[NTLUG:Discuss] Laptop opinion request

[Patrick R. Michaud]

On Fri, Nov 09, 2007 at 02:48:37PM -0600, Dennis Rice wrote:
> I am in the need to look into a new laptop for both Linux and MS Win 
> XP (yes, ugg).
> 
> Looking for suggestions of brand and opinion why, and if you like a 
> particular vendor.  This is not an expense does not matter, I must 
> watch the $$$$$.
> 
> Your thoughts and opinions please.

Just to add a "me too" to the list -- I also tend to stick with Dell 
notebooks and laptops and have not been disappointed.  I've had my
Latitude X300 for over four years now and continue to use it heavily.
Currently the X300 is running Kubuntu 7.10, and it's just about the
cleanest Linux install/performance I've seen on any system I work
with.  It even recognizes the internal bluetooth adapter.  (At various
times I've also run the laptop with RedHat, Fedora, and SUSE and
never had any major issues.)

The only problems I've had with Dell notebooks have been due to being 
overly harsh with them, such as the occasional drop from a backpack or
case.  If you can at all swing the extra cost, I highly recommend
getting the extended warranty coverage with on-site service.
I've replaced the display twice and the HDD once on my X300,
and there's a great deal of comfort from knowing that repairs
are covered and that I won't have a lot of downtime waiting
on shipping back-and-forth to a repair facility.  

In contrast, when the (heavily abused) power connector broke
on the motherboard of our non-warranty-covered Latitude D510, 
it took over a week to get it back and cost much more than the 
extended coverage would have cost.  In retrospect we definitely
should have purchased the coverage.

In the late 90s I was involved with a number of Gateway notebook
purchases and had so many horrible experiences with machines
failing in the first year of operation (and approximately 30% DOA)
that I swore never to purchase Gateways again.  Others may have
had good experiences since then, but until I have a serious
problem with a Dell notebook purchase I'm likely to stick with them.

Hope this helps,

Pm