Ok - so per this thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...uter-help.html

My laptop hard drive has died, laptop is a bit over 3 years old anyway.

Thoughts/experiences/suggestions?

I was really happy with the BenQ Joybook that just died. I gave it absolute hell for 3 years, and this is the first issue I have had with it.

My price range will be something under $1000

 

Brand-wise, I would suggest a Toshiba.. although I wouldn't pass up an HP or Dell if the price were right (my wife has an HP)

Intel dual-core, and a dedicated graphics card..

I've had bad experiences with Gateway / Acer (same company now)

Here's a few :Toshiba Laptops @ Newegg.com

 

i am using a refurbished gateway and love it.
2 year old machine that was returned by a school distrect as surplus.
they went over it and upgraded it.
and it only cost $250.

 

I have a Sony and used to love it.
Then, a little problem (that has plagued Sony for years) cropped up.
COLD SOLDER JOINTS!!!!!!!!

PC would not boot.
Long story short, this happened the day after the warranty expired!
Avoid Sony laptops!!!!! Sony wanted $700+ to replace motherboard!

Now, my company allows us to get one of their laptops that are 'refreshed' (replaced) for a $75.00 donation to a charity that our company sponsors.

I've got several HP/Compaq laptops that have been incredible!!!!!
I've got one, an nc6000 that has been through the devil's house, and back, and is like new.
My wife has an nc8230 that is nothing short of phenomenal!!!!!!!

The TWO disadantages to these pcs. . . .
• The hdds have been wiped clean. Sterile.
• The hdds are Western Digital. (Used to have a good reputation. No longer. Seagate, Maxtor, Toshiba, Hitatchi drives are MUCH better!)

 

I'm on a 5 year old HP laptop that was given to me by my stepdaughter after she started having problems with it such as malware etc...
Nothing extravagant about this machine, AMD Sempron 3200 processor, 384 megs of ram and a 40 gig HD.
After I cleaned it of all malicious malware and trojians, it runs just fine for what I do....ie.......surf the web and email...from my recliner!

She replaced this with a new HP which promptly froze up within an hour. She took it back to Best Buy, went to an Apple store and bought a small Mac.

If I were to go buy a laptop and spend up to a grand, just to surf the net and for email, I would go with a Mac. No doubt about it. My stepdaugher loves her new Mac!

If I were to buy a Windows based laptop...it would be a Toshiba. My wife bought a Toshiba and loves it.

I have a larger, more powerful desktop to run my simulator programs on.

 

I must respectfully disagree,

I replace on average of 2 laptop drives per week.

Seagate and Maxtor Drives are the same now, and nearly every Seagate 2.5" drive I installed I have had to replace inside of a 1.5 year period
and eat the cost. Seagate desktop drives are still very reliable.

I use Western Digital desktop and laptop drives exclusively and have had to replace very few of them.
(I'm replacing one now, but it's because the guy got mad and punched his laptop)

Hitachi Deskstar drives have the highest failure rate that I have seen of any of the above, so many so we nicknamed them Hitachi Deathstars...

Macs, well they're good machines, but you'll need $1500 to compare apples to apples, oh and there's that thing that bugs me about
not being able to change the battery...

 

Thanks for all the suggestions!
I am looking at this Lenovo:
Newegg.com - lenovo IdeaPad Y550 (41865BU) NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T6500(2.10GHz) 15.6" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm Dual layer DVD Burner NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M - Laptops / Notebooks

It seems the best "bang for my buck", anyone with any horror stories about Lenovo's?

 

Adrian,

I have a few customers who have gotten the Dell Lattitude 6500 laptop..

It is a pretty good machine and fits your price range as configured..

The cost with Windows 7 professional is $1034.00 plus tax and shipping.

Below is the system details from their site..


<TABLE id=sc_review_selections_table><TBODY><TR><TD class=sc_review_selections_page_title_cell colSpan=3>My System Details</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>PROCESSOR</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>OPERATING SYSTEM</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Genuine Windows® 7 Professional with media</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>LCD PANEL</TD><TD class=scrtd2>15.4” Widescreen WXGA (1280x800) LED Display - Brushed Metal Black</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>WARRANTY & SERVICE</TD><TD class=scrtd2>3 Year Limited Warranty and 3 Year Mail-in Service</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>SECURITY SOFTWARE</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Norton Internet Security™ 2009 15 Month</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#d6f4c0><TD></TD><TD class=scrtd2 vAlign=center align=right colSpan=2><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=review_page_upsell_header align=left>Dell Recommends</TD></TR><TR><TD class=review_page_upsell_blurb align=left>Upgrade to Norton Internet Security™ 2009 24 Month.</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center align=left><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=5></TD><TD class=review_page_upsell_price vAlign=center align=left>Upgrade to Norton Internet Security™ 2009 24 Month [add $20]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>VIDEO CARD</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>MEMORY</TD><TD class=scrtd2>3.0GB, DDR2-800 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>INTERNAL KEYBOARD</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Internal English Keyboard</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>CAMERA/MICROPHONE</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Digital Microphone</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>SYSTEMS MANAGMENT</TD><TD class=scrtd2>No Intel vPro™ Technology’s advanced management features</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>PRIMARY STORAGE</TD><TD class=scrtd2>250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM with Free Fall Sensor</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>OPTICAL DRIVE</TD><TD class=scrtd2>8X DVD with Cyberlink Power DVD™</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>WI-FI WIRELESS CARD</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Dell Wireless™ 1397 802.11b/g Mini Card</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>MODEM</TD><TD class=scrtd2>No Modem</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>FINGERPRINT READER OPTION</TD><TD class=scrtd2>No Fingerprint Reader</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>BACKUP OS DRIVERS AND SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Resource DVD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sc_review_selections_page_title_cell colSpan=3>My Accessories</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>BATTERY</TD><TD class=scrtd2>6 Cell Battery</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sc_review_selections_page_title_cell colSpan=3>My Services & Warranties</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>ON-SITE SYSTEM SETUP</TD><TD class=scrtd2>No Onsite System Setup</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict">edit</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sc_review_selections_page_title_cell colSpan=3>ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>LCDs</TD><TD class=scrtd2>BLACK WXGA Backlght LCD Panel w/ Microphone only</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict"></TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>Processor Branding</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Intel Core 2 Duo Processor</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict"></TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>OS Labels</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Windows 7 Sticker</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict"></TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=scrtd1>Windows 7 Upgrade Program Info</TD><TD class=scrtd2>Windows 7 Upgrade Web Site</TD><TD class=scrtd3 style="WORD-BREAK: keep-all; LINE-BREAK: strict"></TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=scrtd1>PRIMARY POWER OPTIONS</TD><TD class=scrtd2>90W A/C Adapter (3-pin)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

A few thinks I noticed is the the CPU and Bus Speed are slow, It is Windows Vista Home premium, Hard Drive Speed is slower. Also a 1 year warranty..

Although the price is low you will end up with a slower machine..

The Dell I spec'd out has a 3 year warranty, faster CPU and Bus Speed and Windows 7 Professional..


Just my 2 cents

 

If you travel a lot and bonce around in a vehicle I owuld be looking at a Panasonic toughbook.

 

Toughbooks, even old or refurbished ones cost a small fortune. If he's trying to stay under a grand, there's not much he'll find here.

Based on owning just about every brand and every combination of laptop, I'll provide my opinions.

Toshiba makes a good product. My primary laptop is still a giant Satellite that was made in 2003.

HP makes some of the best looking laptops around, and if you can catch them on sale, they're a great deal. If you want pure function over form, look elsewhere, because HP will have you paying for looks. Also avoid HP laptops running Turion processors, as they can heat excessively (painful to the touch at the wrist rest). The wife and I both have Atom-based HP netbooks, which are just plain awesome, although I wouldn't suggest one as a primary system.

Lenovo (bought IBM's portable division years ago) makes the best line of business-oriented laptops around, but you can often find something from another company that's comparable for less.

I bought the wife a Dell notebook last Christmas, and it's been nothing but flawless.

The biggest things you'll want to watch for are a minimum of 2Gb of RAM and DEDICATED VIDEO! For the love of god do not fal into the "this price is awesome!" trap and get something that has Intel Media Accelerator video. Something with a dedicated GeForce2Go or Mobility Radeon chipset will really wake up the system performance, and make it viable years down the road.

Stick with Intel processors simply for compatability. Remember, Intel is the king, AMD is the copycat. Too many patented goodies in Intel chips to be reliably re-engineered by someone else. I've had AMD based systems that were god awful and some that were just fine, but save the potential headache and stick with the original.

 

For laptops, I only spec Toshiba, and I buy them direct:

Toshiba Direct | Laptop Computers, Laptops, Projectors & Accessories

Have had good luck with Dell and HP, but bad luck too. Toshiba has been the most consistently solid. Although I would have to conveniently forget the Satellite 6000 fiasco.

 

Also, if you haven't already, get a USB adapter for your old hard drive. Although it won't boot, you might be able to connect it to the new system and retrieve some of your data. You can get one for less than $20.

 

Laptop suggestion from me is a mac. The boot every time and run faster then windows. Never an issue in my home. Two laptops and one desktop (mac's). Two windows, one desktop and one laptop always with issues.

 

Thanks Don for advice (and to everyone else!)
I found out (via an ad on FTE, lol) that Lenovo is having a sale on their site, and I think they may have my business.


Following specs:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
Operating system language Genuine Windows Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit with Service Pack1 US English, excludes Recover Media
System Graphics nVidia Geforce G 210M graphic card with 512MB memory
Color Black painting cover and Grey Palmrest
Display type 15.6 HD WLED Glossy, 1366*768 with 1.3M integrated Camera
Base PM45 15.6WLED CP-GM45M
Total memory 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz SODIMM Memory (2 Dimms)
Hard drive 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Battery 6 Cell Lithium-Ion 2.6Ah

All for $728 delivered
(I am not too concerned about the small/slow hard drive, I can update that at a later date if I need to)

What is everyone elses thoughts?
Good deal?