Choosing A Laptop: Build Quality

[Pam14160]

I am not sure if you are an anti-Apple user but, MacBook's are A LOT better in terms of quality and longevity compared to other laptops I've used. You pay a premium but the hardware is not cheap and the batteries are made from the latest battery technology that maintain charge over a longer period of time.

Apple laptops are not that good for packing into the back country on the back of a Llama. They cannot take the beating that they would get from bouncing around in a backpack. That beautiful AL casing gets all beat up and the insides will not last. I found that out real fast, and made the switch to HP and Thinkpads for my back country photography. I have a HP (five years old) that has taken just about everything I could throw at it, and like a Timex watch it keeps on ticking. :yes:

[sweetham]

Only thing worse than Acer's build quality, is their support.

Had to send in a laptop three times, for them to finally replace a faulty motherboard......however they botched the installation, which would cause it to ground/short if moved.

So I just gave up :laugh:

The fact Dell provide a 'in-home' repair plan, is now a big plus for me.

Yup have to agree with acer quality being crap. Laptop battery died in 10 months internal components are crap, most notably the shoddy wifi card they use. CD-Rom doesnt want to eject with the button and requires a software eject 99% of the time. Updated drivers, bios, firmware, etc. to no avail. Same issues on xp and 7. Quality is just subpar.

[wrack]

Build quality and solid machines,

HP EliteBook Workstation

Dell Precision Workstation

Rest are ...... well not just the same!

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

I have not used or seen an HP EliteBook in the flesh, but have read many good things about them. About five years ago, a co-worker and I ordered a Dell Precision M60 Mobile Workstation and an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T43p, and we found them both to have excellent build quality. My T43p still works fine and looks new; no idea about how the Dell is holding up, though.

I think a Lenovo ThinkPad T, W or X series would hold up quite well. Another possibility might be a semi-ruggedized notebook like Panasonic's ToughBook series or a ruggedized one like General Dynamics' Itronics line, but expect to pay a premium: Those are computers are developed for corporate and government markets, and priced accordingly.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Edited December 10, 2010 by goretsky

[neoadorable]

Acer gets my vote. They've really improved. The one i have right now from them works like a charm. The last Dell i bought in June 2008 popped a hinge come fall 2009 - and the hinge took out the frame around the screen with it. What does that tell you? Avoid.