Guys, looking to purchase a laptop and to the average user, attempting to compare apples to apples is almost impossible with the variations on memory, speed, software, etc.
I’m not looking to go Apple. I want PC. I need small business tools/power, mostly excel, word and internet functionality. I would also like the entertainment bells and whistles; dvd, music, etc.
Any recommendations?
Much appreciated.
Sounds like just about every laptop on the planet.
Do you have a budget in mind? Quality wise you generally get what you pay for.
I’ve bought loads of Sony Vaio’s for where I work and never had a problem with them.
When you say a PC I assume you mean something Windows based?
If you want to run a copy of Linux on it you may want to check the hardware on the machine a bit more carefully for driver compatibility/availabilty but apart from that, get yourself something with minimal “value added” software bundles, maximum memory and maximum speed.
most of the bundled software you get with machines IMO is crap - i want to put on my own software - I want to buy good solid hardware, nothing more.
Acer makes an ok middle of the road laptop. We buy them for a sales reps. And they hardly complain. Or you could go the HP route or Toshiba. Those have been my favorites.
Toshiba: Satellite, Tecra
IBM (Lenovo): Thinkpad
The thinkpads are very durable, and you can pretty much get whatever you want on them.
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
attempting to compare apples to apples …
I’m not looking to go Apple.[/quote]
Make up your mind!
Oh yeah, gotta be at least one smart ass on every thread.
I’ve been working as an IT tech for about 2-3 years now. In my opinion, the best and most durable business laptops are the Lenovo Thinkpads and Dell Latitudes.
I have a Thinkpad that I run as an FTP server and a Latitude D620 that’s my main machine.
Thinkpads are the most durable laptops I’ve ever seen - I just can’t break them.
The Latitude is good, I’ve dropped it a few times onto the hard floor in my apartment and it didn’t faze it.
The only thing I don’t like about the machine is issues with the hinges - they come loose frequently and I have to tighten them. Also, the left hinge actually wore through the metal bracket from opening and closing the lid - one day it just snapped off, and was the thickness of pop can aluminum. I’ve a feeling it’s an issue with my particular machine only, though.
Over all, I like both of them.
My mother has an HP notebook, and it does give her issues occasionally. Also, the screen is so awkwardly hinged it drives me nuts, so I personally avoid them.
Your budget is the biggest factor though.
Bottom line, whats your budget? Its hard to say “this is what you need” When we don’t know how much you will spend.
Thank you very much everyone - even the smartasses 
Budget? I’d pay 1500 or so if I was absolutely confident in my purchase. I have a sony desktop PC at home and I like their products (I also have sony dvd camcorder, digital camera, and recorder) and I like the idea of the compatability among my different aforementioned products, but I’ve heard from a few tech types at the stores that their products are overpriced. I don’t want to spend 1500 for something I can buy for 900.
So, that is the budget. My main use will be small business related; brochures, web page creation, internet browsing, word, excel, etc.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Thank you very much everyone - even the smartasses Budget? I’d pay 1500 or so if I was absolutely confident in my purchase. I have a sony desktop PC at home and I like their products (I also have sony dvd camcorder, digital camera, and recorder) and I like the idea of the compatability among my different aforementioned products, but I’ve heard from a few tech types at the stores that their products are overpriced. I don’t want to spend 1500 for something I can buy for 900.
So, that is the budget. My main use will be small business related; brochures, web page creation, internet browsing, word, excel, etc.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Thinkpads are the gold standard. Ridiculously durable, rarely hang…can’t go wrong with the Z-series there (under 900 dollrs)