropped from about 3 feet onto cement, striking at the corner near the LCD panel/body hinge. I don't know if it was modified, but there wasn't even a flicker on the screen.

I hate this Dell keyboard! The keys are already worn after just 2 years of use.

Fitzi

I have had several laptops in the past few years. I have had an HP back in 2000, but after a year the power supply connector broke off the motherboard. I will probably never get an HP again because of their support. My warranty a ran out so they charged me $50 an hour on the phone. When I finally got a tech guy his English was so bad I couldn't even understand him. I have a Toshiba now and it has been pretty good to me. The support is pretty decent also. I will never buy a dell as all I hear about them is that they are the cheapest crappiest PCs around. I have had an IBM Thinkpad for several years and it has been better to me than any other. It is a solid as can be. So I would recommend an IBM Thinkpad.

Mike

ebackhus

The used ThinkPad I mentioned can be bought at Tigerdirect.com. I don't know if any are left, but it's only $398 + S&H.

originale

Thank you everyone. I agree re: the Thinkpad. A workhorse-but pricey.

I bought another HP- and I had the same AC problem after 3 yrs of a lot of use. The adaptor plug is shorting out-real pain and pricey to fix. I bought another HP because my computer supply guy likes it. He is a gem and always does all my repairs and service -free of charge- so I never have to deal with HP help. This is the key is to get a person who will support you- and forget about the support lines.

I have to buy a new printer now, though, because my printer doesn't doesn't plug into a USP- it's an HP 722C and is still running well- but cabling isn't compatible. So, 3 yrs out of the other HP- I hear that's not bad for a comptuer that is on 12-14 hrs a day- every day. Gets lots of use. Just not nuts about this widescreen though. Not sure what hte point is=other than to help you with movies. And how many buy a laptop just to watch movies?? Maybe more than I think?

ebackhus

Manufacturers think they know what we want. Personally I like havbing the 3:4 aspect screen for my computing work. 15" just isn't enough to enjoy a movie!

pat_rules

i am getting a laptop but waiting for the duel core models to come out

Joefireline

Duo cores are unreliable though... Aparently...

ebackhus

Turion X2 FTW.

Joefireline

I have just ordered a new laptop, Acer Aspire 5512WLMi. It is coming on Monday, it has some great features. I will post again to review the Laptop, so if anyone else wants to buy it...