6MT.net Infiniti G35/G37/GTR Community

Dizz · 05-24-2005, 01:07 PM

I want to get the wife a new notebook as a wedding gift.
It's been awhile since my tech days.

I was thinking the Toshiba R200 but the cd drive is external. I was also considering Dell but I've had bad experiences with their desktops.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

**GZire** · 05-24-2005, 01:20 PM

Toshiba - in general pretty stable.
Dell - no experience with their laptops, but good with their half tower.
IBM - overpriced.
Gateway - NO.

I'd say look into the Toshiba laptops.

Phelan · 05-24-2005, 01:32 PM

I've got a Dell Latitude C840, other than the weight I'm quite happy with it.

When I was a bench tech worked on a lot of various Latitude and Inspiron models and excepting the bottom of the barrel $399 special units they were all good. Didn't have to do much hardware trouble shooting though, mainly software. Coworker who did most of the hardware tickets on them and on the IBMs we got last year found the Dells to be easier to work on as they're more modular.

On support...its a mixed bag. I've heard awful things about their consumer support; but have had excellent dealings with their enterprise support on server issues.

Dizz · 05-24-2005, 02:01 PM

Yeah, I've had good experiences with Tosh, but that was when I was at my old company getting them for free.

I found a deal on a 9300 inspiron, it's supposedly Dell's flagship notebook.

The deal starts tomorrow at 8am cst. $750 off.
PM me if you guys are interested.

partyman66 · 05-24-2005, 02:18 PM

How did you find out about deals from Dell that haven't taken effect yet?

I like to try to keep up on their deals, but they always start on a Wednesday.... and I haven't noticed any way of seeing what's coming down the pipe until it gets here.

Navy ECMO · 05-24-2005, 03:00 PM

I have a big honkin' 17" widescreen Toshiba and love it. I haven't had a single problem with it in the year that I've owned it. It's heavy, but that's to be expected from a 17" and I don't travel with it on a regular basis anyway.

uhohNumber2brb · 05-24-2005, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizz

Yeah, I've had good experiences with Tosh, but that was when I was at my old company getting them for free.

I found a deal on a 9300 inspiron, it's supposedly Dell's flagship notebook.

The deal starts tomorrow at 8am cst. $750 off.
PM me if you guys are interested.

Hey...what's up...fellow SD'er.....

Ru_G36c · 05-24-2005, 04:00 PM

I have a toshiba satellite and i love it. Not a single problem with it since I got it. Someone told me toshiba recently started marketing a new lithium battery that doesn't lose capacity with time (at least not as much as others). Dell has great customer support but the monitors on the laptops are crapola. Friend has one for about 3 years now and has had to send it back for repairs 5 times now and he doesn't mistreat the thing. IBM is the way to go if you have the extra $$, otherwise I'd go with Toshiba

Phelan · 05-24-2005, 04:16 PM

As far as the deals on the Dells, go here.

Dizz · 05-24-2005, 04:32 PM

uhoh- I'm in OC, but what's up anyways.

Ru, I'm thinking Toshiba because that Dell deal is dead. The 15k pc's they had allocated for the deal is gone.

My main priority is speed, I really don't care for portability too much(no desktop though).

Tosh and Sony are in the running right now.

jl9618 · 05-24-2005, 05:27 PM

I've got a toshiba notebook that I've had for about 2 years now. No complaints from me.

DOHCtor Dan · 05-24-2005, 06:23 PM

Dizz · 05-24-2005, 06:37 PM

Ok Kurt, you said stay away from Gateway, what about this?
Gateway's M675X laptop
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Gateway-M675X.htm

Fuck you Dan.

**GZire** · 05-24-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizz

Ok Kurt, you said stay away from Gateway, what about this?
Gateway's M675X laptop
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Gateway-M675X.htm

Fuck you Dan.

Stay away from Gateway.

I was going to buy one......strike that, I bought a computer from them. They shipped the wrong monitor, wrong keyboard, wrong everything. Couldn't get a hold of anyone to change it and when I finally did they didn't have the brain power to keep up. Tried for two weeks to get it right and they were absolutely pathetic. I sent that SOB back to the dumbasses (they probably fupped my software requirements too).

The absolute worst customer, or actually non-customer service I have ever dealt with. If they can't get the order right what happens when they need to help you out on the tech side? Just not worth dealing with those bozos.

To make it worse I have heard of this same thing happening to others down here. One order to one of my mom's school teacher friends.......order screwed up (mom's friend had heard of others having problems too).

I've been using a Toshiba laptop for work for several years. I like it, but the drive could stand to be a bit quicker.

I suppose if you can fuss with your own computer then Gateway might be worth dealing with. Unfortunately if they mess your order up, you can't run out and beat them up (I tried so if they have a designated beating dummy give him a couple false cracks for me).

Good luck.

Navy ECMO · 05-24-2005, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizz

Tosh and Sony are in the running right now.

The problem with Sony is that they are so proprietary. They are only really compatible with other sony products. So if you already have a sony digicam, video cam, mp3 player, and a bunch of memory sticks you're fine. Otherwise I've heard it can be a real headache trying to get other stuff to work.