Yet another laptop search thread

[Jeff_Green]

Yes, this is another thread seeking advice on a laptop.

When I bought my Dell Inspiron 17" laptop, I spent the money on it so that I could use it to edit photos. After buying it AND a desktop I quickly came to the realization that I need to leave my editing to the desktop.

Well, my Dell laptop sucks and I spent way too much money for this crappy machine! I need a new one, as this laptop just keeps getting BSOD's (has since I got it), my keyboard won't set back correctly, it's a dell...

I am not looking for another 17" laptop... don't need it. I'm not looking for a fancy, high performance laptop as I don't plan on running photoshop on it.

That rules out Mac, IMO. I'd rather not pay $900 for a basic laptop to view pictures, run Office, and other basic programs.

Any suggestions? I know a number have been in the laptop hunt.

Thanks!

[Jake]

I'm assuming you want more than a netbook? Whats your budget?

[dlanter]

I'm sure there will be others that disagree, but check out Toshiba. I just got my 3rd one, upgrading from one that I used with 0 problems for 4 years. Prices are very reasonable and if you go to the Toshiba site you can customize with whatever you need.

[Rson]

Love Sony's for editing, they have a great Matte screen. Reformat and reload Win7 fresh without the sony add in software and you have a pretty good machine.

Sony VAIO VPCF11PFX/H Notebook PC - Intel Core i7 720QM 1.60GHz, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, 16.4" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Gray at TigerDirect.com

[ngc_bob]

Like photography, ask a computer related question, get as many different answers as posts. I work in the computer related industry. Over the years, I have come to some personal conclusions.

Dell, Acer, Gateway are all boat anchors. Lenova is the laptop side of IBM (different company bought the laptop rights from IBM).

Computers that I have used and sware by:
Toshiba -- have owned 5 and never had a problem with any. Price is good.
HP -- Used to be my only choice until I bought my first Toshiba. Good computers.
Sony -- bought my first one a couple of months ago. Great computers (part of the cost is the name of course).

Take a look at this one at newegg. Price is currently $599 (If memory serves me correctly).
TOSHIBA Satellite L505-GS5035 NoteBook Intel Core i3 330M(2.13GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi

Hope this helps.

[Rson]

So was I dead on bob in my reco of the sony? Big fan of them (minus the trial-ware)

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

I'm assuming you want more than a netbook? Whats your budget?

Jake, I don't have a set price right now. It will be less than what I was looking at because my truck just got four new tires... much more expensive than a car!

Since it won't be a real work computer I'd probably be looking at around $5-600.

[toverman]

I agree you probably don't need a Mac, but consider this:

My $999 MacBook from 2006 still works nearly like it did when brand-new. My 2002-model iMac is still going strong (but not perfect, as I'd have to upgrade the OS to let it run some of the newer stuff). Spend a little bit more up front, and taken care of, have a machine that outlasts many (not all) of the Windows machines. We're also using two older (pre-Intel chip) MacBook Pros that work nearly flawlessly. Am I a Fanboy? You bet, because in my experience Apples aren't perfect but they'll do until something perfect comes along.

[zebulus]

What's wrong with Dell? I use dells and I like them. Just my opinion though.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by zebulus

What's wrong with Dell? I use dells and I like them. Just my opinion though.

I bought two Dells. One laptop and one desktop. Both were problems from day one. The desktop I could deal with because I can work on it without sending it back, but it had problems. The laptop was horrible. BSOD all the time. Shutdown whenever it wanted, start up whenever it wanted. No one could fix the problems after tech support call, time and time again. Sent it in and it would never get fixed. Sent me a new one... same issues (and it wasn't operator error). Never could fix it. Never would take care of it. They didn't stand behind their product so I won't support theirs.

[ngc_bob]

Originally Posted by Rson

So was I dead on bob in my reco of the sony? Big fan of them (minus the trial-ware)

Rich, you were spot on the money. To add to your comments, Sony's are very comfortable to work with -- good balance, smooth keyboard ops, etc.

Originally Posted by zebulus

What's wrong with Dell? I use dells and I like them. Just my opinion though.

Zebulus, like I said in my original statement, Ask a computer related question and get as many answers as replies. As for Dell's, it is a personal preference. My company used them. My experience has been, get a good one and you're good to good. Get a bad one and you may as well buy a boat because you have an anchor already. It seams like Dell's production line is hit or miss. My company has switched over to HP's because of this.

[photonewb]

laptops, IMO, are becoming a disposable expense. You can find a really nice one in the $500-700 range at places like Best Buy or on the web, or you can really cheap out and spend $299, and on the flip side you can still spend $1500 and get one that does way more than you need.

I personally paaid about $700 for a Toshiba about a year ago, and when I bought it things I was looking for were size, weight, ability to run Vista (as all units were shipping with vista at that time), ability to run photoshop just in case I needed something on the fly, and ease of use etc. I found a model I liked at Best Buy and got it. I've been pretty happy with it, and have since upgraded it to W7.

[photonewb]

Originally Posted by Rson

So was I dead on bob in my reco of the sony? Big fan of them (minus the trial-ware)

I normally like Sony for a lot of things, but after owning 2 Vaio laptops I won't go that route again.

The first one apparently had a motherboard overheating issue, and they had extended the warranty on it...mine started happening 2 months after the "extension" expired and they wouldn't do anything for me. I can kinda see their point, but damn my luck.

The other one quit working, and blue screened at about 6 months (Vista was the default OS and I don't think it was ever right). I ordered the restore disks and it wouldn't restore. Spent hours on chat with Sony and even they couldn't figure it out, the resolution was to "send it in"....well at $99 for a diagnostic fee, and then whatever the repairs are, it was cheaper to just go buy a new machine and be happy with it.

[DSL_PWR]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

I bought two Dells. One laptop and one desktop. Both were problems from day one. The desktop I could deal with because I can work on it without sending it back, but it had problems. The laptop was horrible. BSOD all the time. Shutdown whenever it wanted, start up whenever it wanted. No one could fix the problems after tech support call, time and time again. Sent it in and it would never get fixed. Sent me a new one... same issues (and it wasn't operator error). Never could fix it. Never would take care of it. They didn't stand behind their product so I won't support theirs.

Had many Dell laptops and never an issue with any of them. What did dell have to say about your issues, were they isolated or widespread with others?

Originally Posted by Rson

Love Sony's for editing, they have a great Matte screen. Reformat and reload Win7 fresh without the sony add in software and you have a pretty good machine.

Sony VAIO VPCF11PFX/H Notebook PC - Intel Core i7 720QM 1.60GHz, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, 16.4" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Gray at TigerDirect.com

Sony has some awesome laptops. I also like HP Elitebook laptops. Nice screen and plenty of storage options.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by DSL_PWR

Had many Dell laptops and never an issue with any of them. What did dell have to say about your issues, were they isolated or widespread with others?

they wouldn't acknowledge that it was widespread, but all one has to do is ask around to find out that they are. Of course it couldn't Be operator error when immediately I begin receiving BSOD's and memory errors.