KDS Laptop

[knucklebusted]

I've never seen a KDS laptop but I use several of their monitors here. I have a 19" trinitron-based monitor and two 17" conventionals. They have 3 year, advanced replacement warranties on the monitors and while they aren't Sonys they are quite usable for the price. The 17" units are both 5 years old and they are still doing service at 1024x768x75hz.

Now, if the laptop has the same type of warranty, I'd say go for it. I've never had a lick of trouble out of any of the 3 monitors here and several friends have bought them as well. If the laptop is no frills but solid performance, it should suit the need.

Let us know how it turns out.

[deltaf508]

I have seen the KDS laptops at sam's in my area, and I must say for the price, I too was impressed. I think you should try to find some reviews if you can, but if not it seems like it would work great for someone that is not a power user. I wouldn't expect "Awesome" quality from the DVD at that price though. A few links to check out (If you haven't already) are:

Epinions.com (http://www.epinions.com)
Cnet.com (http://www.cnet.com)

I am typing this from sony laptop right now. I love Sony's Laptop setup, I'm not sure how the KDS compares to it, but when it comes time for me to by another one "I'm getting a Sony" http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Gary

[DaveLewis]

My mother in law has been looking at a KDS (Korean Data Systems?) laptop at Sam's Club. The inlaws are snowbirds and move twice a year between Eastern PA and Yuma AZ. Its a dirty job but somebody has to do it. Currently they're running an old P133 that I cobbled together for them but moving the computer, monitor, keyboard etc every 6 months or so is becoming a major hassle. Their major purpose for having a computer is to communicate with the kids and grandkids via e-mail, play solitaire and Microsoft golf, and every so often write a letter with Word. They use and love AOL on a dialup connection.


Now before everybody jumps all over me please understand that these folks are 75 years old and are not about to overclock (their hearts couldn't stand it!), get excited over broadband, or need the latest and greatest processor. So what we need is just a system so grandma can send e-mail.


The KDS system available at Sam's is an entry level laptop with an 8X DVD, 13.3" TFT screen, 800 mhz Intel processor (probably a Celeron although the specs don't say), 128 MB od ram and a 10 gig hard drive. The specs don't sound too bad and it has similar entry level machines by Dell, Compaq, IBM etc beat by at least a hundred bucks. They're asking $1000 for the machine.


I ran a search on the net and couldn't find any reviews or info - yea or nay - on the machine. I saw some KDS monitors reviewed and people weren't too impressed.


My main concern is reliablitiy. Does anybody know anything about this brand or have any experience with these systems?


Thanks

[This message has been edited by DaveLewis (edited 08-04-2001).]

[Richard_Cranium72]

The lappys with the best rep seem to be Toshiba and Dell

We use strictly Dell at my Company and have in excess of 10,000 employees.
The major problem we see with the Dell's is their extremely bad habit of "Growing Legs"
They seem to just walk off http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Seriously, the KDS is a maybe at best, I'd go with Dell, or Toshiba

Dell seems to have more options and you can get into one for less than a grand.

One user of IBM lappys told me that the latches & hinges were weak and broke often, I have an old IBM at work that we've retired and it is a very sturdy unit, like all things, quality varys..

DrVette

p.s.
If they can wait a bit, Dell offers great deals rather often

[Praetorian]

Thank god someone knows about us! I live in Yuma, AZ. Nice small town. Can you believe cable internet only became avalible for home users 3 weeks ago! Before only busnisess could get broadband and it would cost an arm and a leg. Anyway nice to hear that at least someone knows about this little town. I can see why they don't stay in Yuma during the summer. 118degress almost everyday.

btw- I finally got cable!(sorry no DSL, yet)

[paul233]

That sounds like a good deal. I like Acer laptops very much for their bang for buck, and toshibas have worked well for me too. I think if you can optimise the length of factory warranty in any of the name brands for equivelant price that could be the deciding factor.