Who will be the future kings of the computer makers?

[recycled sixtie]

Fortunately I have my HP Pavilion on an extended warranty for 2 years at a cost of $100.
It has several problems after 1.5 years of use. I call HP(Pickup and Return care pack for 2 years). The number I have found with a recorded message says " due to technical difficulties this phone line is experiencing issues". Or words to that effect.

I have noticed in the last few years that Toshiba, Sony,IBM have dropped out of the laptop market. Well I like value and tend to go to IBM compatible as opposed to Apple with the latter being too pricey. I see Asus, Acer and a lot of HP laptops out there but don't want to risk HP again.

Any advice which non Apple laptop product to get? HP printer works fine. I might have to resort to Apple if I have to. I am on the comp. about 2-4 hours a day. I need something that lasts. I know many of you are going to say Apple but I will listen to you anyway...

[GH85Carrera]

Do you really NEED a laptop? Will a desktop work? It is easy to replace off the shelf cheap parts in a desktop. If you really need a laptop, I have no advise.

[MRM]

You're asking two questions - the future of personal computer retailing and who currently makes good PCs and laptops.

As to the first question, IBM has been out of the personal computer manufacturing business since 2005 when it sold its laptop unit to Lenovo. Retail personal computers and laptops are really a commodity product these days with little to differentiate the brands and low margins. The action has moved to tablets and the cloud. The future of personal computers and laptops hasn't been written yet, but it will probably come in the form of tablets linked to the cloud, manufactured Google, Microsoft, and Apple.

As to the second question of who makes a robust laptop with good value for the money, I very much like Lenovo. Remember that there are consumer grade laptops and professional grade. Lenovo (unless you go out of your way to buy a consumer grade machine) sells professional grade machines. Professional machines have better internals and are far more robust. Lenovo used to advertise something like their laptops being able to survive an entire can of pop spilled on the keyboard. The T450s is a real workhorse and should last for years. You can find them at good prices if you search the Lenovo outlet long enough and jump on it fast enough. Don't settle for the T540, T440, or the non-s version of the T450. Get their flagship and be done with it.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

.....Well I like value...

I define value as the use I get for the cost.

A $300 computer that lasts you a year is less of a value than a $500 computer that lasts 2 years which is less of a value than a $1,000 computer that lasts 5 years.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I define value as the use I get for the cost.

A $300 computer that lasts you a year is less of a value than a $500 computer that lasts 2 years which is less of a value than a $1,000 computer that lasts 5 years.

To counter this, why would I want to spend $1000 on a computer that will last 5 years, but will be "obsolete" in 6 months? For my own personal use, I've purchased 2 laptops in the past 11 years. One was an Alienware (right before Dell bought them) for around $1700 that was a gaming machine. It still works, for the most part. The other is either an HP or Compaq, I'm really not sure off the top of my head. Something kinda crapped out on my Alienware while I was writing a paper a few years back, so I ran to Walmart, grabbed a cheap laptop (sub-$300) and it hasn't had so much as a hiccup since I bought it. Been at least 3 years now.

From my experience, most people who have problems with their computers, it's from their own misuse (visiting questionable sites, poor physical care, downloading things they probable shouldn't, not protecting themselves from intrusion, etc.). Before I got into laptops, I never had issue with any of the desktops I've owned, either; most of which I built myself. Only ever built/bought new ones due to obsolescence/performace issues.

So, I personally feel no need to spend $1000+ on a laptop that has the same internal workings as the sub-$300 Walmart special that will last just as long if taken care of properly.

[LakeCleElum]

Acer laptop - I bought this one new at a Black Friday sale in about 2008 or 2009(Win7, 300 GB HD). Paid $399.....Use it all day, everyday.

Used it so much I had to replace the keyboard after I wore all the markings off.......Like it so well, I bought a lightly used one on Ebay for $104 just in case this one quits.....

I also have 2 Acer Aspire One (10 inch netbook) for travel. They rarely get used as seem to be replaced by my tablets.......

[VincentVega]

I've had great results with the $250-400 Acer or Asus, each works fine and 2-3 yrs of steady use. Office suite and a web browser all I use them for.

[flipper35]

We have a ton of HP ProBooks here at work. They do pretty well considering we have staff that can and do break anything and everything. These run between $500 and $700 and last about three years before getting sent as a spare or to the computer lab.

[jyl]

Lenovo has the best quality PC laptops. Apple has the best quality laptops.

Buy as much RAM and storage as you'll ever need. Increasingly these are non-upgradable.

I've had lots of Dells and HPs from work. They all started failing after 2-3 years. We used to get IBM (now Lenovo) Thinkpads. They never failed me, and I was really sad when the budget weenies switched to HP.

My personal machines are all Macs now, before they were all IBMs. Some friends have new Lenovos and they seem excellent, like the old Thinkpads.

You can run Windows on a Mac.

Note that IBM is moving to Macs. http://www.computerworld.com/article/2998315/apple-mac/every-mac-we-buy-is-making-and-saving-ibm-money-ibm.html

[aigel]

I had a poorly built Lenovo through work before - cracking case or whatever the main body is called. Not sure if it was their flagship or not. At home I have had low budget Dells and HPs and have to say the Dells win. Their batteries don't last, but they can be replaced cheaply. HP falls apart on the keyboard and plastic and I had my last one die due to motherboard failure.

For me, laptops are still the thing to get to use around the house. I have zero use for a tablet. They need to be held and you can't type **** on them. They are only for consuming - not interacting or even doing a half way decent text search.

I have no personal laptop currently. I should really buy one. This Lenovo talk has me thinking. I wouldn't mind something a little bigger than my work laptop (Dell Latitude) and a little better than my now broken HP pavilion.

G

[dad911]

Another vote for Dell here. Last 3 have been Dell, purchased from dell factory outlet( http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/22/campaigns/dell_outlet_hot_deals_dfh?dgc=IR&cid=283219&lid=5442098&~ck=mn ). Look for deals on http://slickdeals.net/

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by gacook

To counter this, why would I want to spend $1000 on a computer that will last 5 years, but will be "obsolete" in 6 months?....

Not sure what you are buying that is obsolete in 6 months.

Something shinier coming out does not make your current PC run any different than it did yesterday.

The average user is not coming close to pushing a modern PC to even half of it's potential.

[1990C4S]

We use Dell exclusively where I work. They are solid. Not cheap, but they are very reliable once you upgrade to a solid state drive.

[LakeCleElum]

Guy: Many of these on Ebay and Amazon:

Acer Aspire 15 6" Laptop Windows 8 Intel Dual Core CPU 4GB RAM 500GB Hard Drive | eBay

Spend a little more for 1 TB drive if you need it. Upgrade to Win 10 and off you go.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Not sure what you are buying that is obsolete in 6 months.

Something shinier coming out does not make your current PC run any different than it did yesterday.

The average user is not coming close to pushing a modern PC to even half of it's potential.

Hence the quotations around obsolete...In the IT world (which I believe you are a part of?), something bigger and better is always just around the corner. If I spend a grand on a device, I can't really justify to myself upgrading to the new "toy;" however, if I spend a couple hundred and something really catches my eye, it's not that much of a loss (especially after dumping the old device on Craigslist or giving it to one of my kids).

[wayner]

You don't by Apple and pay so much because the hardware is so much better, you pay it because the integration is so good and the lack of problems to deal with

I fear in jobs absence that will change

[bobrestore]

Dell is best ... Desk top computers have become "advertisement conduits" . If you want to simply use the machine, the engineering is not going to ease of use. For instance compose an email and attach pictures is not as direct as it could be. They want to take you to a browser. Computing power and ability is performed by the host computer you are connecting to. So .... for best experience with your machine you want a solid state drive to accommodate what is being piped to you.......... bob

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by bobrestore

Dell is best ... Desk top computers have become "advertisement conduits" . If you want to simply use the machine, the engineering is not going to ease of use. For instance compose an email and attach pictures is not as direct as it could be. They want to take you to a browser. Computing power and ability is performed by the host computer you are connecting to. So .... for best experience with your machine you want a solid state drive to accommodate what is being piped to you.......... bob

Can we get a translator over here?

[bobrestore]

I'm saying the "desk top computer" should be called a "desk top rendering machine"...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by bobrestore

Dell is best ... Desk top computers have become "advertisement conduits" . If you want to simply use the machine, the engineering is not going to ease of use. For instance compose an email and attach pictures is not as direct as it could be. They want to take you to a browser. Computing power and ability is performed by the host computer you are connecting to. So .... for best experience with your machine you want a solid state drive to accommodate what is being piped to you.......... bob

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Do you?