Laptop recommendations?

HomerMcvie · #1 08-31-2012, 07:49 PM

Geez, what a tech NIGHTMARE week.
Monday, my desktop PC dies. Getting it reformatted....still waiting to get it back.

Yesterday, my phone screen went dead. It's under warranty, but they're making me send it in for repair. Had to go buy a "pay as you go" phone today, or be without ANYTHING mobile, for a couple of weeks.

Get home from buying the phone, and my f*cking LAPTOP has died, too. WTFFFFFFFFF?

So, I see that Wallyhell has about 6 different models, ranging in the $350 neighborhood. Pretty much everything.
Dell
Compaq
Toshiba
Gateway
HP

Now, my two desktops are Dell, and I can't say that I'm crazy about them. And I think I've heard bad stuff about Gateway, too(right?). My laptop that has died was a Toshiba, and I did get 3 good years out of it. I was otherwise satisfied with it.....
So if you could pick from the above brands, which would you choose(or stay away from), and why/
THANKS.

Macfanforever · #2 08-31-2012, 09:14 PM

I guess I'm not the only one.Thats a good question.They are all good makes .but when they go kapoot .they do.Dell is ok .What I read. Today I just got my Dell Dimension 8100 back up and running after the Mobo bios died.Last monday I ordered a new refurb Mobo from Discount Electronics in Texas for $29.99 plus $10.00 shipping.I got it today.It took about about 3 hours to get it up and running.The later part of the 3hours about 90 minutes was spent on trying to get the router working with the new mobo.I got two Dells one HP and the no name first computer which I built in 1998 which I still use today.

I hope you backed up the harddrive before it got reformatted.

Cell phones .Mine lapse in time in renewing trac phone time .I will get a new one with more features

I've read people had problems with Compaq.

Ledgies with Imacs can anwser questions about Imacs.I'm thinking about getting a Imac for my video and audio work.All the pros love them.
.

wetcamelfood · #3 09-01-2012, 07:53 AM

Stay away from Gateway. I'd go for HP.

John

ButterCookie · #4 09-01-2012, 08:24 AM

Do NOT get a Dell.

I've had no end of problems with mine. Like, as I typed this, it cut out completely and I'm typing this on my phone because I can't be bothered fighting with my computer. I'm looking into getting an iMac soon.

nailatixela · #5 09-01-2012, 02:27 PM

Gateway was a nightmare. Out of all those, I like Toshiba and HP.

HomerMcvie · #6 09-01-2012, 07:29 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything good about Gateway! I'm on my backup Dell right now, and it's the most lethargic piece of sh*t I've ever had(and I had it reformatted, less than a year ago, and it didn't even seem to help it much!).

I'll probably go with either HP(which I've never had), or another Toshiba.

Does anyone know any secret tricks for getting my laptop to fire up? It was getting halfway through startup, then freezing. Now, it won't do ANYTHING. The power button does make it attempt to start(the sound of the drive working) but that's it. Nothing on the screen now...nothing. Boat anchor???

louielouie2000 · #7 09-01-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

I'm looking into getting an iMac soon.

Go for it... going Mac was the best investment I ever made. I got so sick of replacing computers every few years because my PC's became unusable from all the bugs they acquired over time, or completely died altogether. My Mac is 4 years old now, and still runs like the day I bought it. It's taken so much stress out of my life to have a computer that simply works the way it is supposed to.

HomerMcvie · #8 09-01-2012, 07:54 PM

Oh, and I meant to say, I would LOVE an iMac, but really don't want to take out a second mortgage!

Aussie W/Heart · #9 09-01-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Thanks guys. Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything good about Gateway! I'm on my backup Dell right now, and it's the most lethargic piece of sh*t I've ever had(and I had it reformatted, less than a year ago, and it didn't even seem to help it much!).

I'll probably go with either HP(which I've never had), or another Toshiba.

Does anyone know any secret tricks for getting my laptop to fire up? It was getting halfway through startup, then freezing. Now, it won't do ANYTHING. The power button does make it attempt to start(the sound of the drive working) but that's it. Nothing on the screen now...nothing. Boat anchor???

Our annoying Dell computer acted exactly the same way

, we payed to have it fixed after that in was only "good not great" for another 3 months.. Then it froze again

We ended up buying a compaq & HP no problems so far

HomerMcvie · #10 09-02-2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie W/Heart

Our annoying Dell computer acted exactly the same way

, we payed to have it fixed after that in was only "good not great" for another 3 months.. Then it froze again

We ended up buying a compaq & HP no problems so far

Thank you. I feel the same way. I think Dells are buggy. BOTH of my Dell keep having problem after problem. And they're noisy! This hard drive makes more noise than a Kentuckian in heat!

tilthefirefades · #11 09-02-2012, 01:21 AM

I have a Sony Vaio and I absolutely love it. I have yet to see a better laptop. I've had it for about a year and have had no problems with it.

1sttimelongtime · #12 09-02-2012, 01:32 AM

What you are describing is a problem common to Toshiba laptops. Supposedly the video card is loose. I slap my laptop sharply on bottom side when it does this and it starts right up every time. I've gotten another year of use out of it with this high tech solution.

HomerMcvie · #13 09-02-2012, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sttimelongtime

What you are describing is a problem common to Toshiba laptops. Supposedly the video card is loose. I slap my laptop sharply on bottom side when it does this and it starts right up every time. I've gotten another year of use out of it with this high tech solution.

Thanks. I'll try this tomorrow! I wonder if it's something I could disassemble, and properly seat?

NoFear♥OnlyLove · #14 09-02-2012, 02:54 AM

Whatever you do, DO NOT get a Dell laptop...those are nothing but a headache. We got one about a year and a half ago...within the first year, the battery would no longer charge and the mouse pad stopped working.

I started out with a Compaq, and loved it, but that was 15 years ago and I've no idea what kind of product it is now.

Next, I had an HP and it worked perfectly for 6 years. I was forced to get a new one only when the screen finally died. Otherwise, not a single complaint.

Now, I have a Toshiba, which I only got this past February...and so far, so good.

My overall recommendation, though, is an HP.

Aussie W/Heart · #15 09-02-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Thank you. I feel the same way. I think Dells are buggy. BOTH of my Dell keep having problem after problem. And they're noisy! This hard drive makes more noise than a Kentuckian in heat!

haha No worries!!, We must of had the same problems going on, noisy your not wrong.. The computer expert said the cooling system or fan had seized, causing it to overheat.. It would take forever to start up, then 1 min later it would freeze

I love my HP Laptop, and the Compaq desk top gets a good work out with out any problems so far..