109 replies to this topic

[maleman]

who knows how to make my processor go faster

Get eTrust Security Suite from Computer Associates. It is the BEST at not hogging up resources. That's the gospel, Trust me!

[Jill]

I have found they're all really about the same. Just depends on what features you want.

I'll be buying one next week probably for an employee, so it's a good thread to have now!

[copywriter]

I looked in Consumer Reports and it ranked the best (in order) as:

HP (which I'd heard wasn't a good brand anymore)
Compaq (owned by HP)
Sony (I've heard good things about them)
Gateway
Toshiba (which is what I have and have liked)
Dell

As for service:

Apple
IBM
Toshiba
Dell
Gateway

I'm just starting to search. What I'd really like to have is a 17" monitor and (as I said) the built-in keypad. Yes, I am a copywriter, but I'm also a small business owner so I often have to do routine accounting stuff.

BUT, more important to me than a 17" monitor is a good quality monitor. I'll be checking out everybody's laptops when we do the SEO seminar in Texas next month. I think pretty much every speaker has a different brand

Anybody else love (or hate) their laptops?

[SARBRO]

im switching to an apple 13.3 laptop but waiting till the new duo core 2 comes out in a few months - perfect for school, work and everything else. Have a 19in ultra sharp that will be my main monitor when i'm home... check out these specs! http://www.apple.com...book/specs.html

[magellan]

I have a Toshiba at home (Satellite I think) with 60GB HDD and a widescreen display. It comes with a wireless card which is handy around the home. It is a really good and well built laptop.

I had Norton bundled with it but this is still in the wrapper as I prefer to use AVG.

[rynert]

I purchased a Compaq nx9420 (HP) a couple of months back. Been very happy wih it so far.

But - word of warning, if you get the 3-year next business day hardware fix contract from HP - they don't honour it if the parts are not in stock, I was quoted over 3 weeks for my next day fix (which was not needed anyway...)

Second word of warning - be prepared for an outsourced technical support nightmare.

That said, the actually notebook is good

[Sarah]

My boss just ordered me a Toshiba Satellite A110 Cel M - 410 (1.6)

Some new guy is gonna get my desktop, but it means I can actually sit around at home in my PJ's, with uncombed hair and work at weekends instead of having to drag my bittom the five minute walk to my office!

And I have also convinced the lovely boyf to install (a secured) wireless internet connection in our home - I think he looking at getting something like 8mb (whatever it is meant to be). sweet.

[copywriter]

I may stick with Toshiba. This one has been very good to me. I wouldn't buy an HP right now because of the nightmare my father went through with his desktop about a year ago.

HP used to be the best, but they have really declined (especially in service) over the years, IMO.

Dell's service is great. I've had a couple things I needed on my desktop and they did a good job of helping. If they made a 17" monitor with an integrated keypad, I'd be happier with them. I might look at them anyway since I know the reliability.

I'm going to try AVG. Maybe getting rid of Norton will give my processor the relief it needs. I'm maxed on RAM now (1024) so adding more is out.

[chrishirst]

Try out Avast for AV.

[jwhitakr]

I looked in Consumer Reports and it ranked the best (in order) as:

HP (which I'd heard wasn't a good brand anymore)
Compaq (owned by HP)
Sony (I've heard good things about them)
Gateway
Toshiba (which is what I have and have liked)
Dell

As for service:

Apple
IBM
Toshiba
Dell
Gateway

I'm just starting to search.  What I'd really like to have is a 17" monitor and (as I said) the built-in keypad.  Yes, I am a copywriter, but I'm also a small business owner so I often have to do routine accounting stuff. 

BUT, more important to me than a 17" monitor is a good quality monitor.  I'll be checking out everybody's laptops when we do the SEO seminar in Texas next month.  I think pretty much every speaker has a different brand

Anybody else love (or hate) their laptops?

In the past couple of years, I've used Dell, IBM, Toshiba and Gateway laptops. The only brand I wouldn't recommend is Gateway, due to the support issues I had with them.

I've used the Thinkpad T41 and T43 models from IBM and found them to be very reliable, and average in terms of speed and display quality. The two Dell models I've used are the D610 and the B130, and both impressed me. The Toshiba I used was an older Satellite model (can't remember exactly which one), but it had a very nice screen and was a good performer. Only issue with that one was that it was a bit on the heavy side.

These are just some general comments about my usage experience. I would recommend you read reviews online, both from common users and from technology reviewers / editors. If you don't mind me tooting my own horn, I've written a guide that I believe would be helpful for you.

Link edited due to violation of [url=http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?act=boardrules]Forum Rules[/url]. You are welcome to add that link to your signature.

Best of luck and do let us know how your search progresses.
Justin

Edited by copywriter, 28 September 2006 - 07:19 AM.

[sweepthelegnate]

I've used 4 different laptops on a daily basis over a period of two years.

1. Dell Latitude - had this issue where the processor would get hot and fry the keyboard.

2. Sony Something - overall better construction than the dell.

3. IBM Thinkpad X40 - loved this machine, I don't know if there are any differences now that the thinkpad line was sold to Lenovo.

4. A couple of different macs: Powerbook G4 and a baseline Macbook - overall, I would say these are the far and away the best computers I have ever owned. I'm no mac evangelist, but I would say they are definitely worth a look. I use them day in and day out for seo work and there is nothing that I can't use it for. A great user experience.

[smc_online]

Really?  Never heard of that brand. How long have you had it?

Sorry for the delay response Karen. If you visit their site you'll find more info there. They are good laptops and price fair. I've had mine for almost 2 years without a hitch (knock on wood). I love it!

[webangel]

Do you guys think a 256 RAM laptop is okay? I mean, in terms of performance? And which is better, Dell or Toshiba?

[welltempered]

Well, I'm an unabashed Mac evangelist. I'm on my 4th: started with a G3 Powerbook, then 2 G4s, and now I have my wonderful MacBook Pro.

There is a 17" MacBook Pro--one of my friends got it and she loves it. Karon, you seem pretty much in the PC frame of mind but if anyone else reading this thread is on the fence, give the Mac Book or MacBook Pro a look. And then give me a shout and I'll point you in the direction of some great software, some of it free.

[zephyr]

Computer service guy for 17 years-
Lenovo is prob best of lot.
Rare to find a Dell that hasn't had (or will have!) problems.
Plus Dell tech support....very variable
Lenovo tech support = the way it should be.

Also, Old Toshibas never die......