ideal laptop recommendations?

[Jesse D. Guardiani]

Lars Eggert wrote:

> Jesse D. Guardiani wrote:
>> 
>> I have yet to hear from a single sole who actually owns a Sony or Dell
>> and isn't happy with it. Sounds like a bunch of "buy IBM" propoganda to
>> me.
> 
> FWIW, I've been using a Dell Latitude C600 for about two years now, and
> I'd recommend it mostly because of the no-fuss repair service.
> 
> If you travel a lot with it, or just lug it around a lot, things will
> break. Mine has had the motherboard, hard drive, screen, keyboard
> assembly, graphics card, power adaptor and pretty much all plastic
> pieces replaced by now. We have a second one that has fared a little
> better, but has also had multiple service calls.

I think I'm definately going to stay away from Dell then.

I think I might bite the bullet and get an IBM after hearing what
everyone has to say about Sony and Dell. I actually looked around on
the internet for IBM pricing today and yesterday. I actually found
one that is nearly what I what

customized ThinkPad A31 2652Q5U for $2,197.80 with the following features:

15.0" SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT
Pentium 4 M class 2.0Ghz w 512Kb L2 cache
40 Gb ATA 100 HD
512M DDR SDRAM
XP Professional (hey, I can't get it without windows...)
CDRW/DVD Combo III
Integrate Wi-Fi (assume 802.11b?) (who knows if it works with FreeBSD though...)
32Mb ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (definately supported under Xfree86!)
Integrated 10/100 and V.92 (not sure if the modem would work though)
3 yr onsite repair 9x5/next business day (sweet)
Free Leather Case/Travel Surge Protector


No 16" screen, only 32M graphics memory instead of 64M and no DVD
burner...

But maybe if I wait a few months that will change. I can be patient.


> 
> With next-business day service, this isn't a big issue, but I am sure
> glad we got extended warranty. Otherwise this thing would be a doorstop
> by now. It was bought through Dell Educational, maybe that affects
> service.
> 
> Lars
> 
> PS: I really like the IBMs, too, but I can't stand the trackpoint...



I don't care for it either. I'll probably get a wireless optical mouse
for desktop work.

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Jesse Guardiani, Systems Administrator
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