I need help choosing a new computer

Curious Joel · #1 09-25-2005, 01:18 PM

My laptop's hard drive died last week for the 5th time, and I've only had it about a year. Now, though, it's out of warranty and the guy at our local computer repair place said it's not worth it to replace it anymore if we have to buy a new hard drive. So, I need a new laptop. I thought I'd come here to do some research, since you all seem to know a lot about computers.
I'm looking for a laptop, mid-sized... I don't want one that's too small, and I don't like the widescreen ones. It has to have plenty of storage space for my pictures and songs. A DVD player/CD burner is needed, too. That's pretty much it. All I use the computer for is AIM, e-mail, and Internet, mainly. I don't play games anymore. Any good suggestions? I won't buy another Toshiba under any circumstances.
I wanted a Mac but my mom said she's worried I'll have issues when I go to college with compatibility. She said she'd be willing to get me a Mac as a second computer as a birthday or Christmas present, but that she wants me to have a computer with Windows as my main computer. So, what do you guys suggest?
TIA

Sponsored Links

vinuneuro · #2 09-25-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

My laptop's hard drive died last week for the 5th time, and I've only had it about a year. Now, though, it's out of warranty and the guy at our local computer repair place said it's not worth it to replace it anymore if we have to buy a new hard drive. So, I need a new laptop. I thought I'd come here to do some research, since you all seem to know a lot about computers.
I'm looking for a laptop, mid-sized... I don't want one that's too small, and I don't like the widescreen ones. It has to have plenty of storage space for my pictures and songs. A DVD player/CD burner is needed, too. That's pretty much it. All I use the computer for is AIM, e-mail, and Internet, mainly. I don't play games anymore. Any good suggestions? I won't buy another Toshiba under any circumstances.
I wanted a Mac but my mom said she's worried I'll have issues when I go to college with compatibility. She said she'd be willing to get me a Mac as a second computer as a birthday or Christmas present, but that she wants me to have a computer with Windows as my main computer. So, what do you guys suggest?
TIA

If that's all you're going to primarily use this computer for, look at Dell. Their laptops are pretty reasonably priced. If you really want a solidly built machine look at the IBM Thinkpads. I'v had mine for more than a year, and it is absolutely solidly built. I was planning on getting a Powerbook also, but decided to wait till next summer when Intel is inside them.

igosal · #3 09-25-2005, 01:41 PM

Professionally, i'll advise you to go for IBM Thinkpad T41 but considering price and support as main factors go for Dell d610.

Bavarian · #4 09-25-2005, 02:07 PM

I would personally recommend staying away from IBM ThinkPads, ahem "Lenovo ThinkPads" that is... They have an outdated design, and are overpriced for what you get.

I personally went with a Dell Latitude D610 with a 3-year Next Business Day On Site Server CompleteCare Warranty (covers damage caused by me, too). My specs are:

Pentium M @ 2.0GHZ 533MHZ FSB 2MB Cache
1024MB DDR2-533 RAM
80GB 5400RPM HD
8X DVD-RW
64MB ATI Radeon X300 Graphics
14.1" SXGA Display (1400x1050)
Intel 802.11b/g
90W Charging Adapter
Windoze XP Pro SP2

Cost me $2300 including taxes and shipping Canadian, which is around $1950 in US dollars.

I'm very happy with the machine. I'm using it to write this post. By having a metal case, it doesn't get scratched easily, and it has very little, if any flex in the chassis. Also, I personally enjoy that it doesn't have all those quirky plastics with lighting, like those HP laptops on the market today. This is a business-class notebook made to last, and it shows. I can even play games with this video card. You can run CS at max resolution easily, getting 100fps at all times. You can even play GTA Vice on this, and any other light-to-mid graphic game.

Speakers provide good sound, too, and having four USB ports is a bonus!

Forgot to add: By having a 14.1" display, this notebook is smaller than most. You'll be laughing at all those people who bought huge 17" notebooks (might as well carry my desktop PC around). I get just over 4 hours with the screen dimmed down, 2 hours and 45 minutes with 75% bright screen, and normal usage, and 1 hour and 30 minutes with screen maxed out and playing games.

LeMansX5 · #5 09-25-2005, 02:11 PM

I have had bad experience with Dell's. The hard drive either gets noisy or just fails or the fans in laptop become noisy. I have had a IBM and no problems. IBM also has fingerprint authentication and protection for failing hard drives, which other manufacturers are also starting to offer. Good luck in your search.

pepatrick · #6 09-25-2005, 02:36 PM

A failing hard drive has nothing to do with the manufacturer of the laptop. Most of the Dell laptops use the hitachi travelstar drives which was a division recently sold by IBM. Basically you are buying support. The parts for the most part are interchangeable. The T41 is discontinued so you will be getting a used or refurbished unit. Dell and IBM make the best laptops but for the money you get more value from a Dell. Look at the Inspiron 9300 or if you are looking at smaller and more portable..look at the Latitude D810 and D610.

As far as having a bad experience with Dell, most of us have had little gliches with our X5 and we continue to buy them because like the performance. The same goes for the Dell. Get a loaded up Inspiron 6000 or 9300 or Latitude D610 or D810, there are not many laptops that will out perform them...And...over all...they are still more reliable than most.

LeMansX5 · #7 09-25-2005, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepatrick

A failing hard drive has nothing to do with the manufacturer of the laptop. Most of the Dell laptops use the hitachi travelstar drives which was a division recently sold by IBM. Basically you are buying support. The parts for the most part are interchangeable. The T41 is discontinued so you will be getting a used or refurbished unit. Dell and IBM make the best laptops but for the money you get more value from a Dell. Look at the Inspiron 9300 or if you are looking at smaller and more portable..look at the Latitude D810 and D610.

As far as having a bad experience with Dell, most of us have had little gliches with our X5 and we continue to buy them because like the performance. The same goes for the Dell. Get a loaded up Inspiron 6000 or 9300 or Latitude D610 or D810, there are not many laptops that will out perform them...And...over all...they are still more reliable than most.

Agree. But if the cooling and shock protection of hard drive is not designed properly, the hard drive will fail anyway. As far as Dell support is concerned, the place I work moved away from Dell to IBM as Dell support was bad.

E53 · #8 09-25-2005, 02:55 PM

I have a Dell D400 for sale. I am asking for $600 or best offer. It is still under warranty until 2/07 with Dell Gold Tech Support.

vinuneuro · #9 09-25-2005, 03:19 PM

Most college students use dell laptops and so does my dad's company. They run hotter than anything I'v ever used. I'v burnt myself using one before. I think it has to do with the lack of engineering that went into their hd's and batteries. The other thing i'v noticed is that Dell screen hinges are pretty flimsy. Try using an IBM. I think they all now have metal hinges; after a year of rough use, the screen on my T41 has ZERO play in it.

CJ, try pricing a T42 on IBM's website. The prices have dropped significantly. You can get a well equipped one for less than 1k, and I guarantee you it will last. IBM's perform amazingly in terms of battery life and performance. Most manufacturers including Dell will get one but not the other.

Curious Joel · #10 09-25-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Most college students use dell laptops and so does my dad's company. They run hotter than anything I'v ever used. I'v burnt myself using one before. I think it has to do with the lack of engineering that went into their hd's and batteries. The other thing i'v noticed is that Dell screen hinges are pretty flimsy. Try using an IBM. I think they all now have metal hinges; after a year of rough use, the screen on my T41 has ZERO play in it.

CJ, try pricing a T42 on IBM's website. The prices have dropped significantly. You can get a well equipped one for less than 1k, and I guarantee you it will last. IBM's perform amazingly in terms of battery life and performance. Most manufacturers including Dell will get one but not the other.

I used to have a Dell laptop before my Toshiba and it was terrible... Maybe Dell has improved since then, though.. We have a Dell desktop and it keeps on going and going and going. I'll look into the IBMs... Thanks, guys!

Sponsored Links