[RedEvo]

Before you report me for spamming I'm not selling laptops

This isn't really a question so much as an opinion. I know people are often confused about PC's and Laptops especially when setting up in business and on a tight budget so I thought I'd share an opinion - but that's all it is!

Buying a laptop is confusing, loads of choice for not a lot of money, but at the same time you can spend £1500 on a machine that looks the same as one for £300.

I decided to opt for a second hand quality machine rather than a new machine loaded with stuff I didn't need. I take the same approach with cars but that's another story.

Just over a year ago I bought an IBM ThinkPad, T41 off EBay. 1GB RAM, 40GB HD etc etc. I paid about £230. This machine the one I'm working on just now - has not missed a beat. Stunning build quality, uber reliable, all the stuff I need and none of the stuff I don't. It's been used and abused.

These machines are built for the corporate world (The T range not the R range). T40, 41, 42 & 43's are in abundance on e bay gum and will provide solid service. Most of the sellers get them in bulk from corporate off loads and sell them with a warranty.

So, if you want a quality laptop that will serve you well don't spend £300 on a brand new rubbish machine, spend £300 on a quality used machine and you won't regret it.

Hope this is of some use to someone......

d

[Inzvestor]

It makes perfect sense Red.

If you are out and about on the road all the time you need reliability and battery power, as well as av out (for projectors and external monitors)
You won't need cd/dvd writers, all the latest gizmos and software either...

Keep those on a pc (or mac) base unit with a little more firepower if you run big applications.

PC's / Laptops (and to a lesser degree mobile phones and PDA's) are like granny's video recorder - under utilised.

Most users only need a fraction of the specs of a brand new laptop (with regards to processing power).

[LinkingClever]

I completely agree with you there RedEvo. Im on an IBM T42 currently, but also had a T21 and an old 560e. Cracking laptops, hard as nails and cheap!
Im going for the T61 tablet next....
Jay

[RedEvo]

Originally Posted by LinkingClever

I completely agree with you there RedEvo. Im on an IBM T42 currently, but also had a T21 and an old 560e. Cracking laptops, hard as nails and cheap!
Im going for the T61 tablet next....
Jay

I've just grabbed a T43 with a 2GHz processor and a 15" screen. It's like new.

d

[glencooley.com]

For me the key is portability and battery life.

So the lightest and the smallest as the software i need isnt cumbersome but definately agree with this thread!

[boxby]

My hubby uses his laptop exclusively for browsing, and for using one particular CD-rom. His laptop gets treated like "rubbish", mainly getting thrown off the passenger seat of his van, and stood on with steel toe boots. Life expectancy of 6-9 months!

Oh, and I forgot, with it frequently getting incinerated when he connects the in-car charger to the laptop with the wrong connection fitting.

He has a strictly £200 limit!

[CPLTD]

A superb post Redevo,

The IBM T Series are a excellent choice for the business user with there outstanding battery life, Portability and superb value they really outperform the competition,

[saracen]

Good advice Red, cheers.


I bought a laptop about 3 yrs ago, Ei Systems. £599. After approx 6 months i got many BSOD's, was a night mare. Bottom line was the HDD gave up the ghost. Couldnt take it back as i had changed the operating system.

Anyway, i still use the Laptop to this day, it runs ok but i've had to format it a few times which of course makes it run really sweet for a while.


I hope to purchase another laptop in the near future and will go for a second hand one this time. Easy enough to format them starting with a clear slate.

( never buy an ei system )



PS - plz feel free to share your story regarding your cars ?

[northantsit.co.uk]

I went with a Toshiba Satellite A100-756 last year, for the £600 price tag I really wanted some features with it. I certainly got what I paid for, it's been brilliant, a nice widescreen (HD ready) so my eyes have a chance to recover from my days work. Brilliant build quality, WLAN, Harman/Kardon speakers and a nice selection of media features which is always a bonus. The battery could be a little better but a couple of hours is usually fine for browsing, I mainly have it plugged in anyway.

Cheers
Steve
NorthantsIT.co.uk

[CPLTD]

good call Steve,
I would say they make a great desk top replacement, but as you say there battery life is alot to be desired , The IBM has been designed with a more mobility approach not so much as feature rich experience, saying that the latest models have some great ability.