Anybody own a laptop

[patlajan]

I'm thinking of buying a laptop but don't know what to look for. Who's got a laptop and are happy/not happy with it?

[Siggie]

I'm happy w/ mine...
What you look for is the same thing you look for in a desktop.
ram is more important than processor speed. Min 512mb.

Other stuff depends on what you want to do with it.
Built in wifi if you'll have a network to use.
Sufficient harddrive space... I think standard is around 40gb.

I'd strongly recommend getting a dvd burner (for burning movies and data storage).

Software - who cares... you can find what you need.

As far as brands go, I'd say 1) Dell 2) Toshiba 3) one of the above two.
Sony may be acceptable as well.

[anileve]

I'm happy w/ mine...
What you look for is the same thing you look for in a desktop.
ram is more important than processor speed. Min 512mb.

Other stuff depends on what you want to do with it.
Built in wifi if you'll have a network to use.
Sufficient harddrive space... I think standard is around 40gb.

I'd strongly recommend getting a dvd burner (for burning movies and data storage). <---- advocating illegal activity? tsk tsk

Software - who cares... you can find what you need. <---- you are doing it again

Siggie you got me all excited until I got to this line.

As far as brands go, I'd say 1) Dell

[jilbagh]

I'd go with a Dell or an Apple Powerbook...but dont get it too heavy, cause the heavy ones are known to overheat and fuq up...like the 3ghz+ w/ht tech and the 1gb ram and the 100gb hard drive...a friend of my that works for dell in texas told me they're just too heavy and too much steroids for a laptop...

but i'd ultimatly go with the Powerbook 17", it's lightweight, does everything and more, slot load cd/dvd...even though it may be a little more, its well worth it. it looks sexier too

[Darorinag]

Toshiba is the best laptop I've used so far. It's cheap AND great quality. Stay away from Compaq. If you want a laptop that makes fridge sounds, get a Dell...

I have Toshiba Satellite 2450, and it's great: Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz, 512 MB RAM, 15" monitor, DVD-CD-RW combo, 60 GB HD, Nvidia GeForce4 420 Go - 32 mb, Wireless included: $2800 Canadian (15% tax included). Of course, that was a year ago, they have better stuff now.

Plus, you can just go and get it from any computer shop rather than going to their place (like Dell - and never ever pay for delivery with Dell, they delayed the delivery by 3 days, and eventually I had to go and pick it up....)

Compare with Dell Inspiron, Pentium 4 2.6 Ghz, 512 MB RAM, 15" monitor, DVD-CD-RW combo, 20 GB HD, (don't remember the graphics card they use, but I don't think it's NVIDIA) w/32 MB, no wireless, fridge sounds, heavy: $3500 Canadian (15% tax included, shipment charges not included, + you might want to get a 3 year warranty with Dell.... which is more than $400)..

[Genuine_Stud]

I'm thinking of buying a laptop but don't know what to look for. Who's got a laptop and are happy/not happy with it?

I've got a Dell laptop and I'm REALLY happy with it. Their customer service really kicks ass and their laptops themselves don't really give too many problems.

Make sure when you get the Dell laptop that you also get warranty. I had my laptop crash on me once and they ended up replacing my laptop with a newer one instead of the one I had because of the warranty. Free upgrade... hahaha.

The pricing is not that bad either because you can customize what you want on the laptop to fit your price and usually if you order the laptop in promotion time you get things like free shipping, free printer, free memory upgrade, and/or other stuff.

Here.... just pick your Dell laptop and start customizing it to fit your budget.

STICK WITH A DELL. YOU WON'T GO WRONG WITH IT. TRUST ME.

[Darorinag]

The only positive thing about Dell that I can think of is that you can customize it (not sure if you can do the same with Toshiba online).. Other than that, it crashes / freezes too much, makes too much noise, and is generally not so stable compared to other laptop brands (so yes, get a 3-year warranty if you get Dell).... Dell would be my last choice of a laptop. Worse than a Compaq... Honestly, I don't care if they replace my laptop with a new, upgraded one. I just don't want to go through the trouble. I don't care about that. If I get a laptop, I'd want to get one that doesn't crash [so I don't even want to use the warranty]...

My Toshiba hasn't crashed even ONCE ever since I bought it. Go Toshiba!

[Genuine_Stud]

The only positive thing about Dell that I can think of is that you can customize it (not sure if you can do the same with Toshiba online).. Other than that, it crashes / freezes too much, makes too much noise, and is generally not so stable compared to other laptop brands (so yes, get a 3-year warranty if you get Dell).... Dell would be my last choice of a laptop. Worse than a Compaq... Honestly, I don't care if they replace my laptop with a new, upgraded one. I just don't want to go through the trouble. I don't care about that. If I get a laptop, I'd want to get one that doesn't crash [so I don't even want to use the warranty]...

My Toshiba hasn't crashed even ONCE ever since I bought it. Go Toshiba!

All laptops/computers crash whether you like it or not.

I don't know which Dell laptop you've owned or had, but the newer models don't have much problems with crashing/freezing and making too much noise.

Like I said, my laptop ONLY crashed once over a duration of 2 years. I got it replaced with a newer model FOR FREE. What other company would replace your crashed laptop with a NEWER model FOR FREE. They'll just either repair it and send it back to you or give you another used model of your laptop.

I'm not saying Toshiba is bad, because I actually like Toshiba as well. However, when you run into problems with your computer, customer service is known to be very vital into helping solve your problem and as far as it's been said.... Dell has one of the best customer service in the computer industry.

[Siggie]

Siggie you got me all excited until I got to this line.

C'mon. They aren't bad, I had a dell inspiron before the current Toshiba and it was great.

Dell has excellent service. You get a Dell for warranty.
I bought the Toshiba thinking it was cheaper and at the register I thought xxxx... warranty. When I added a warranty, the Dell was about the same price.

They aren't that loud either. Sometimes I think mine is loud, but if you really wanna hear a loud one. Try the Vaios... They sound like a plane taking off!

[Darorinag]

All laptops/computers crash whether you like it or not.

Umm no, not really..

What other company would replace your crashed laptop with a NEWER model FOR FREE. They'll just either repair it and send it back to you or give you another used model of your laptop.

How do you know they wouldn't? You're talking about YOUR experience with DELL, but do you have experience with other brands? If you have a 1-year limited warranty, they'll do repairs, most probably.. but if you have a 3 year extended warranty, they will replace it..

OK, so Dell has great customer service, but frankly, what would you rather have - a laptop that doesn't need customer service in the first place, or a laptop that needs customer service just for the sake of using the warranty and the great customer service Dell has? I prefer the former. Besides, how do you know what Toshiba's customer service is like compared to Dell's?