Laptop/notebook users, your opinion please.

[desmocat]

Hey everyone, I am looking into getting a laptop for myself in the near future,and wanted some opinions on a few brands. I would like to stay at/around $1500-$1800.

I think I have narrowed my choices down to about 3 makes, Sony Viao, Gateway, and HP.

I will be using in a business app most of the time, usually to run network analysis software,etc and some word processing stuff every now and then.
If you have had any good/bad experiences with the above or could suggest something else, I'm all ears.

I won't be needing a DVD drive or any fancy graphics adapter, so that might save me a few $$$. I have been to a bunch of sites that compare multitudes of brands,but wanted some real world feedback to help me make my final call. Thanks in advance for your opinions/advice. Mp

[brandon184]

GO WITH DELL.

I reccomend them all the way.

You can get a Dell Inspiron 3800 with the following specs for $1827.00

- 600Mhz Celeron Processor
- 14.1" TFT XGA Display
- 64MB SDRAM
- 5GB HDD
- 4 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- 24x Max. CD-Rom Drive
- Modular Floppy Drive
- Internal V.90 56K modem
- 3Com 10/100 Fast Ethernet Card
- 1 Year Warranty (3 yrs for $120)
- Windows 98 SE or Windows Millenium
- Norton Antivirus 2000
- MS Works Suite 2000 with MS Money 2000
- Deluxe Nylon Carrying Case (exceptionally sturdy)

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

- Brandon

[jl123]

Take a look at the Toshiba notebooks.

Here's a link to a discussion about good laptop brands.

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006778.html

Hope this helps http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

~Joel

[Warthog]

hehe...that's my thread http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif.

BTW, the Toshiba has worked flawlessly since I got it back then.

Warthog

[brandon184]

Also.. If you do decide to go with Dell... Get an Inspiron - not a Latitude. Not that Inspiron is better than the Latitude. It just better fits your situation.

- Brandon

[jl123]

Glad you like your Toshiba Warthog. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

You have to admit that in that thread there is a lot of good info. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Stuff a laptop buyer needs to know. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel

[brandon184]

A brand I do not reccomend you go with is Compaq. Anyone I know who has/has had them says they are problematic.

- Brandon

[Warthog]

ughhhh...Brandon's right. DON'T get Compcrap

Warthog

[jeana]

The Sony Vaio is superlight but you end up having to attach so much junk to it (for floppy, cdrom, etc) it ends up almost as heavy as a regular laptop and you get a mess of cables and dangling peripherals. Also, men I know have complained that the keys/controls are a little small for their fingers, so they end up attaching a regular-sized keyboard. My sister and husband are very happy with their Gateways, although I've heard several times from others that Gateway service is inferior to Dell. I personally have an ancient Toshiba that won't quit.

-Jeana

[brandon184]

For weight/size, my Inspiron is about an inch high.. IMO, its fairly light. You don't have to be a bodybuilder to lift it. It wouldn't be an issue, if your carrying it in its carrying case though.

- Brandon

[desmocat]

Thanks for the tips and info,and the links to the other threads. I have a niece that works for Dell in Austin that could maybe get her discount if I bought it through her.

I have heard that Toshiba's products are rock solid,but the thing I have against them is they have the little "eraser head" pointing device in the keyboard, and I really like having a touchpad for a pointing device.

Thanks again for the advice, I'm off to work now http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif ,have a good holiday if you are off and be safe. Mp

[yaroa]

Toshiba Satellite, I've had this baby for three years, using it in a harsh factory floor enviroment, grease and dust flying all over. No problems whatsoever.

[Donkey]

I've heard a lot of bad things about Dell laptops and notebooks form people on this BB even though the previous posts don't seem to show this. Yes they make good desktops but i don't think that translates into laptops.
My choice would be a sony viao. If you can afford it that is. it depends on what you want to use it for. The sony viao doesn't necessarily have to have floppy and cd/dvd external there are some models with it all built in. They are just slightly heavier and bigger. The ultra small ones are great for when you are on the move, not to mention they look about 10 steps ahead of the average laptop.

[[hd580]]

I was the one bashing Dell's laptops earlier; see the link above in the 3rd post. To sum it up Desmocat: Get a 3 year warranty, w/ whatever brand you pick.

For a desktop it's not important, we can usually fix it ourselves. For a laptop, well, I haven't met anyone who's fixed a TFT yet.

Dell offered to.
For $750.
I said,
Yeah right.

Brandon#:
GO WITH DELL.
I [recommend] them all the way.

Glad to hear yours is working well for you. How long have you had yours?

[Dputiger]

I'm going to throw in for Toshiba. I recommend you just attach a regular mouse if you can't stand their pointing device.

Also, though they are expensive, I've heard good things about Thinkpads. My father's been issued three so far at work over the last fifteen years or so and liked every one.

I've seen a lot of problems with Dell and Gateway tends to be pricey--and yes, stay away from Compaq 100%.

[Warthog]

Yeah, get an Intellimouse USB if you don't like their mouse. You can unplug it while it's running.

Warthog

[brandon184]

[hd580],

I've been using Dell notebooks for a while now.. Nearly 5 years I believe.

I've only had one (small) problem with *one* Dell laptop I've owned. Also, it seems that Dell has really improved on their line of notebook computers.

Dell now offers 3 yr warranties for $120 - NOT $750.

- Brandon

[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 09-04-2000).]