Best Lapop [maker]

Ichigo Style · 08-17-2006, 04:56 AM

Allright, so it seems like I am up for a new Laptop in the next week or so (I just saw my paycheck, and I'm dumping my Compaq Presario on my brother for $500) So i'm here asking if anyone has any advice on what company I should go through to get my new laptop.

Right now i'm typing this on a Compaq Presario, and I have one major issue. sticky keys. I'm very carefull around my keyboard (I.E. food, drink, ect.) and it seems like I can't type more than a few paragraphs with out getting "ssssssssssssssss" or worse, when I'm tying to browse files and my [ctrl] key sticks -_- Am I doomed to this with all manufacturers keyboards?

Another (stupid... I know.) complaint that I have is the design of the laptop. it doesn't look to pretty on the outside, and dispite its "heavy duty" look, its pretty damn flimsy. My price range is somewhere around $800-$900, and this is not a gaming laptop, but I would like it to pack some sort of a punch, i'm also more to the liking of AMD than Intel chips (64bit if possible).

Once again, i'm looking for the best laptop that I can get for between $800 and $900, wireless (g preferably) is a must as well. (I've seen a couple that don't have built in wireless.) The keys are the real main issue here, any help?

squeaky · 08-17-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Himawari

i'm also more to the liking of AMD than Intel chips (64bit if possible).

Well, at least your not getting a Dell. (Dell doesn't sell AMD.) Cause it might explode on you.

I fix laptops often, and just so you know, the design of HP's and Dells are much better than the design of Sony laptops. Sony's laptops are impossible to open up and replace anything. Avertech laptops are just retarded, and just about anything on them will break. So never buy an Avertech. I haven't seen one company have more problems with a keyboard than another company. Every time somebody brings in a laptop with bad keys, it's cause they either stepped on it or spilled something on the keyboard.

Beer Can · 08-17-2006, 08:16 PM

Companies that suck at making good laptops at affordable prices:
-Dell (charge too much for what you get. Plus they explode.)
-Apple (I'd rather not spend $2500 on a laptop I could otherwise get for $800)
-Sony (VAIOS BREAK A LOT)
-Averatech, for reasons mentioned above.

Go Toshiba. Seriously. A little higher on the curve of performance, and they are built for quality.

As for gaming, let me clear this up: Unless you want to order from the manufacturer and spend over 2 grand, any laptop you get will NOT be great for gaming. The graphics cards usually max out at a mere 128 MB, and that's split equally between dedicated and shared.

So that's my opinion on things.

Nomi · 08-17-2006, 08:40 PM

As much of a whore for Apple as I am (on a MacBook as we speak) you might be better off with a Toshiba. This does have a nice design and good keyboard and was only $900, but I doubt you're looking for a Mac, BootCamp or not.

Toshibas are pretty good for the price. The keyboards weren't bad on the two I used and I've heard good reports about the screen hinges lasting longer than some other manufacturer's laptops.

Beer Can · 08-17-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomi

As much of a whore for Apple as I am (on a MacBook as we speak) you might be better off with a Toshiba. This does have a nice design and good keyboard and was only $900, but I doubt you're looking for a Mac, BootCamp or not.

Toshibas are pretty good for the price. The keyboards weren't bad on the two I used and I've heard good reports about the screen hinges lasting longer than some other manufacturer's laptops.

In no way did I mean to imply that Apple's laptops weren't top quality... I just feel they're overpriced. If you plan on doing movie editing, or were interested in working with music, Apples are superior to Windows-operating computers.

I just don't like the price tag and the lack of compatibility with many programs, is all.

But yeah. The current wave of Toshibas are some of the best-rated laptops available. (Exception: Qosimos, but we don't talk about those.) Many models in Toshiba's line are also running Dual-Core processors. THAT'S sexy. And you can get those for under $1000, with a decent computer attached.

t('' ) · 08-17-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeaky

Well, at least your not getting a Dell. (Dell doesn't sell AMD.) Cause it might explode on you.

I fix laptops often, and just so you know, the design of HP's and Dells are much better than the design of Sony laptops. Sony's laptops are impossible to open up and replace anything. Avertech laptops are just retarded, and just about anything on them will break. So never buy an Avertech. I haven't seen one company have more problems with a keyboard than another company. Every time somebody brings in a laptop with bad keys, it's cause they either stepped on it or spilled something on the keyboard.

Well Don't apple laptops explode as well? It has something to do with the quality of the battery. Anyway, I currently use a Toshiba, and it has caused me HUGE trouble. Maybe because I had to go through the Geek Squad, but still it caused me a large amount of problems and time.

Nomi · 08-17-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribos

In no way did I mean to imply that Apple's laptops weren't top quality... I just feel they're overpriced.

I just don't like the price tag and the lack of compatibility with many programs, is all...
...under $1000, with a decent computer attached.

I see, but I don't. My MacBook was $900 and is a fantastic machine (shit, I did some pretty quick rendering in iMovie for a family project the other day). They also run Windows now, legally and fully, so there isn't any 'incompatibility' anymore.

My boyfriend's mom has a nicer Toshiba, about a year old and she paid $1300 for it then, and it's held up through some hilariously awful falls without any damage, so I can at least give Toshiba props for good hinges and casing.

raven_tker · 08-17-2006, 09:56 PM

Now if you dont mind it looking like a major POS IBM (lenovo now, get a used ibm i guess if you really want one) laptops, specifically the thinkpad, are pretty much the best you can get. theres no question about them, they work fantastically for years. Youll be hating yourself for getting it because in 10 years it will still work and you wont want to blow money on a new one.

btw they come with wireless A i hear 8U

edit: thinkpad keyboards kick some serious ass. I actually prefer it over my desktop keyboard

Victamone · 08-17-2006, 10:26 PM

http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT

Alienware. My brother has had his for about 2 years and they rock.

Ichigo Style · 08-18-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victamone

http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT

Alienware. My brother has had his for about 2 years and they rock.

I'm going to point out something here...

I messed around with the customization. And I can get the same fucking laptop, for around $800 through HP/Compaq. Alienware is chargeing DOUBLE and thats with some compromises on RAM and HDD. I Fail to see HOW this laptop is any better than other brands. Hell, the VAIO that i customized was cheeper than that D:

And aren't thinkpads restricted to that god damned knob? D: If so I don't want one. Toshiba is looking nice... i'm looking at more than I want to spend :/ its a good $250 more than a HP that i'm looking at.

Victamone · 08-18-2006, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Himawari

HP/Compaq

I've had some pretty bad problems over the years with HP/Compaqs. And as for the Toshiba, that doesn't sound too bad..

raven_tker · 08-18-2006, 01:24 AM

right now i also have a compaq that i bought last year. Problems? none at all. It costed a little over 1k.

it was new from the factory last year to give you an idea of the model style

animesuperj · 08-18-2006, 01:51 AM

I have a 12 inch apple powerbook and a 15 inch HP, and I love them both. I've had the HP for around, 2 - 3 years or so, and it's still able to keep up very well with the new games and whatnot. Althought it's probably a bit pricey if your not looking to game, as this is basically one of my LAN machines. The apple I mainly use for school, because of the battery life. That, and I love apple laptops. Again, probably a bit much for what your looking to spend.

I pretty much agree with other people on this thread that Toshiba is probably a safe bet to go. They're good machines for the money. Also, look into some lower end HP's. I know my girlfriend got one last year for around $700, and it's a very decent computer.

You may also want to keep an eye out at Circuit City / Best Buy type places within this month, as they will most likely be having "Back to School" sales on computers. Just throwing it out there.

Sexy · 08-18-2006, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victamone

http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT

Alienware. My brother has had his for about 2 years and they rock.

You might as well get an Alienware CPU. My school has their laptops(I use CAD on them), and I can assure you, they are pretty bad.

1. They need constant power. You can't charge it, then unplug it and use it. It's got to be plugged in during use.

2. It gets extremely hot to the point where it hurts.

3. They're huge! It's very difficult to travel with them, and you cannot use them on airplanes(unless you have a portable outlet of some sort).

4. You're not looking for gaming.

Toshiba would be best. My friend had a VAIO, and the keys would break off one by one. I don't know if it was him or not, but he said this never used to happen to his last laptop.

So, yeah, Toshiba.

Ichigo Style · 08-18-2006, 07:59 AM

Toshiba is looking really good about now, I think i'm going to go with one of them, I'm gonna mull over it for about a week... I don't think i'm going to go through a store such as Best Buy or Circut City, simpily because i'm going with the best damned processor I can get my hands on in the thing. I think that I can skimp on the ram a bit at first, is it easy to access the ram slots on a Toshiba? I've only used a mac and a Compaq, the compaq which theres a panel on the bottom with a picture of a ram stick XD, will it be easy to open and put ram in?

I should know this >.> but laptop ram IS differnt than desktop ram, correct? i'm aware of the differences between DDR, ect. but i've never put ram into a laptop. Just asking for pricing reasons.

Does anyone else have any experience with Toshiba laptops? Its good to have reassurance on large purchases.
<edit>I am now aware that the title of the topic is "Lapop" XD this is because of my keys on the compaq laptop that i have, and is a perfect example of WHY I can't use this thing for school >.>
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...HO&coid=-30598
me likey blue D: