What is/are the Toyota Camry(s) of laptops?

[lendaddy]

I spent through the nose for my last two laptops, I went for the latest and most powerful. Both of these failed with what I would consider "build quality" issues. The Toshiba had the power connection to the motherboard break (I fixed this myself several times" as well as ultimately dieing of hard drive failure. My currect XPS1530 has the common motherboard issue and it is slowly dieing a valiant death as it remains operable but only when plugged in and with "issues".

Both of these laptops died just out of warranty.

I've decided to stop paying top dollar for high end stuff since apparently build quality isn't where the extra dough goes And to be honest I don't need the latest and greatest, I'm not a gamer or a video/music guy. I surf and run specialized programs as well as standard office apps.

I just want a rock solid laptop.

Please don't try to sell me on Macs, it's not going to happen. My wife has three including a MacBook pro and they have their issues as well. There are often things that my PC does easily and without hassle that ,although it can be done on the Mac, are a pain in the ass to set up or require special adjustments, software, workarounds. It's not going to happen.

Suggestions? Or am I SOL and there is no such beast?

[71T Targa]

I've been very happy with Dell. Both at home and in the office.

[Vin-barrett]

I would say the Toyota Camry would be the ThinkPad.
I use a T61 for work and it's reliable and boring... like a Camry

[Wintermute]

Asus has been putting out some quality laptops lately. If you like IBM ThinkPad style, Lenovos are pretty rock solid.

[Teutonics]

Originally Posted by Vin-barrett

I would say the Toyota Camry would be the ThinkPad.
I use a T61 for work and it's reliable and boring... like a Camry

+1 on Lenovo ThinkPad.

If you want the best, make sure to look at the business class machines, not the consumer line.

[lendaddy]

Interesting, I guess I should clarify that I wouldn't be opposed to spending higher end money on a machine...I just want to be sure I'm getting a better product, not just more bells/whistles.

[scottmandue]

I got a laptop off tigerdirect for around $500... think it was a HP... two years and no problems.

YMMV

[VINMAN]

Panasonic Toughbook.

Mines has been through hell and back. Freakin things flawless.

[stomachmonkey]

Just cruise your weekend circular for the weeks loss leader or check bensbargains.net and dealnews.com

Agree with you do I.

Not spend a lot should you.

[scottmandue]

I just don't see why anyone would spend more that grand on a laptop. (this is why I didn't get a mac)

I sure someone will flame me with with their "need" for a super powerfully laptop.

For around $500 you can get a laptop as powerful as a high end desktop only a few years old.

YMMV

[Halm]

Don't even consider a big box store computer. 99% is dumb downed "consumer" junk. Lenovo some great stuff but I don't know their models very well. Me, and most of our clients, go with Dell. You can't go wrong with any of the Latitude 5xxx or 6xxx units. I have a new 6410 with the i7 processor and it rocks. For most users the i5 processor is just as good. Go to their Factor Outlet and save a few bucks, bit also get the Complete Care warranty. It is about $190 for 3 years. Then you are covered. No personal experience with their Volstro line, but I hear it is ok. Same with the higher end Inspirions.

[Wintermute]

I've always used Pricewatch for good deals.

[Scott R]

Thinkpad is the Camry. I lugged various Thinkpads all over the planet for years while working for IBM. We made a lot of "junk" but we did laptops very well, even after Lenovo they are still top notch.

[porsche4life]

The thinkpads and Lenovos are well built machines.

Then I'd step down to a Toshiba or a Dell


I'd go without before using an HP, and no I'm not kidding....

[Sitparan]

Go thinkpad. Dells latitudes are pretty good too. Had 2 of each over the last 6 years now and just got a new Dell.
I noticed with the Dell they seem to have issues around the 3 year mark, usually around the peripherals like hard drive or battery..
Had the titanium thinkpad till recent upgrade and had no issues apart from it looking worse for wear and the battery life noticeably decreasing after about 18 months or so

[Bill Douglas]

Ummm. I'll say nothing.

(I only buy Toshiba laptops)

[lendaddy]

Great info guys, thanks much. Lots to go over.

[drcoastline]

I have a Toshiba Satellite L675D. I guess you would consider it upper low end??? It has worked flawlessly since I bought it. That has been nearly a week now.

[Rednine11]

I can tell you some to avoid. Anything that has the combination of an AMD cpu and the Nvidia video/chipset. They have a terrible heat problem that causes the system board to fail, usually shortly after the warranty expires. The excessive heat causes the solder joints open up on the Nvidia chip. I can usually reflow them and get them running again. It probably works for 7 or 8 out of 10 machines..the others become parts or trash....

[TimT]

Panasonic Toughbook.

Werd up... yo

I have owned three Toughbooks, one was stolen out of my car, one I ran over with my F250 PSD Supercab...( I put the Toughbook on tailgate of the truck...took off for lunch and backed over it) The third is still operating...

Oh yea.. about $350 from Bob Johnsons