which laptop?
Posted by: Goose on 04 January 2005
Want fast laptop, poss Centrino, 15" screen, excellent resolution, ability for projectors, slim, reliable, 1280 x 1024. Memory galore for data intensive app
DELL?
Acer,
HP
SOny - err no on hifi principle!
CHeers
Goose
DELL?
Acer,
HP
SOny - err no on hifi principle!
CHeers
Goose
Posted on: 04 January 2005 by HTK
Depends on usage and how long you plan to keep it. In my work I've thrashed them all and trashed most of them. For the most part only Think Pads have been up to it. And they have decent keyboards.
FWIW
Cheers
Harry
(On some planets I would be considered normal)
FWIW
Cheers
Harry
(On some planets I would be considered normal)
Posted on: 04 January 2005 by Paul Hutchings
Without getting into models, I'd suggest IBM or Toshiba or Dell.
Things like build quality and thrashability will differ (I think IBM would win there?) but in three years when you want a battery or need a part you'll still be able to phone the manufacturer and know what you need will most like still be available.
cheers,
Paul
Things like build quality and thrashability will differ (I think IBM would win there?) but in three years when you want a battery or need a part you'll still be able to phone the manufacturer and know what you need will most like still be available.
cheers,
Paul
Posted on: 04 January 2005 by Steve G
I'm using a Dell 8200 with the best screen option they do and I've been very happy with it so far.
Posted on: 04 January 2005 by Roy T
The Toughbook Range looks like the one to get if you like thrashing your kit.
I bet it would look good in the latest SUV
I bet it would look good in the latest SUV
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Harvey
Our IT has moved over completely to thinkpads and I haven't heard a bad word from anyone. They are fast, light, quiet and cool even under heavy use, otugh as boots and easily the best laptop keyboard I've ever used. Also sexy in an uderstated way IMO. Get a T41 or T42.
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Goose
Thanks alot guys, may go for Dell or Toshiba..
Cheers
Goose
Cheers
Goose
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Paul Ranson
I think the 'Chinese company' is probably the one currently manufacturing ThinkPads.
Paul
Paul
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Harvey
According to one of our IT guys, the Chinese deal will have no medium term impact on the prchase of a thinkpad today, as IBM are still to run the warranty and support. he hasn't heard about any imminent halt to manufacture in Scotland so you'd be buying a domestic product but doesn't matter as the Chinese manufactuere has been knocking out thinkpads for the asian and NA market for a few years now with no qc issues.
IT switched to IBM from Dell before I arrived and my guy says not to touch the Dell with a pole as the quality is rarely a hit and frewuently a miss and they had nothing but problems. So looks like a nice Toshiba goose.
IT switched to IBM from Dell before I arrived and my guy says not to touch the Dell with a pole as the quality is rarely a hit and frewuently a miss and they had nothing but problems. So looks like a nice Toshiba goose.
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Paul Ranson
I recently bought a UK spec ThinkPad T42 and it was made in China (and only a week or so earlier!). IBM don't seem to be big on the larger pixel count screen at the reasonable price point, this one has a 15inch 1024x768 for example. But the quality seems pretty high.
Laptops are difficult to choose on specs alone, even before you get into 'feel'. I worked out I wanted something actually portable, with wireless g, Ethernet, Centrino (for the wireless and the good power management), at least 512MB, separate graphics accelerator, on board DVD/CD reader, probably some other stuff, I didn't care what CPU speed, I didn't want to spend more than about £1200+VAT. There are some plausible Sony VAIO with 1280x800 wide screens that were attractive, but not actually in stock anywhere at a good price. Toshiba seem to have lost their way with the Tecra at the moment. My last Tecra is still usable for Internet and WP type stuff and is now nearly 5, I needed something faster for development and I expect a similar lifetime. The ThinkPad seemed to fit and so far I'm happy. It's now a month or so 'old' and hasn't been rebooted since day one...
When I bought the old Tecra it had a three year warranty, this now seems rare, current Tecras are a year (IIRC). IBM are an exception. I think this matters at least a little.
Paul
Laptops are difficult to choose on specs alone, even before you get into 'feel'. I worked out I wanted something actually portable, with wireless g, Ethernet, Centrino (for the wireless and the good power management), at least 512MB, separate graphics accelerator, on board DVD/CD reader, probably some other stuff, I didn't care what CPU speed, I didn't want to spend more than about £1200+VAT. There are some plausible Sony VAIO with 1280x800 wide screens that were attractive, but not actually in stock anywhere at a good price. Toshiba seem to have lost their way with the Tecra at the moment. My last Tecra is still usable for Internet and WP type stuff and is now nearly 5, I needed something faster for development and I expect a similar lifetime. The ThinkPad seemed to fit and so far I'm happy. It's now a month or so 'old' and hasn't been rebooted since day one...
When I bought the old Tecra it had a three year warranty, this now seems rare, current Tecras are a year (IIRC). IBM are an exception. I think this matters at least a little.
Paul
Posted on: 05 January 2005 by Phil Barry
I've had experience with Dell, Compaq, Toshiba Satellite.
Dell support is criminal. The warranties have lots of fine print. The 'overnight' response has averaged 4 days from first report of a problem to actual delivery of a replacement part. And that doesn't necessarily mean 'correct replacement part' - they owed us a DVD reader/CD writer, but at first sent a CD reader...which arrived 10 days after first call.
Toshiba support in the US is from 'UPS Logistics' - That's the delivery folks, folks. They were not very competent - my laptop came apart a few weeks after I received it, since ALL the little screws came loose. And that was after keeping my laptop for over 3 weeks. The work was done under a warranty calling for 24-hour turnaround. The delay was due to the fact that the assholes ordered a motherboard...waited...then ordered a 2nd m'board...and waited...then rdered a new battery...and waited. The 2 problems )mobo + battery) were reported simultaneously. Since the laptop needed a new mobo, I understand that it took more than 24 hours - but using a bad mobo in the first attempt was incredible - and inexcusable.
Im 6 years of using CPQs, I never got more than 18 months out of a Compaq without needing major repairs.
IBM security and data recovery features are the best in the business. I've worked with 3-5 year old Sony Vaios that are still in great shape.
For lowest cost of ownership, it's IBM and Sony.
Regards.
Phil
Computer & Network Experts, Inc.
Skokie, IL, USA
Dell support is criminal. The warranties have lots of fine print. The 'overnight' response has averaged 4 days from first report of a problem to actual delivery of a replacement part. And that doesn't necessarily mean 'correct replacement part' - they owed us a DVD reader/CD writer, but at first sent a CD reader...which arrived 10 days after first call.
Toshiba support in the US is from 'UPS Logistics' - That's the delivery folks, folks. They were not very competent - my laptop came apart a few weeks after I received it, since ALL the little screws came loose. And that was after keeping my laptop for over 3 weeks. The work was done under a warranty calling for 24-hour turnaround. The delay was due to the fact that the assholes ordered a motherboard...waited...then ordered a 2nd m'board...and waited...then rdered a new battery...and waited. The 2 problems )mobo + battery) were reported simultaneously. Since the laptop needed a new mobo, I understand that it took more than 24 hours - but using a bad mobo in the first attempt was incredible - and inexcusable.
Im 6 years of using CPQs, I never got more than 18 months out of a Compaq without needing major repairs.
IBM security and data recovery features are the best in the business. I've worked with 3-5 year old Sony Vaios that are still in great shape.
For lowest cost of ownership, it's IBM and Sony.
Regards.
Phil
Computer & Network Experts, Inc.
Skokie, IL, USA
Posted on: 09 January 2005 by David Robert Bell
Goose,
I've currently have a toshiba tecra S1 and its very reliable. The toshiba can go into a seperate docking station which has DVI out. This is the current ultimate connection.
My wife has an ASUS A25H which is also excellent. ASUS are a top maker of motherboards and cards and this notebook has S-video out which is obviously better than composite.
Buy from a specialist and they will advise you better than a "supermarket". My dealer has never sold me a dud and has gone to great lengths to sell me the benefits of a good case. The cheaper ones are crappy and can't handle the bumps.
Dave
The boy who dies with the most toys wins
I've currently have a toshiba tecra S1 and its very reliable. The toshiba can go into a seperate docking station which has DVI out. This is the current ultimate connection.
My wife has an ASUS A25H which is also excellent. ASUS are a top maker of motherboards and cards and this notebook has S-video out which is obviously better than composite.
Buy from a specialist and they will advise you better than a "supermarket". My dealer has never sold me a dud and has gone to great lengths to sell me the benefits of a good case. The cheaper ones are crappy and can't handle the bumps.
Dave
The boy who dies with the most toys wins