Need advice on laptops

Phester · #1 11-02-2005, 12:46 PM

Well, it has been fun, but my Powerbook has finally met its limits. I need a computer to work with all the business programs I need to work at home. The Apple, although my first preference, doesn’t even come close to running the programs I need. So I need to get a PC laptop.

My first problem is that the Mac is extremely streamlined and the quality is amazing – I have yet to see anything that comes close in PC form – from the slot drive CD drive, to the overall packaging and quality of materials.

It is easy to choose a mac, as there is nothing that compares, but now I have to choose a PC and I have NO clue as to what I should get. The problem is that you can configure all these different laptops with all the same specs. I have built for a Windows XP professional with 100 gig HD, 1gig RAM, DVD burner, internal wireless & Bluetooth. I need it for business, so a “media center” is not important, but I still want it to run all the necessary fun stuff.

My Powerbook is a 12inch and I take it to work and home each day – it is my primary computer. I need something as portable.

It seems like the only way to get good input is from those of you with laptops you like.

I have been looking at two primarily – the Dell XPS M140 – small and good customization… and the Toshiba Satellite, not the 17inch model. Both, customized to the same specs are about 2K – I don’t want to go above that in price…..

Thoughts????

E61Silver · #2 11-02-2005, 12:51 PM

Based on my own expirence of veiws the IBM T43 is the wat to go!

Just be sure to get the upgrade display.

Just purchase one this fall for under $2000 (no DVD burner)

Thunder22 · #3 11-02-2005, 12:56 PM

I second the recommendation to get an IBM/Lenovo T series laptop.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get a Dell laptop. Their quality/reliability is horrible. The corporate standard here at work is Dell desktops and IBM laptops, and I have no intention of changing it until Dell fixes their laptop quality issues.

I have a T41 and T43, both are great laptops, solid and reliable, you'll be hoping for it to finally give out in about 3-4 years so taht you have an excuse to get a new one

Phester · #4 11-02-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gresch

I second the recommendation to get an IBM/Lenovo T series laptop.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get a Dell laptop. Their quality/reliability is horrible. The corporate standard here at work is Dell desktops and IBM laptops, and I have no intention of changing it until Dell fixes their laptop quality issues.

I have a T41 and T43, both are great laptops, solid and reliable, you'll be hoping for it to finally give out in about 3-4 years so taht you have an excuse to get a new one

I heard that these new XPS laptops are exceptional compared to the old Dells - I will look at the IBM now...

Thunder22 · #5 11-02-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phester

I heard that these new XPS laptops are exceptional compared to the old Dells - I will look at the IBM now...

We take another look at Dell laptops about every 6 months, there was nothing in their new models that we liked that would make us switch off of IBM/Lenovo.

statdoc · #6 11-02-2005, 02:00 PM

I don't have a long history of multiple Dell laptop purchases, but I will say that the one I have, and the ones my friends have had, have been great.

Kewl X5 · #7 11-02-2005, 02:25 PM

If you want a streamlined PC Laptop and it is an ultra-portable and has an optical drive, check Sony's new TX-series....it weights 2.76lbs (uses carbon fiber), 11.1" screen, keyboard is a bit small, but it also has built-in wi-fi and Cingular EDGE wireless network, & dual-layer DVD-burner and battery lasting about 6-7 hours. I was really thinking of getting a 12" Powerbook, but the Apple laptops are getting quite heavy.

Also, PC Magazine gave the new TX-670 an editor's choice http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1860090,00.asp

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phester

Well, it has been fun, but my Powerbook has finally met its limits. I need a computer to work with all the business programs I need to work at home. The Apple, although my first preference, doesn’t even come close to running the programs I need. So I need to get a PC laptop.

My first problem is that the Mac is extremely streamlined and the quality is amazing – I have yet to see anything that comes close in PC form – from the slot drive CD drive, to the overall packaging and quality of materials.

It is easy to choose a mac, as there is nothing that compares, but now I have to choose a PC and I have NO clue as to what I should get. The problem is that you can configure all these different laptops with all the same specs. I have built for a Windows XP professional with 100 gig HD, 1gig RAM, DVD burner, internal wireless & Bluetooth. I need it for business, so a “media center” is not important, but I still want it to run all the necessary fun stuff.

My Powerbook is a 12inch and I take it to work and home each day – it is my primary computer. I need something as portable.

It seems like the only way to get good input is from those of you with laptops you like.

I have been looking at two primarily – the Dell XPS M140 – small and good customization… and the Toshiba Satellite, not the 17inch model. Both, customized to the same specs are about 2K – I don’t want to go above that in price…..

Thoughts????

Phester · #8 11-02-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

If you want a streamlined PC Laptop and it is an ultra-portable and has an optical drive, check Sony's new TX-series....it weights 2.76lbs (uses carbon fiber), 11.1" screen, keyboard is a bit small, but it also has built-in wi-fi and Cingular EDGE wireless network, & dual-layer DVD-burner and battery lasting about 6-7 hours. I was really thinking of getting a 12" Powerbook, but the Apple laptops are getting quite heavy.

Also, PC Magazine gave the new TX-670 an editor's choice http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1860090,00.asp

Good luck.

This does look great, but I think I want at least a 14inch widescreen. It did not look like the IBMs were widescreen (which I have grown to rely on with my work desktop).

Thunder22 · #9 11-02-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phester

This does look great, but I think I want at least a 14inch widescreen. It did not look like the IBMs were widescreen (which I have grown to rely on with my work desktop).

my T43 has a 15" screen, how big do you want? even the value based T43's have 14.1" screens.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...goryId=2072541

vinuneuro · #10 11-02-2005, 02:53 PM

Dell laptop quality has never been good, I can't see that changing anytime soon. I have an IBM T41 and has been rock solid. I have seen various people have various problems with the vaio's as well. One friend went through 4 units on his warranty (he didnt abuse them).
As far as I'm concerned anything over 14"-15' beats the purpose of having a laptop, the portability goes down significantly past that. The IBMs are a good size in every dimension: just big enough to be quite comfortable, still small enough to easily take them whereever you go.
I'v used the 12" Powerbook before and thought it was outstanding. It's not that heavy and the quality is outstanding. I was gonna get one in Sep, but am holding out till they come with the new Intel processors.