Laptop User Poll

[phyncke]

I am looking into buying a new laptop and thought I would poll my flist to see what people are using and what kind of luck they are having with their laptops. If you are not using a laptop, please do not fill out this survey. Feel free to comment if you have specific information about a brand and model of laptop or would like to add some commentary to your survey answer. I love surveys and gathering data (info!). Thank you for your help!


[Poll #1750107]

Comments

[ceitfianna]

I've got a HP pavilion laptop that I bought almost two years ago and while its good, its not what I ideal for me. I bought it before I realized I was going to grad school so while the 17 inch screen is nice, its been cumbersome for just carrying around.

Also since about October of last year, the screens' been acting up so sometimes I need to change the angle or mess with it to make it work. This is apparently a well known problem with HPs.

Since I'm about to graduate, I'm going to use my student discount to get a Mac laptop as I've wanted them for ages but they're pricey and this is a great chance for one. I'll probably keep my old one around as more of a desktop one as it works.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I am considering a Mac but you have to pay a lot to get anything for a mac memory and RAM wise. That is a bummer. I am considering one tho as I get the educator's discount as well.

Hmm.

[colonoscarpeay.livejournal.com]

I've had this laptop since Oct last year. I had a Dell before this one and was not happy with it at all. I had enough trouble out of it that I had to go back to my desktop. When I got this one I was looking for an HP, but took this one for a test drive and immediately fell in love. I have had not problems with it at all, so far (knock on wood) and would definitely recommend it.

It has a CD/DVD burner. Plays BluRay DVDs and CDs. It has an HD widescreen (resolution is 1366x768). I love watching movies on it. It's so much easier to make graphics on, as well.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I want a big screen laptop for the graphics etc. I am thinking on a 17 inch one. Hmm.

[colonoscarpeay.livejournal.com]

I think mine is only 15.6 inches, but anything bigger gives me a headache. My uncle uses his 27 inch tv as a monitor for his. That sucker is huge and my eyes go haywire on it. *facepalm* LOL

[stephmariemarsh.livejournal.com]

we have a laptop, it's actually Dave's which he has for his business so I actually can't fill out the poll saying I have a laptop cause I don't. The one I did have it died years ago and I never got around to buying a new one, just stuck with the desktop but with traveling lately I'm thinking I should get one also. A laptop would def come in handy! HP is a good brand, he has a HP Elitebook and he really likes it.

I have a friend who raves about her dell laptop although people say they suck, she says she's never had any trouble with it.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

My friend's Dell had the HD go on her right after they got it. But other people have good luck with those. I think it depends on that.

If you travel, a laptop is the thing to get. Then you don't have to use other people's computers etc.

[nienna-weeper.livejournal.com]

The only trouble we've had with ours has been people caused. Other than that, I adore my Acer!

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I am looking at the Acer Aspire as it has all the specs I need. Core i5 and just what I wants! :)

[minuial_nuwing]

This is my third Dell laptop. The first was an early model Inspiron, and that thing was a rock - lasted for years and no trouble at all until, one day, it just DIED. Completely dead.

The last one was an Inspiron running Vista, and it was something on a hassle - hard drive problems, memory vanishing and reappearing, etc.

The XPS is awesome.

**hugs**

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your FB. I have heard mixed reviews about the Dells. Not sure on those but the Dell Outlet has great pricing. My friend's laptop hard drive died and it was a Dell.

Hmm.

[weepingnaiad.livejournal.com]

We actually have three laptops, two HPs (one of which has 'survived' being dropped in a seriously major way - the harddrive crashed, but it is fine) and a Gateway.

My daughter's PC is the Gateway and it overheats, so we've had to buy her one of those cooler mats (but I think ANY laptop is better with one and will live longer using one).

Hubby's (the one that was dropped) is still going strong, but it's getting slow-ish and it has that huge 17" screen, which makes it heavy and hard to find a backpack to fit it.

If I was going to buy one for myself, I'd look into one of the 13" superlight ones that doesn't have an internal CD drive. I get tired lugging mine around (and it goes with me everywhere because of work and being oncall 24x7x365). I'd add an external CD/DVD drive, but for most of what I use the laptop for (writing and surfing) the lighter weight and longer battery life would be ideal.

And, I'm not talking a Netbook as most of those still have performance issues (but that's me talking and I'm a computer programmer/geek, most folks are not bothered by the things that I am).

Hope that helps!

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I am looking at a 17 inch screen laptop, Acer thing. I like the specs on that one. I hardly ever use a lappy on the battery but can see how a longer battery would be good. Hmm.

[weepingnaiad.livejournal.com]

If you don't have to lug it everywhere, the 17" screen is sweet and usually comes with a separate number pad (very useful for games and odd editors and such).

One of our desktops is an Acer and I've always been pleased with it.

Good luck!

[punkinelf.livejournal.com]

Third MAC: 1st lasted 8 years, 2nd: 5 years this one, on its 3rd year

Love MAC

[punkinelf.livejournal.com]

My MAC has a 17" screen

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I want a laptop with a 17 inch screen. Looking at those.

[jengeree.livejournal.com]

I love my laptop. I used to do graphics on it, til I quit those. And I play my World of Warcraft. The laptop keeps us great with it. Wish I had a bit more RAM, but I am told I can't add anymore. I have had mine about 2 years.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I am looking at 4 GIGS of RAM on the new one. That will be great.

[laurahonest.livejournal.com]

I had an HP laptop that had no problems for me, i mostly used it on my desk though so i could keep a fan on it because they do tend to overheat. I sold it to my sister because she needed one for college and I have two desktops so it wasn't totally necessary to keep it but I do miss it for the portability. I would definitely get a laptop cooling fan and a padded case to carry it in if you do get one, they are worth the money to keep the laptop safe and cool!

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I got a thing for my laptop - extra fan that I put under the lap top to keep it cooler. It is a flat fan thing that you rest the laptop on. I have a laptop now - a Gateway that I had to basically rebuild so I am not getting another one of those. But I do have an external fan for my laptop that is great.

One of these:
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Lightweight-Laptop-Cooler-NBCOOLERLE/dp/B0011VCOYW

I love the one I have.

[portus.livejournal.com]

I'm looking for a laptop also, so I'll share my current thoughts.

I have a 5/6yr old Dell Inspiron. I bought the 15.4inch screen as I thought I'd need it at uni and didn't have a separate monitor. It's a pain in the butt to lug around (with battery it weights 4+kg) - when they quote the weight they do so without the battery normally. But it's good for graphics at a desk. Wouldn't get any smaller screen size unless I had a separate monitor. I had a few problems with my hard drive and motherboard, but that was covered under warranty. Don't know what the customer service in the US is like, but Dell here are truly beyond bad. Still, I used mine for average 12-14hrs for five days a week for five years, so I can't complain too badly. I'm looking at the new Dells, though they feel a little plasticy to me. Oh, and Dell batteries don't seem to last all that long (average a year or two). My uni loan laptop is also a newer Dell, and it's just as good and just as beaten up. :)

The Acer timeline or aspire range look really good and feel a little more solid. Only problem is trying to find one with a good graphics card for graphics.

Other than a MacBook Pro (never going to happen unless I start earning mega bucks so I can afford all the software and converters to go with it...), the HP Envy range looks promising. Still a little pricey though. At least over here.

Don't know whether that helps you, but I thought I'd stick in my two pennies. :)

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I am looking at the Acer Aspire as that has the core i5 with all the specs I want (memory and RAM) at my price point. It also has not given people in my survey any issues. I would also love a mac but I cannot afford one and the memory for dollar is really bad on that. You don't get much and I want a really big HD.

Your comment did really help and I am thinking along the same lines. I found the survey here really helpful to see what people are getting and have had good luck with. Feel free to use that if you want.

My friend also had a crash with a Dell and my Dad just crashed with a Dell so I am not going to get one of those, even with their outlet pricing.

Thanks for your comment!