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When my 8 year old Vaio goes into the computer shop, the owner always comments on the high quality of the screen and says nowadays the Vaio screens are rubbish.
Graham, how is your foot?
Noodle-Pulp
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Samsung or Alienware FTW
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The latest Samsung laptop (can't remember the model #) has had some very good write up's.
Some more laptop reviews. All Laptop Reviews - Page 1 of 25 - Latest Reviews of Laptops at CNET UK
Some more laptop reviews. All Laptop Reviews - Page 1 of 25 - Latest Reviews of Laptops at CNET UK
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I think it depends on the model and where you buy it, I suspect that both brands if purchased at PC world are made with inferior parts.
I have a Vaio that I have had since 2002 and its a tad slow but still works and is fine for my parents to use.
I personally think that Toshiba Satellites represent the best balance between value for money and reliability. I often buy at John Lewis as they give a 2 year warranty.
I have a Vaio that I have had since 2002 and its a tad slow but still works and is fine for my parents to use.
I personally think that Toshiba Satellites represent the best balance between value for money and reliability. I often buy at John Lewis as they give a 2 year warranty.
crockers
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When my 8 year old Vaio goes into the computer shop, the owner always comments on the high quality of the screen and says nowadays the Vaio screens are rubbish.
Graham, how is your foot?
Pins come out in two weeks. Only plus is free meds on NHS.
Hope to be driving again in 6 weeks. SWMBO is running car once a week or so. But not in snow. Lol.
OP
OP
reflexboy
MB Enthusiast
Well, thanks for all your replies. It seems there are a lot of mixed feelings as to what is 'best', so I suppose it will be a bit of a gamble really. Happy New Year to you all.
grober
MB Master
DELL definitely have the backup. The volume they sell to government organisations demands this. The days of Sony being at the technological forefront are gone. They often have electronic idiosyncrasies which makes then difficult to repair and are often simply assemblers of components sourced externally and their quality has suffered. I have been very impressed with the build quality of recent Samsung laptops like another poster. The one comment I would make is that unless you need "ultimate portability" steer clear of the ultra thin designs which may contain the slot feed type dvd drives. Get a slightly thicker/heavier unit with a better tech spec for the same money. I would go with Dell.
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I like the look of this machine at £399.00 (was £599.00).
If it had a 17" screen like the one I have, I'd have bought it already.
If it had a 17" screen like the one I have, I'd have bought it already.
I've had five personal laptops over the last ~ 10 years approx.
Two Samsungs, one Toshiba, one IBM and a current HP.
IMHO - some interesting points to note:
Laptops have got much, much cheaper over the years. Average laptops were always around £1k+ 'back in the day', where as a good machine can be bought for under £500 now
Generally, they seem more reliable and better built than they used to be. Most aren't designed to last forever - but some more expensive 'pro' machines will last for a great deal longer than the high-street models. Eg, Old-school IBM thinkpads - almost unburstable and most parts readily available.
If you're using them daily, they're nearly worn out after 2-3 years. Maybe if you're only using for occasional use they'll last longer, but I tend to find that they're getting tired all over by a couple of years - keyboard, touch pad, battery life, hinges for the screen, charging sockets - that sort of thing.
So - I think the best way is to not spend too much OTT on a machine. £4/5/600, and look to replace it after a couple of years. You'll never have a really ancient machine this way (eg newer operating system, newer features) and even if it lasted just two years it won't have cost any more than £1/day!
Out of the brands that I have had:
Both Samsungs had faults with the charging socket breaking off the PCB inside after about 18 months (must have been a design fault).
The Toshiba was okay but used to overheat and shut down without warning - eventually died when the screen broke.
The IBM was very, very good. The best laptop I've owned (T43 series Thinkpad). Much more durable than the other machines (but it was the most expensive). Came with a 3-year warranty - and lasted just over 3 years before an intermittent fault with the hard drive/controller caused it to not recognise the HD on occasions. Still felt like a very solid machine and the battery etc was still very good even after such a long time.
Current machine is okay (HP/Compaq 6710b) - had it about 18 months or so now, but is starting to get a little tired - battery doesn't last quite as long as it did when new, and it doesn't always shut down when you close the lid (iffy switch) but it was the cheapest of all the laptops I've bought and certainly one of the better ones!
So - I reckon most machines these days will be okay. Sony don't have the best reputation for reliability/service/support but they do look nice
I'd not spend a fortune and understand from day 1 that they're not meant to last forever. Get a couple of years out of it and move onto another machine before it breaks!!
Will
Two Samsungs, one Toshiba, one IBM and a current HP.
IMHO - some interesting points to note:
Laptops have got much, much cheaper over the years. Average laptops were always around £1k+ 'back in the day', where as a good machine can be bought for under £500 now
Generally, they seem more reliable and better built than they used to be. Most aren't designed to last forever - but some more expensive 'pro' machines will last for a great deal longer than the high-street models. Eg, Old-school IBM thinkpads - almost unburstable and most parts readily available.
If you're using them daily, they're nearly worn out after 2-3 years. Maybe if you're only using for occasional use they'll last longer, but I tend to find that they're getting tired all over by a couple of years - keyboard, touch pad, battery life, hinges for the screen, charging sockets - that sort of thing.
So - I think the best way is to not spend too much OTT on a machine. £4/5/600, and look to replace it after a couple of years. You'll never have a really ancient machine this way (eg newer operating system, newer features) and even if it lasted just two years it won't have cost any more than £1/day!
Out of the brands that I have had:
Both Samsungs had faults with the charging socket breaking off the PCB inside after about 18 months (must have been a design fault).
The Toshiba was okay but used to overheat and shut down without warning - eventually died when the screen broke.
The IBM was very, very good. The best laptop I've owned (T43 series Thinkpad). Much more durable than the other machines (but it was the most expensive). Came with a 3-year warranty - and lasted just over 3 years before an intermittent fault with the hard drive/controller caused it to not recognise the HD on occasions. Still felt like a very solid machine and the battery etc was still very good even after such a long time.
Current machine is okay (HP/Compaq 6710b) - had it about 18 months or so now, but is starting to get a little tired - battery doesn't last quite as long as it did when new, and it doesn't always shut down when you close the lid (iffy switch) but it was the cheapest of all the laptops I've bought and certainly one of the better ones!
So - I reckon most machines these days will be okay. Sony don't have the best reputation for reliability/service/support but they do look nice
I'd not spend a fortune and understand from day 1 that they're not meant to last forever. Get a couple of years out of it and move onto another machine before it breaks!!
Will
Dell make godawful products - and as one of their major suppliers, I know that it's down to the fact that they cut every possible penny out of the supply chain and manufacturing process - in a bad way.
I've thrown away more Dell laptops than I care to remember. They are quite simply, generic plastic crap with no redeeming features, built by the lowest bidder.
It all depends on whether you have a tight budget or not. If you do, then get an Asus. If you don't then get a Mac If you ever do need to call Mac tech support (which is unlikely) then at least you'll get to talk to humans who have a good idea how to fix your issue.
I've thrown away more Dell laptops than I care to remember. They are quite simply, generic plastic crap with no redeeming features, built by the lowest bidder.
It all depends on whether you have a tight budget or not. If you do, then get an Asus. If you don't then get a Mac
If you ever do need to call Mac tech support (which is unlikely) then at least you'll get to talk to humans who have a good idea how to fix your issue.
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OP
reflexboy
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Excellent information Will-Thank you and Happy Christmas.
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Dell make godawful products - and as one of their major suppliers, I know that it's down to the fact that they cut every possible penny out of the supply chain and manufacturing process - in a bad way.
I've thrown away more Dell laptops than I care to remember. They are quite simply, generic plastic crap with no redeeming features, built by the lowest bidder.
It all depends on whether you have a tight budget or not. If you do, then get an Asus. If you don't then get a Mac
The DELL machine I had was manufactured in Poland.
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I'm typing on a 2002 VAIO right now. I would consider another - I'm getting close to replacing it - and it will most likely be a DELL simply because SONY laptops are quite pricey when comparing spec like for like.
The screen quality was superb back in 2002, but now the bob basic DELL Inspiron sat 12 inches to the left of me has a superb screen, but isn't great when viewed from an oblique angle.
I bought the DELL Inspiron for a friend and I'm installing some software on it today - first Windows 7 machine I've used in anger. Both the machine and Windows 7 seem good so far.
When buying for friends and relatives - or suggesting for them to buy - I always suggest DELL. No, they're not the best machines in the world, but the quality
rice ratio is about as good as gets.
The screen quality was superb back in 2002, but now the bob basic DELL Inspiron sat 12 inches to the left of me has a superb screen, but isn't great when viewed from an oblique angle.
I bought the DELL Inspiron for a friend and I'm installing some software on it today - first Windows 7 machine I've used in anger. Both the machine and Windows 7 seem good so far.
When buying for friends and relatives - or suggesting for them to buy - I always suggest DELL. No, they're not the best machines in the world, but the quality
rice ratio is about as good as gets.
Gawdi
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I'm a dell fan - I have a 2 yr old XPS which has been great. I do not believe in thse extended warrenties etc... If a machine is going to go wrong, then it will be in the first year...
That said, my Dell XPS developed a problem last November, where the graphics chip on the main processor card had blown.. I knew this becasue I looked the symptoms up on the internet... My pc was out of its 12 months warrenty.. so I was not pleased...
That said, when I finally got through to the right ppl at Dell, an engineer was on my doorstep within 24 hrs with a new card, fitted it within an hour, gave my machine a check up and tweeked a couple of things... all FOC..
Thats why ppl buy Dell..
Incidently engineer said XPS is definately way to go if you have the money.. they only use the best components and it has a different service level too (i phoned the xps service line)..
For run of th mill stuff he recommended Acer.. which I bought my daughter for xmas.. and she was delighted with it
That said, my Dell XPS developed a problem last November, where the graphics chip on the main processor card had blown.. I knew this becasue I looked the symptoms up on the internet... My pc was out of its 12 months warrenty.. so I was not pleased...
That said, when I finally got through to the right ppl at Dell, an engineer was on my doorstep within 24 hrs with a new card, fitted it within an hour, gave my machine a check up and tweeked a couple of things... all FOC..
Thats why ppl buy Dell..
Incidently engineer said XPS is definately way to go if you have the money.. they only use the best components and it has a different service level too (i phoned the xps service line)..
For run of th mill stuff he recommended Acer.. which I bought my daughter for xmas.. and she was delighted with it
Dell laptops are well designed and thought of.
I started with Compaq, Toshiba and Sony, the cursor keeps jumping due to the poor soft keyboard I lost counts how many times I have to go back to Currys to exhange it I ended up with a Dell. I became a Dell Certified Systems Expert(DCSE). They have more high tech than Compaq and Sony like hot swap power supply, memory and hard disk.
To reduce cost and to increase profitability, they are beginning to use cheaper parts. When I look at Dell older machines I am amazed how well built their machines are and when I look at their new machines the parts are getting cheaper and cheaper. Their supports are excellent if you are looking for drivers download but they don't pay their field engineer well just £20 per closed call and requested their field engineer to foot the petrol bill no matter how far they have to go to collect the parts from the depot and then to the customers. They are very strict on customer support.
I started with Compaq, Toshiba and Sony, the cursor keeps jumping due to the poor soft keyboard I lost counts how many times I have to go back to Currys to exhange it I ended up with a Dell. I became a Dell Certified Systems Expert(DCSE). They have more high tech than Compaq and Sony like hot swap power supply, memory and hard disk.
To reduce cost and to increase profitability, they are beginning to use cheaper parts. When I look at Dell older machines I am amazed how well built their machines are and when I look at their new machines the parts are getting cheaper and cheaper. Their supports are excellent if you are looking for drivers download but they don't pay their field engineer well just £20 per closed call and requested their field engineer to foot the petrol bill no matter how far they have to go to collect the parts from the depot and then to the customers. They are very strict on customer support.
