While we do have a thread going on buying computers, my question is this: I have an interest in buying a laptop, but some of my friends have had major technical problems and breakdowns with theirs - any advice for a fellow like me (who is a bit of a computer geek) who is looking at the possibility of getting one - for me, it would be used for the bare basics - word processing and of course, surfing the net and email. Any advice on the makes and models of those that are especially proven for their reliability (and also those to definitely advoid) would be greatly appreciated.
Buying a laptop
- Thread starter 40plus
- Start date
IMHO on laptops, I prefer IBM, Dell and Toshiba as far as reliability goes. Sony also makes an interesting notebook but I don’t have personal experience. Compaq is a hit and miss. They’ve made some good ones and some bad ones. One brand to avoid is Acer.
Purchase decision should be based on features, price and warranty.
Buying a used notebook can be a risk as notebooks are difficult to service and they are not as tough as a desktop computer and are prone to abuse due to their portability. Also the other consideration is the battery. Notebook batteries usually only last about 3 years and are very expensive to replace. It’s rare to find a notebook older than 3 years with a working battery. If you’re always going to be near a power outlet then you may not be concerned about the battery.
Purchase decision should be based on features, price and warranty.
Buying a used notebook can be a risk as notebooks are difficult to service and they are not as tough as a desktop computer and are prone to abuse due to their portability. Also the other consideration is the battery. Notebook batteries usually only last about 3 years and are very expensive to replace. It’s rare to find a notebook older than 3 years with a working battery. If you’re always going to be near a power outlet then you may not be concerned about the battery.
For bare basics? Second hand is best
Think of it this way, basic word processing's been done since the first personal computers were marketted. You'll pay way less, the idiosyncracies of your machine will be known—to others, ("buy what you friend's know") even if they're "yours to discover". Used machines often come with SW installed—though we know they shouldn't—and the appropriate …for Dummies books are remaindered, or available at the library. Do we really need to be cutting edge for just the basics?
As for reliability: I'm on my third Mac Powerbook, my first is still being used for "just the basics" by someone else. Number 2's been a 'parts car' for #1, but it'll be kitchen e-mail with a new HD. Number 3 is speaking to you now. I've dropped 'em, froze 'em, left 'em in the rain, explored their insides, they've never needed a service person. The Jellybean clamshell iBooks are even more rugged. My colleague paid five times what I did (less that a K three yrs ago, $200 currently) for a new IBM ThinkPad and had to spend even more money to network at all, and way less easily than me. And he crashes and freezes more often.
BTW CinemaFace is dead on about batteries, and if AC-free matters to you, you need to beware the "NiCad battery memory effect". Most used computer batteries suffer from it if they're NiCad, and you'll get way, way less than 3hrs use. But I live in a world w/ AC everywhere and I just plug in. Apart from the battery-biz, trailing edge is the way to go.
Think of it this way, basic word processing's been done since the first personal computers were marketted. You'll pay way less, the idiosyncracies of your machine will be known—to others, ("buy what you friend's know") even if they're "yours to discover". Used machines often come with SW installed—though we know they shouldn't—and the appropriate …for Dummies books are remaindered, or available at the library. Do we really need to be cutting edge for just the basics?
As for reliability: I'm on my third Mac Powerbook, my first is still being used for "just the basics" by someone else. Number 2's been a 'parts car' for #1, but it'll be kitchen e-mail with a new HD. Number 3 is speaking to you now. I've dropped 'em, froze 'em, left 'em in the rain, explored their insides, they've never needed a service person. The Jellybean clamshell iBooks are even more rugged. My colleague paid five times what I did (less that a K three yrs ago, $200 currently) for a new IBM ThinkPad and had to spend even more money to network at all, and way less easily than me. And he crashes and freezes more often.
BTW CinemaFace is dead on about batteries, and if AC-free matters to you, you need to beware the "NiCad battery memory effect". Most used computer batteries suffer from it if they're NiCad, and you'll get way, way less than 3hrs use. But I live in a world w/ AC everywhere and I just plug in. Apart from the battery-biz, trailing edge is the way to go.
Re: Re: Almost forgot
http://maccave1.freeyellow.com/5300.html
http://lowendmac.com/misc/990416.html
http://www.macobserver.com/editorial/2001/02/13.1.shtml
But I happended to know it's Loch Ness the critter isn't in.
Okay, so I'm the only guy on this board who ever exaggerated. It was only two machines—well, maybe three—, it was actually the Sony batteries that flamed, the 'puters themselves only "overheated". Read here (just a quick Sherlock search):Crazy Canuck said:
http://maccave1.freeyellow.com/5300.html
http://lowendmac.com/misc/990416.html
http://www.macobserver.com/editorial/2001/02/13.1.shtml
But I happended to know it's Loch Ness the critter isn't in.
Compaq if nothing else is really durable. I bought one over a year ago. One morning when I was looking for some stuff in the back trunk of my car before going to work, I put the then brand new laptop on the garage floor. Forgot all about it, I went back to the car, put it into reverse and backed out. I felt the rear wheel ran over something. Not knowing what it was still, I drove the car back into garage and ran over that "something" again, before It donned on me that that "something" my car had run over - twice -was my brand new Compaq.
Other than a crushed screen and a wavy case, the computer has been working fine. Mind you, it is no longer a laptop (damn expensive to replace one of those LCD screens). Instead, I've done some paint work to the crushed screen to make it look like a screen saver, and continue to use it both at work home and work, hooking to a monitor with no incidence.
My next laptop will have to be in a titanium case, for sure!
Other than a crushed screen and a wavy case, the computer has been working fine. Mind you, it is no longer a laptop (damn expensive to replace one of those LCD screens). Instead, I've done some paint work to the crushed screen to make it look like a screen saver, and continue to use it both at work home and work, hooking to a monitor with no incidence.
My next laptop will have to be in a titanium case, for sure!
Powerbook or iBook
If you can afford it the Mac powerbooks are a treat.
I'm using a PB G3 2000 (Firewire) right now and this computer has been through the wringer. It will run OS X although I'm sure that a newer computer would go quicker.
If you get one that has Firewire (this was the first one) then you can hook up peripherals as needed with no muss and no fuss. The new iBooks get great reviews and are cheaper than the higher-end metal Powerbooks. There is a good feeling that comes from using a well-designed and engineered piece of equipment.
Apple offers an extended warranty programme that will increase the coverage to three years total. It adds about $300Cdn to the price but you have the option to buy it at any time before the original warranty expires.
Battery life is excellent (I still get over two hours and my batteries are pushing three years. I got around five when new. The newer ones are supposed to be better.). Ease of use is legendary. There is a reason why Macs are used by choice in creative non-IT environments. People who can function in Windows can be up and running in a few minutes on a Mac. They are incredibly versatile and flexible and as others have attested in various threads here, very reliable.
Stores that sell them and offer good service include Accurate Technology or Carbon Computing.
http://www.accurate-tech.com/
http://www.carbonation.com/
If you don't need Windows, as in you need to run a unique application that isn't available for the Mac, and if they lie within your budget, then you will appreciate the upgrade. Due to the nature of many Mac owners (giddy that someone else has joined the cult), finding assistance is usually a simple task. Earlier this year I convinced a friend who'd never used a Mac before to buy an LCD iMac as his first home computer and he loves it. A leap of faith is required but the landing brings rewards.
Finally, while they do cost more, they retain their value. No used computer will sell for as much as an Apple Powerbook.
If you can afford it the Mac powerbooks are a treat.
I'm using a PB G3 2000 (Firewire) right now and this computer has been through the wringer. It will run OS X although I'm sure that a newer computer would go quicker.
If you get one that has Firewire (this was the first one) then you can hook up peripherals as needed with no muss and no fuss. The new iBooks get great reviews and are cheaper than the higher-end metal Powerbooks. There is a good feeling that comes from using a well-designed and engineered piece of equipment.
Apple offers an extended warranty programme that will increase the coverage to three years total. It adds about $300Cdn to the price but you have the option to buy it at any time before the original warranty expires.
Battery life is excellent (I still get over two hours and my batteries are pushing three years. I got around five when new. The newer ones are supposed to be better.). Ease of use is legendary. There is a reason why Macs are used by choice in creative non-IT environments. People who can function in Windows can be up and running in a few minutes on a Mac. They are incredibly versatile and flexible and as others have attested in various threads here, very reliable.
Stores that sell them and offer good service include Accurate Technology or Carbon Computing.
http://www.accurate-tech.com/
http://www.carbonation.com/
If you don't need Windows, as in you need to run a unique application that isn't available for the Mac, and if they lie within your budget, then you will appreciate the upgrade. Due to the nature of many Mac owners (giddy that someone else has joined the cult), finding assistance is usually a simple task. Earlier this year I convinced a friend who'd never used a Mac before to buy an LCD iMac as his first home computer and he loves it. A leap of faith is required but the landing brings rewards.
Finally, while they do cost more, they retain their value. No used computer will sell for as much as an Apple Powerbook.
