Good laptops

[Sveivo]

Here we go again. Domestic vs. Imports. (peep)

 

[Rush]

Ohboy, I can make a real contribution!

So Vin', you prolly remember that my Toshiba laptop took a s*** about a month ago, right? So first off -- DO NOT GO WITH TOSHIBA. ******* asshole bastards, I hope the whole company chokes on plastic.

Anyhoo, I wound up buying a Dell Inspiron E1505 -- with a shitload of upgrades. I caught some kinda sale where you could basically upgrade it to the next model (save for the slightly smaller screen size). I got .. let's see here ..

- Intel Core Duo Processor (2MB)
- 80 GB hard drive
- 15.4 TrueLife Widescreen monitor
- XP Home (with an actual copy of it)
- 8X DVD+/-RW burner (burns CDs and DVDs)
- A bunch of various software to burn said CDs and DVDs
- Soundblaster Advanced Audio upgrade
- Wireless Bluetooth module
- An upgraded wireless card (I can't remember the numbers for it)
- McAfee antivirus with 2 year subscription
- Microsoft Office already installed

There were some other goodies that were also tacked on, but those are the major ones that I remember. All in all, the laptop should've cost me about $1800 .. But thanks to whatever sale, I got it for $1100. I've only had it for a few days, and I'm completely in love.

So if you have any questions about that Dell Inspiron model, mine's probably VERY close to the exact thing you'd buy .. so ask away!

 

[vindication]

Thanks Cindy. Yeah, I was looking at the E15 but probably was gonna go with the E17. But I am not sure. Later today or this weekend I will be going somewhere to compare the size differences between the 15.4" and 17" laptops. Then depending on that I'll choose the size. But it's still up in the air between Fujitsu and Dell. No, I wont buy Toshiba, I've heard stories of them(including your thread).
Also, Cindy, how is the build quality and appearance of the Dell? I really wiah I had a closer Fujitsu shop(closest is in manhattan) to compare them.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

ok, my expierence with dell laptops is this, dont get one ive had one and its complete s*** a friend of mine has had one and its complete s*** as well. it lasted me a year IF THAT. my model had known motherboard overheating issues and dell did not inform me at any time of said problem...so basically i have fubard mother board which would cost me 600 for a new one then install and the like, basically 1/2 of the cost of the laptop or another new one...SO i went with a powerbook g4 15 in and im pleased!

 

[Rush]

Also, Cindy, how is the build quality and appearance of the Dell?

Build quality looks good. It feels very solid, and there's nothing on it that appears 'not right' or loose or anything like that. I'm definitely pleased.

As far as appearance -- well, I figured some pics would be better than me yabbering, heh. BUT, I got a different 'cover' for my laptop. Yay for fake CF! Because yes, I am THAT gay .. But s***, it was another free upgrade, haha. And it actually looks pretty good, IMO. Just know that the 'cover' that's dark on mine is silver on a 'standard' model. That's the only difference.


View from the 'front', as you would hold the laptop when you open it to use it. There's buttons on the front part of the lower panel to operate the CD/DVD player (sound controls, play controls):

View from the 'back', with the laptop opening away from you. You can't see it very well, but it says 'INSPIRON' on the large part of the silver hinge at the bottom of the pic:

View from the side with the DVD burner:

Opened:

Size comparison, that's a DVD case that's sitting upright on the right of the laptop:

ok, my expierence with dell laptops is this, dont get one ive had one and its complete s*** a friend of mine has had one and its complete s*** as well. it lasted me a year IF THAT. my model had known motherboard overheating issues and dell did not inform me at any time of said problem...so basically i have fubard mother board which would cost me 600 for a new one then install and the like, basically 1/2 of the cost of the laptop or another new one...SO i went with a powerbook g4 15 in and im pleased!

I've known more than a few people who have Dell laptops, and they all love them .. I've had a Dell desktop for almost seven years, and despite the fact that it was riddled with viruses and crap thanks to my own neglect, the damn thing still kept running. It runs beautifully now that I redid it. I've never had a single complaint about Dell. But that's just my two cents!

 

[vindication]

Thanks Cindy. Now you got a cf laptop to go with the cf on the MSP . One thing I like about the Fujitsu is the security features on it, not like I really need it though. Def. a tough choice. Thanks for the pics.

 

[genericuser]

dana, I agree with you about thinkpads, but from my experience, the fingerprint readers are still in their larval stages. They work great for about a year, and then they just basically give up. Its an issue IBM/Lenovo has recalled a few machines for!

 

[madmax_2069]

all i can say is OUCH

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/28/another_dell_laptop_burns/

 

[2k3 PrO RiDa]

We just got a shipment of the new compaq with the amd turion dual core system at fry's. Only thing is that the cache size is 256x2kb(512kb). All ive seen are the specs so far so hopefully i'll get to check it out soon or somethign.

 

[vindication]

all i can say is OUCH

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/28/another_dell_laptop_burns/

seems to be a faulty battery charging system. Also looks like it is in the D-series which are for businesses. So no worries here. Rest assured dude, I am still not buying a Mac!

 

[vindication]

also, anyone with a Fujitsu wanna take some pics of it like Cindy did of her laptop? Also with the desktop screen running to see clarity and whatnot.

 

[vindication]

ok. I decided that after looking at some pics of the fujitsu that the dell has a overall better build quality. Now to decide whether I want 17" or 15.4". I'll be heading over to the store later today to decide which one I prefer. Thanks for the help people.

 

[Newf]

I've been through a couple of toshiba's. WE currently got a new contract with Dell for our machines and have been having better luck with reliability with them. I have gone through a few "testing" them. Dell inspiron 6000, 6400, LAtitude 620, and now a 820. I must say the battery life on these new core duo's is quite impressive. I am using a 820 now, I get a good 6 hours out of it with the brightness down. The 620 is a nice compromise of size/performance at 4 lbs and it won't kill the pocketbook. My 820 is a bit larger, about 6.5 lbs loaded.

 

[vindication]

Yeah, those are for small businesses though. I could get one through my uncle though cause he has business but that thing about the d series going up in flames due to the charging system kinda has me shying away from them.

Question, the 17" isn't the same size as a 17" desktop monitor right? The laptop monitor is wider but more compressed hieghtwise right? Someone care to take measurement of their 15.4" and 17" of just the screen itself?

 

[vindication]

ohh, one more dumb question. Since I'll be over in europe, I shouldn't bother getting the netgear 802.11g wireless router option should I? The intel pro/wireless 3945 wireless, will work there with the service I get in europe right?

 

[madmax_2069]

ohh, one more dumb question. Since I'll be over in europe, I shouldn't bother getting the netgear 802.11g wireless router option should I? The intel pro/wireless 3945 wireless, will work there with the service I get in europe right?

it should , wifi is wifi no matter how you look at it. if its a 802.11 b or g both are compatable with each other but g is faster but still those two are the norm i think wifi g is compatable with a to i cant remember. your laptop should have 802.11 g built in and in order to use it on broadband without useing a ethernet cable i would op to get the router cause the router has the ability of diffrent settings for each country so no matter where you go if its PPPoE like here in the USA or what other ones over there, the router will convert it to a standard comunication that any computer can use.

i know my linksys wireless router supports several diffrent protocols that diffrent country's use i think it would be the same with most routers. but yea if you want to roam around not teathered to the modem by the ethernet cord then i would get the router so you can have the wifi connection to walk freely around.

 

[vindication]

cool, thanks. I'll make sure to get a router.