Best deal on laptops?

[Ybom]

Local classifieds are your best bet. I've done extensive searches for cheap laptops that have any power whatsoever to them online and it just doesn't get much better than Dell.

A good site I like to use is //www.pricewatch.com if I'm looking for really really cheap prices.

[Nick]

[8D] Hi PeacefulWarrior,

Last year I bought a new IBM laptop from PC Mall. I thought that the price was right and the delivery was super fast.

Their website link is:

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/default.asp?consumer_type=1&override=true&ReturnRate=ReturnRate_Banner

All the best,

[Links Shadow]

I bought mine direct from IBM it isn't the cheapest way but you can customize it and get exactly what you want.  I don't like Dell.  I have know to many people that have had problems with customer support and just the overall quality of the computers.  Apparently they use really cheap parts at least for the mother boards the most important part.  I know someone that went through 8 in 2 months time and each time it would take at least 3 days before someone would come out and fix it.  They weren't pushing there computer either they were using it for school work (typing up papers and browsing the internet).  Stay away from Dell.

[James S]

PW,
I'd have to second what Links Shadow has said. IBM do have a good supply of 2nd hand gear. These are typically units that have come off lease where the customer has leased their equipment directly from IBM. Currently IBM have some of the best laptops on the market.

I know everyone has their favourite brands, but the company I work for, which supplies computer systems to car dealerships, over the years has supplied to our customers Dells, Acers, Toshibas, Compaqs and IBMs. We've now gone completely IBM as in recent times we've found their overall quality, reliability and service to be ahead of the rest.

Dells would probably have to be the next best laptop on the market, but their after sales service is not as good as IBM's

Oh, by the way - a word of warning....
Most laptops produced in the last 5 or so years use Lithium Ion batteries. These batteries have only a 4-5 year lifespan and they cant be reconditioned. They're designed to wear out for environmental reasons - disposing of fully active lithium is quite hazardous. Depending on the age of the laptop you're planning to buy, do yourself a favour and put aside about another $100 for a new battery. There's a good chance you'll be needing it.

Good hunting,
James.

[Nick]

By the way, the first IBM laptop I bought was in 1998. A few years ago my wife and I gave it to her daughter who is in college. It is still running fine!

Back then a systems engineer steered me to IBM as a "rock solid laptop". He was right, and based on the experience with that first IBM laptop, I bought my current one, which I am quite satisfied with.

So I thought I would add this, as James and Links also had good things to say about IBM. []

All the best,

[kiauma]

Wow, I had never considered IBM laptops.  I will have to try them out.

Steer clear of HP laptops.  I worked for a company that dealt with them and the desktops.  True Story:  We actually had an irate customer who shipped his back to us in a trash can!  [xx(]

Also on topic:
http://www.onion.com/4004/opinion2.html

[Ybom]

Oh yes! Also steer way way clear of Toshiba or Panasonic laptops! Toshiba's Tecra line around my office, even though about 1/2 do still work, would be shipped back in a trash can if we did send them back. The Panasonics are nice looking, sorta (we have several "Toughbooks" which tend to break faster than anything else, gather heat like it's cool, and they're slower than slow!)

Dells for us have been fairly decent, except I think 1 did have a bad motherboard. The whole deal about noting them is they're the cheapest laptop you can probably find from a name you can trust (even though you can trust them as much as IBM?)

IBMs. Yes we have a bunch of thinkpads (about 2-3 years old) and new thinkpads (the T-40 version if you want to see how new) around the office, but our shop is fairly rough with whatever our hands get to. They're screens are notorious for breaking with pressure on top (just don't store them out of the case under any books overnight...true story). About quality, the older thinkpads we have are hard to use! They're not bad I guess, but as far as long life we've trashed at least 4 of the 20 we got back then. The new ones are nice, but they're new, so they should be nice!

[PeacefulWarrior]

Notebooks are just one of those things that everyone has a different opinion about.  The only notebook I ever owned was a refurbed p3 compaq which died on me.  I am leaning toward Dell.  Most of my friends have liked their Dell laptops and they have been sturdy.  I think IBM ThinkPads are great, but a bit too expensive for me right now.  Anyway, thanks for the tips.  I'll let you know what I go with.

[PeacefulWarrior]

Anyone know a good online store or other place to buy new laptops for low prices?  Thanks!