Buying new laptop what to get?

MatthewBrum · 05-02-2008, 09:17 AM

I would like to buy a new laptop. It will be for business and personal use. I will not be doing gaming or anything like that. My main requirement is I do NOT like the glossy screens they have on a lot of the new stuff. I was thinking of getting a dell or IBM/Lenovo. What do you think? Also vista or XP. I want the laptop to last at least 6 years.

thanks-Matt

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Just bought one for my wife, went with a dell, make sure you check both their home/office and small business sections.

2Gb of ram will go a long way towards keeping it working well throughout it's lifespan. 1Gb might be enough for today, but it won't be enough in the coming years.

Seric · 05-02-2008, 10:28 AM

Dells are tanks. Max the RAM and run XP, since it will be supported at least until Win7 is released.

kstar · 05-02-2008, 10:30 AM

6 years!?

That's several lifetimes in computerland.

Porsche_monkey · 05-02-2008, 11:04 AM

I've posted this before, some agree some take aim and start firing, so:

We have had about 15-20 Toshiba's where I work. We have never had a failure.

Same at home, three Toshiba's zero issues.

My daughter (at University, where everyome has a laptop) says the Dell's and Sony's all had 'issues', the Toshiba's never quit.

YMMV.

stomachmonkey · 11:25 AM

double submit

stomachmonkey · 11:25 AM

For a Windows box have always been a fan of IBM/Lenovos. Have had a few Dells, have one now, not impressed.

The hardware should last 6 years. I have several laptops (different brand though) past 6 years that still function fine. Still I replace them every 1-2 years.

Sent out IT guy out to the fruit store a few weeks ago to pick me up a new iMac for my desk. Forgot to tell him no glossy screen. The screens are polarized so when I have my shades (prescription) on the screen goes black.

Just sent him to pick me up a new 17 Pro laptop yesterday, made sure he remembered, no glossy screen.

MatthewBrum · 05-02-2008, 11:20 AM

So if I get XP will it be supported for a few years? Am I wrong by thinking a laptop should last more than 3 years. I still have my Compaq Presario 1800T that works fine and I purchased it in 2001. I will take a look at the Toshiba. My wife wanted a Mac but we could not get over the 2k price for a MacPro.

Seric · 05-02-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewBrum

So if I get XP will it be supported for a few years? Am I wrong by thinking a laptop should last more than 3 years. I still have my Compaq Presario 1800T that works fine and I purchased it in 2001. I will take a look at the Toshiba. My wife wanted a Mac but we could not get over the 2k price for a MacPro.

XP is supported, but will no longer be available to buy shortly. If you load up on RAM you shouldn't have a problem with it lasting more than three years.

Mule · 05-02-2008, 11:26 AM

Support is not an issue. I have a 2000 box that runs as good as ever. It's big limitation is that it can't use WMP 9 or higher. I consider that a plus.

I'm ready to duck as I say this, now that I have my Vista box tuned up, I like it. Great graphics. It took me a while to get comfortable but everything is fine now.

stomachmonkey · 05-02-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewBrum

So if I get XP will it be supported for a few years? Am I wrong by thinking a laptop should last more than 3 years. I still have my Compaq Presario 1800T that works fine and I purchased it in 2001. I will take a look at the Toshiba. My wife wanted a Mac but we could not get over the 2k price for a MacPro.

How long it lasts depends on how hard you use it.

Treat it right and it should last a good time.

May have the odd hard drive failure here and there but that' something that can happen with any brand.

My pref is the MacPro but if you are doing general business stuff, word, excell, web surfing then buy what fits the budget. You can easily spend $2k or more on any brand laptop.

One of the reasons that I replace before they go belly up is the software suites I use. They get exponentially more RAM and processor taxing with each new rev so eventually I need to upgrade the hardware because of the software demands.

Joeaksa · 05-02-2008, 11:32 AM

Another vote for Dell. Second is IBM.

Dell still ships them with XP so get one like that and upgrade when MS debugs the OS in 2 years or so.

MatthewBrum · 05-02-2008, 11:32 AM

If I have a choice should I get Vista or XP? What will be better for the long run?

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

I'd go with XP at this point. Yes won't be sold for too much longer, but it'll have support for a long time.

Seric · 05-02-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule

Support is not an issue. I have a 2000 box that runs as good as ever. It's big limitation is that it can't use WMP 9 or higher. I consider that a plus.

I'm ready to duck as I say this, now that I have my Vista box tuned up, I like it. Great graphics. It took me a while to get comfortable but everything is fine now.

Vista is great once you get all the driver quirks ironed out. For a laptop, I wouldn't even consider it though.

Now IE7 with Flash 8 or 9 is pure crap. I wish I didn't have to use it at work...

schamp · 05-02-2008, 12:26 PM

subscribed

gtc · gtc's Garage

+1 for IBM/Lenovo as well as Toshiba

MatthewBrum · 05-02-2008, 03:01 PM

Why do all the new laptops have the widescreen? I'm not sure if I like that

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

What is your budget?

Is portability the main function of the unit.

Joeaksa · 05-02-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewBrum

Why do all the new laptops have the widescreen? I'm not sure if I like that

They still sell normal screen laptops these days. I have both and after you get used to the widescreen its really nice. That said, if you are looking to save weight the normal sized units are the way to go.

I travel for a living and carry one around all the time. Have used the 17" widescreen for almost a year now and its not a big difference.