Laptops

PastorMikH · 06-01-2005, 09:06 PM

I'm kinda thinking about picking up a used one. I'd like to be able to work while traveling, as well as remote internet access as well as being able to play a few games and watch a few movies and so on.

I'm looking for something around a 2.0 Ghz with XP. What's worth looking at? I'd like to know which brands are most reliable as well as upgradable without going back to the original manufacturer.

Also, while traveling, how would I surf the net? Since I am on cable here, I do not have a dialup account to access. I see a lot of hotels that advertise internet access. Just curious how all that actually works.

Lastly, I do have a lady in the Church with a Dell laptop that she is trying to sell. Seems as though it won't charge the battery pack but it works fine if it is plugged into a power source. Anyone had any experience with any problems like that?

Thanks in advance!

**Donger** · 06-01-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

I'm kinda thinking about picking up a used one. I'd like to be able to work while traveling, as well as remote internet access as well as being able to play a few games and watch a few movies and so on.

I'm looking for something around a 2.0 Ghz with XP. What's worth looking at? I'd like to know which brands are most reliable as well as upgradable without going back to the original manufacturer.

Also, while traveling, how would I surf the net? Since I am on cable here, I do not have a dialup account to access. I see a lot of hotels that advertise internet access. Just curious how all that actually works.

Lastly, I do have a lady in the Church with a Dell laptop that she is trying to sell. Seems as though it won't charge the battery pack but it works fine if it is plugged into a power source. Anyone had any experience with any problems like that?

Thanks in advance!

As to high speed access, most hotels now have it. Some charge for it, however. Also, some are hard-wired and some are Wi-Fi. Just depends. Call the hotel you're looking at reserving and ask if they charge, and what type (wired vs. wired) they have. FYI, about 90% of the time the front desk people don't know the difference, but they do know wehter or not they have access. Be prepared for both.

PastorMikH · 06-02-2005, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

As to high speed access, most hotels now have it. Some charge for it, however. Also, some are hard-wired and some are Wi-Fi. Just depends. Call the hotel you're looking at reserving and ask if they charge, and what type (wired vs. wired) they have. FYI, about 90% of the time the front desk people don't know the difference, but they do know wehter or not they have access. Be prepared for both.

Thanks

HC_Chief · 06-02-2005, 09:58 AM

Dell laptops are very good... we use them at work.

The battery pack not holding a charge typically means bad battery.

You can buy replacements from Dell.

FTR I'm using a D505 right now... have used it for over a year and have had zero problems.

PastorMikH · 06-02-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

Dell laptops are very good... we use them at work.

The battery pack not holding a charge typically means bad battery.

You can buy replacements from Dell.

FTR I'm using a D505 right now... have used it for over a year and have had zero problems.

She bought another battery pack and it is doing the same. The former Pastor was going to buy it but backed off once he realized the problem.

Do they have bettery pack chargers that are separate from the laptops?

HC_Chief · 06-02-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

She bought another battery pack and it is doing the same. The former Pastor was going to buy it but backed off once he realized the problem.

Do they have bettery pack chargers that are separate from the laptops?

Hmmm, that sounds odd. The 'charger' is the laptop itself. When you attach the AC cable the system automatically charges the DC battery. If a new battery didn't fix the problem, there's definitely something wrong with the internals. At least, that would be my diagnosis from the limited info presented here.

Has she contacted Dell support?

htismaqe · 06-02-2005, 11:40 AM

I strongly recommend NOT going with a Dell laptop.

To add to all of the other reasons I've given previously ad nauseum in other threads, our IT department is in Omaha today for the first 30 of what will be over ONE THOUSAND motherboard replacements.

HC_Chief · 06-02-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I strongly recommend NOT going with a Dell laptop.

To add to all of the other reasons I've given previously ad nauseum in other threads, our IT department is in Omaha today for the first 30 of what will be over ONE THOUSAND motherboard replacements.

Shouldn't have bought your Dell laptops from Tijuana street vendors

The "Designed for el Weendows" label should have tipped you off.

htismaqe · 06-02-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

Shouldn't have bought your Dell laptops from Tijuana street vendors

The "Designed for el Weendows" label should have tipped you off.

I talked to a guy that I used to work with (the place that had 25% of their new Dell laptop purchases unable to boot out of the box) and he said they're going back to IBM.

They originally went to Dell because IBM's support was horrible. They figured they spent almost 3 hours per incident on the phone with IBM. They benchmarked several companies and decided to go with Dell because of their service, including a low "hours per incident" rating.

Well, they're now going back to IBM because even though Dell's support is SUPERB, they're not finding any efficiency.

3 hours per incident * 5 incidents per month = 15 support hours per month
1 hour per incident * FIFTY incidents per month = 50 support hours per month

HC_Chief · 06-02-2005, 01:34 PM

That's crazy. I have never heard of batch problems with Dell systems... they're typically among the most reliable. Like I said, our company uses them... can't remember a single hardware issue.

shakesthecat · 06-02-2005, 01:36 PM

FWIW, we've purchased about 10 Dell Latitude's over the past 2 years and haven't had a single issue with any of them.

Never tried IBM, but we had numerous problems with the Compaq Presario line we used to get.

Edit:I meant to say IBM originally.

htismaqe · 06-02-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

That's crazy. I have never heard of batch problems with Dell systems... they're typically among the most reliable. Like I said, our company uses them... can't remember a single hardware issue.

I've used dozen's of Dell DESKTOPS between jobs and home, and just like you, I've never had a single issue. My Dell at home is going on 5-years old and not only that, it's been up with no reboots for 186 days and counting.

It's the Dell LAPTOPS exclusively that I've had issues with. Currently, our IT department is replacing every Dell D600 that's service ID ends with "31". They all have defective motherboards. Preliminary report from my friend that works in IT is that it's over a thousand laptops.

AeroSquid · 06-02-2005, 03:06 PM

IBM > Dell,HP,Sony,Comapaq,Gateway,Acer

If you want a really good laptop that will last for a long time get a Mac.

Seriously.

**Saulbadguy** · 06-02-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I strongly recommend NOT going with a Dell laptop.

To add to all of the other reasons I've given previously ad nauseum in other threads, our IT department is in Omaha today for the first 30 of what will be over ONE THOUSAND motherboard replacements.

Sounds like what our company is doing. Over 1k motherboards in IBM desktops. Leaking/exploding capacitors.

PastorMikH · 06-02-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

....Leaking/exploding capacitors.

That doesn't sound positive.

06-01-2005, 09:06 PM
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9925087	Laptops I'm kinda thinking about picking up a used one. I'd like to be able to work while traveling, as well as remote internet access as well as being able to play a few games and watch a few movies and so on. I'm looking for something around a 2.0 Ghz with XP. What's worth looking at? I'd like to know which brands are most reliable as well as upgradable without going back to the original manufacturer. Also, while traveling, how would I surf the net? Since I am on cable here, I do not have a dialup account to access. I see a lot of hotels that advertise internet access. Just curious how all that actually works. Lastly, I do have a lady in the Church with a Dell laptop that she is trying to sell. Seems as though it won't charge the battery pack but it works fine if it is plugged into a power source. Anyone had any experience with any problems like that? Thanks in advance!
Posts: 20,454

06-02-2005, 09:58 AM	#4
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	Dell laptops are very good... we use them at work. The battery pack not holding a charge typically means bad battery. You can buy replacements from Dell. FTR I'm using a D505 right now... have used it for over a year and have had zero problems. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
Posts: 12,355

06-02-2005, 11:40 AM	#7
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	I strongly recommend NOT going with a Dell laptop. To add to all of the other reasons I've given previously ad nauseum in other threads, our IT department is in Omaha today for the first 30 of what will be over ONE THOUSAND motherboard replacements.
Posts: 100,022

06-02-2005, 01:34 PM	#10
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	That's crazy. I have never heard of batch problems with Dell systems... they're typically among the most reliable. Like I said, our company uses them... can't remember a single hardware issue. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
Posts: 12,355

06-02-2005, 01:36 PM	#11
shakesthecat Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: IA Casino cash: $4093833	FWIW, we've purchased about 10 Dell Latitude's over the past 2 years and haven't had a single issue with any of them. Never tried IBM, but we had numerous problems with the Compaq Presario line we used to get. Edit:I meant to say IBM originally. Last edited by shakesthecat; 06-02-2005 at 05:58 PM..
Posts: 3,354

06-02-2005, 03:06 PM	#13
AeroSquid we are 138 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9999900	IBM > Dell,HP,Sony,Comapaq,Gateway,Acer If you want a really good laptop that will last for a long time get a Mac. Seriously.
Posts: 1,156