Notebook Suggestions

[gemikit]

I'm looking into buying a notebook pc, but I don't have a clue out of all of them which one would be the best value. So if anyone has one (and I'm sure a lot of you do), please give me suggestions.

Thanks!

[nulltone]

I like Sony's because they have a pretty neat design (look wise) and they are thin and light weight. Yes, they are overpriced. Yes, some are a POS. But if you have a Sony Digital Camera, or need a laptop with Firewire, Sony's are pretty nice.

[simon]

The coolest Laptops

Ok... Sony's are pretty cool. I used nulltones for a little bit and I liked it. It was small, light-weight, fast etc... Keys felt pretty nice and had a really nice tft display....

But after using a friends IBM X series ThinkPad I don't think I could ever reccomend another machine. The keyboard is the best I have found and used hands down. Granted this is only a 500mhz machine, it still rocks and if you need to use win2k its works fine.

At first I didn't like the idea of a "scroll point"... The little red dot for a mouse in the middle of the G, H and B keys. Now I love it. It is so much more efficient.

The downsides are: some if not all have WinModems built in. There for you cannot use the built in modem with another OS than windows. (WinModems if we remember are software based and use win api's). And new they can be a little expensive. But if you have the cash to kick down for a Sony get a IBM instead.

Oh, they also have a great warranty program... That you can redeem pretty much world wide.

Simon

[nulltone]

I would listen to simon. I have had problems with my Sony. You REALLY need to take care of the sony to make sure it does not fall apart. But I have totally thrased this laptop. 1 word of advice:
GET A GOOD INSURANCE POLICY!

I have a 3 Year insurance policy. If it breaks or anything, I can just go there. They are idiots, they can repair it, so if you complain enough, they will replace it with the nearest model. And if it has been a year and a half, a new model is defiently out.

[gemikit]

Good to know. Thanks guys!

[nulltone]

One more BIG tip!

Check the warrenty. 90% of laptop warrenties DONT COVER THE SCREEN. Beware!

[nulltone]

Oh yea, one more thing

If you are buying this at a store, check for bad pixles. Or burnt pixles. On the monitor, a pixle may be burnt on the screen. Check this by having the screen be all black (thought turned on). You should see a little light (blue) pixle stand out. Beware of the burnt pixle!

[gemikit]

I never would've thought about the burnt pixel thing, but it makes sense since some stores leave the thing on all day long on one certain screen.

[nulltone]

Its not just that, its actually defective from the time when its built. The monitor might have never been used until you take it out of the packaging and boot it up. So its faulty manufacturing, not overuse.

[converge]

Older models...

I haven't been able to shoot for any newer models yet, but I've actually been impressed with Compaq for older laptops. Whoa!--> hear me out first. My 266mmx Compaq is insanely easy to completely take apart and service myself. I've looked inside other laptops without as much luck. (definately avoid Gateway, even if for some strange reason you seem to find one for cheap) I haven't checked out any newer ones though.. so I guess my advise is limited to what they used to be.. Ditto on the Sony's. I do have a couple friends with Sony's and haven't echoed sentiments above...

[Golden_Eternity]

Re: The coolest Laptops

Originally posted by simon
The downsides are: some if not all have WinModems built in. There for you cannot use the built in modem with another OS than windows. (WinModems if we remember are software based and use win api's). And new they can be a little expensive. But if you have the cash to kick down for a Sony get a IBM instead.

http://www.linmodems.org/ <~~ Problem solved

[omega884]

Compaq, Sony, Apple

Well, I have been thoroughly impressed with compaq laptops. Though compaq may not have the best reputation, their laptops are very self-serviceable, and they have trackpads to boot. But I suppose that bonus depends on your "mouse" preference.

As for Sony laptops, they are a little fragile and overpriced, but in terms ove size for power they really can't be beat. And they too have trackpads :D

As a final note, depending on what you want to do with your laptop, I might also recomend purchasing an iBook from Apple. They are durable as hell, fairly lightwieght, have enough features to keep you going for a while, and they are pretty damn cheap as far as laptops go. Downsides are of course the lack of floppy drive, a mediocore video card and only a 12 inch screen, but that really isn't all that bad. Not only that, but if you don't want to run the Mac OS, you can always get OS X (ships with them and I have to say, it's one of the best *NIX implimentations I have seen) or you can get any one of a number of linux varients for the mac.

[Golden_Eternity]

Yeah, and OSX is giving Sun a run for their money on stupid root holes...

[omega884]

Root holes?

Not quite sure what you're talking about, as far as I know, there are only two major ones.

The first, the IE/BinHex problem is more virus than root problems and is fixed with a preference change (an IE preference I might add) and the second, the NetInfo one, already has a fix availible from Apple (released only 2 days after the exploit was discovered and made public)

[Golden_Eternity]

They may have better time to patch than Sun, but that doesn't make the holes any less stupid.