Now that My computer is DEAD.....

+1 recommendation for ASUS - I'm on a Zenbook right now and it's a thorougly nice machine, the only (slight) downside is the weak-ish sound. Oh and the trackpad is horrible, but who uses those instead of a proper mouse anyways?

FWIW: Before that I had a MSI gaming notebook (GX710), which was decent. I had to repair it once though - resolder the flaky power connector, easily done. And before that, a Sony Vaio (don't remember the exact model) - built like a tank, but ran rather slow and very hot (Intel Celeron... bad enough to put me off Intel CPUs for a couple years); no other major issues apart from that.

 

I have had had almost 10 HP/Compaqs, some of the problems are understandable like the buggy chip set of my Socket 423 unit but most of the ones I kept died from major motherboard failures. I do have to admit that their workstations are good. I'd stay away from anything that screams BUDGET.

That was probably a Pentium 4 based Celeron, the NetBurst architecture was dumped for a reason, they went back to an updated P6 architecture because of that (hence the original Intel Core CPU)

 

Windows Update is pointless to me because all it can do is play catch-up. As long as there's a fraction of a percent of insecurity within an OS, it is just as vulnerable as it's ever been.

This is why I don't rely on or expect it to secure my OS for me. Call me presumptuous, call my opinion "horrible advice" all you want.. I haven't had a virus on any of my computers since 2008. (and that's only thanks to a friend downloading torrents on my computer when I was at work). All the while, most of the infected PCs I've fixed for other people in these past 6 years had Automatic Updates enabled. I find it too insufficient at doing it's job to take up the few MB that it usually does. On the other hand, if I was repairing someone else's computer, I would never think of disabling it altogether.

If anything, I want to encounter a few odd glitches and viruses on one my computers because I haven't in so long. I find them fun to sort and tear out by the roots. The more challenging, the more enticing. Fix and tailor as relevant.

I'll continue to use Windows XP almost everyday until my 9-year old Thinkpad finally dies. Otherwise, I have 7 Ultimate x64 on my gaming rig (just got my first SSD a handful of weeks ago.. it's excellent) and 8.1 on a company Surface Pro. With computers, I really don't care what it is or what it's running, I just like to have fun. Hell, give me a Pentium Pro-class workstation running Windows NT 4 and I'll have even more fun.

 

*Slow Clap*

 

This is the thing, we both have our sample sizes and yet have achieved different results, therefore it proves there's really no point in asking anyone for advice for these sorts of things.

In which case I'd recommend that GoH just compares warranty and repairability really.

Graphics chips aside, most laptops will last a very very long time if they are looked after correctly i.e. no stress on the screen hinges or power socket, never use them on your lap if the vents are on the bottom, keep them free from dust and clean them internally at least once every six months, and no sudden jolting or throwing around when active to prevent screwing the HDD up.

 

They were from 2011/2012.

We have some old computers from 2004 in our robotics lab, and they still work fine without any repairs.
Sadly, these are getting replaced by newer ones (i hope the quality is still the same).

 

Exactly. It's more helpful to give models that have known issues, not brand. Everyone's had their issues with specific models, apple included.

 

I can vouch for Asus on the customer support/repair department.

My brand new laptop screen broke around 4 months after purchase, I suspect someone somehow stomped on it by accident on a beerful night. Sent it to Asus: they received it, repaired it and sent it back the same day. Even-though it was obviously crushed, they flagged it as "screen not working properly". I also had opened it for a hdd -> ssd change, and as long as I sent the laptop with the original drive back in they had no issue with it (not always the case for ultrabooks).

Gotta like when a company isn't trying as hard as it can to avoid free service!

Zenbooks are awesome, but a bit flimsy in compression.

 

Dell business line laptop(latitude/precision + pro support warranty.

I can pick up the phone 24/7 and talk to an American. No, not an American with an Indian accent, but someone I can understand.

Next business day warranty/repairs/etc.

I had a precesion m6600. I caried it with me every day for 3 years. After 3 years the video card took a crap and dell replaced it with a NEW m6800, no questions asked.


I would not buy a dell consumer/alienware laptop...