Laptop Computer Questions

[Steve St.Laurent]

Keep in mind that a laptop over it's lifespan will cost you approximately 3x what an equivalent desktop would. That is the ballpark I've told my clients for years and has been proven out time and time again. This is partially because of initial purchase cost but is also due to lack of upgradability, laptops live a MUCH harder life than desktops, etc. Do evaluate your needs well because as said above you are pretty much stuck with what you bought initially (except for RAM). I HIGHLY suggest getting the 3 yr warranty as said above. I also suggest getting an accident replacement warranty if it's available. Crack one LCD screen and your buying a new laptop (screen replacements cost pretty much what a new laptop does). I've used laptops almost exclusively for about 7 years now. I like the ability to take my work with me wherever I go, being able to work at my kitchen table if I want to spread out, in my recliner if I want to relax, go out in the back yard and work out there when the weathers nice, etc. I do pay for that flexibility. I and my clients have had great service out of Compaq laptops. My last 3 laptops have been Compaqs and of those 3 only one of them has had to go back for service because of a cracked case. I'm currently using a desktop replacement laptop (Presario X6000) which has a high res 17" wide screen display and love it. I don't take it out of the house often and when I do I don't like the weight (laptop itself weighs almost 11 lbs and in the case with accessories I'd guess it's up around 20 lbs). I'll be picking up another laptop soon for when I'm traveling that will be a very lightweight small model.

 

[SGolden]

Ive had a Dell Inspiron 8100 and 5100, never had any major problems, my AC Adapter went out last Wednesday and by Sat. Dell had a new one sitting on my door step. Definately get the extended next day warrenty service, Just in case, its like 300 for four yrs or something like that. I wouldnt by anything other than Dell right now.

 

[Byershome]

"Keep in mind that a laptop over it's lifespan will cost you approximately 3x what an equivalent desktop would. "



I would debate that issue depending on what you use it for. My 6 year old Gateway was still getting the job done (with a 433 mhz Celeron that was only average at the time it was bought) with only a memory upgrade that cost less than 100 bucks. Most people don't need upgrades so that really does not factor in. I built a desktop for a friend years ago and he used it for at least 5 years. By the time he was ready to upgrade, it was time for a whole new computer anyways. Now granted if you use it for anything that is multimedia intensive you will have to replace it more often and it will then cost more to operate but I think that is the exception not the rule. I find most people replace the laptops more out of habit and wanting something new rather than actually needing the increased performance.



Abuse is probably another issue because you buy the thing so you can use it anywhere and that can easily lead to damage but this is a cost savings as well if you increase productivity rather than carrying two and a half arms full of desktop everywhere. :-laf

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I didn't say there weren't advantages - there are, I use laptops after all. I wasn't talking about abuse either, fact is that a laptop that gets carried around even if extreme care is taken is going to have more wear and tear on it than a desktop that sits in one spot for 3 years. My estimate of 3x the cost over the lifespan has been proven time and time again over the last 12 years working with clients with ~1100 desktops and at least 250 laptops. I've had quite a few clients that didn't believe me but 3 years down the road they looked at it and I was proven correct. I had one client that bought laptops for all of their "management" staff and found that 70% of them never left their desks and saw the 3x cost that I had told them they would. When those were replaced they were replaced with desktops and only the people that actually used them as laptops got em. If your usage is simply getting on the internet and very basic computing and you aren't using your laptop on the road then obviously your going to get much more life out it. For most people your looking at replacement approximately every 3 years. When your replacing a desktop you don't replace the screen every time (usually), you don't have to buy new power supplies, extra batteries, cases, etc.

 

[E7mack96]

I vote for dell too. Their support is second to none.



We use a Inspiron 8500 laptop, and i just love it. Never had a lick of trouble.



We just bought a 1600n printer from dell in april. Its adf (auto Doc Feeder)has not worked right since new. I called dell thursday afternoon at 4pm. They had a new one at my door friday about 12 noon. Un frickin believeably quick service.



Just my thoughts.



E7

 

[BRobertson]

It's amazing how peoples experiences with service from DELL differ.

We have a Dell 8100 Inspiron that has been trouble since we got it, including a trip back to Dell that costs $500, all because of a bad charger design.

My folks had a huge battle with them when their UPS device did not protect their PC in a thunder storm. The whole package was purchased from DELL. It took several months of effort and my sisters intervention to get it taken care of.

I will NEVER by DELL again!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Hate to break it to you but there isn't a UPS or surge suppressor in existence that will protect your PC from a direct lightning strike. The vast majority of UPS's are very poor at that as a matter of fact. Any UPS that costs under $1000 is a switching type UPS which means that it runs on line power until there is a power event and then it switches over to the battery. Online UPS's which cost significantly more are powering your PC off of the battery at all times and are constantly charging the battery. That style is better at isolating your machine but in a direct lightning strike it still may not protect you. Lightning strikes are in the millions of volts and can jump across metal contacts feet apart nevermind any switch that is inside of a small box. I had a PC fry one time when I had it completely unplugged from the wall but the phone line was still plugged into the modem - the lightning came through the phone line, then the modem, and fried the PC.

 

[BRobertson]

I realize that a direct strike will take almost anything out Steve, however the problem was simply a powersurge/brown out. The package was pitched to them( at a kiosk in a Nashville mall by Dell associates) as being the answer to their needs. They (in their 80yrs old lack of knowledge of computer matters) trusted the young fellows. We all know that young folks are born with a computer under their arm!!!!

It was the principal of the thing that bothered us, and eventually it was taken care of.

By the way, I have a huge amount of respect for lightning, I used to chase lightning storms for a living, in an airplane, and map fires that resulted from them.

Bob