Looking for laptop computer buying advice

[Soundguy]

I make my tractor payments based on a direct correlation on keeping 4 year old laptops running

But I agree, if you have the $$ buy a new one every two-three years

~paul

I think there's a huge difference in compairing tractor lifespan to laptop lifespan.

I have tractors that were around when they were still making advances in vacume tube technology..

I'm not advocating running out and buying a new laptop every 'x' years for the average user. My comments rwere more directed at a business user that has to keep a machine updated to run current software and operating systems.

The main software suite our office runs on is updated quarterly.. each update comes with new system requirements.. We literally have to buy a computer system with about 2ys worth of 'upgrade', or 'update' cushion available or built in.. Unfortunately I don't see this software enhancement issue stopping untill a hardware 'roadblock' is hit.

Using past history as a predictor... computer technology is going to evolve faster and faster as time passes untill we hit some theoretical limt of our present manufacturing process's. Software will be on that leading edge either taking advantage of new hardware, or driving the hardware expansion by taxing the capabilities of current machines.. ( IE.. software programmers will ALWAYS write programs that use all available ram.. no matter how much manufacturers keep adding.. )

Soundguy

 

[Diesel-ME]

I think there's a huge difference in compairing tractor lifespan to laptop lifespan.

I have tractors that were around when they were still making advances in vacume tube technology..

I'm not advocating running out and buying a new laptop every 'x' years for the average user. My comments rwere more directed at a business user that has to keep a machine updated to run current software and operating systems.

The main software suite our office runs on is updated quarterly.. each update comes with new system requirements.. We literally have to buy a computer system with about 2ys worth of 'upgrade', or 'update' cushion available or built in.. Unfortunately I don't see this software enhancement issue stopping untill a hardware 'roadblock' is hit.

Using past history as a predictor... computer technology is going to evolve faster and faster as time passes untill we hit some theoretical limt of our present manufacturing process's. Software will be on that leading edge either taking advantage of new hardware, or driving the hardware expansion by taxing the capabilities of current machines.. ( IE.. software programmers will ALWAYS write programs that use all available ram.. no matter how much manufacturers keep adding.. )

Soundguy

You mean to say that I can expect my tractor to last more than 4 years?

hehe (just kidding?)

I agree that for larger businesses, IT gear like this should be capitalized over 3 years and replaced as soon after that as possible. Those darn programmers ALWAYS write their new versions of SW to consume way more resources than the last - drives me crazy.

When I worked for (then) the worlds 2nd largest computer company we always refreshed equipment like that. Then during the dot-com boom most fast growing companies did the same. Now my day job is with a non-profit - I must say that the current reality bites. We actually still have some 8 year old laptops out there with (and it pains me the even type this) Windows 98 installed and running. (phew.... that was hard).

When the kids went off to college they each got a new laptop - w/ a 4 year warrantee. Dad only provides one laptop so it HAS to last 4 years! Then I expect them to return the favor when they make more $$ than Dad

OK, having said all that - am I tempted to go buy a shiny new laptop for home use that has no extended warrantee just because I can get one for $600? You bet. But I always tell folks who ask - to buy the warrantee. You likely to use it if you keep the system more than a few years.

So, Robert - is our advice at least as clear as mud by now?
Let us know what you go with.

~paul

 

[Soundguy]

Now see.. all that makes sense.. The uses you are describing are not the same as the ones i was. For the average school kid or homeowner.. the lifespan should be decent.

I still have 1 PC at the house running win98.. It's a dedicated work station using an old AMD K6-2 500 processor and? 64 meg ram. i keep it around as it has a parallelport scanner that won't work on any of our new pc's 9 no parallel ports anymore... ) and it has a midi interface i use for some of my wifes music gear. past that everything else is win xp.. and one win 2000 unit we bought from her shool when it sold it's pc's last year for 50$ each with 17 or 21" monitors... i bouhgt it just for the monitor..(wink)

Soundguy

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Paul, every bit is helpful. Somethings I just don't think about on a regular basis so when I come on here it jars my memory and puts me in the correct state of mind for when I start looking and comparing specs.

I am leaning towards a Toshiba but 8 years ago I was leaning towards a John Deere. Now I run almost all CNH equipment

 

[Diesel-ME]

Interestingly enough Toshiba has a direct channel that competes directly with the big box stores: Laptop Computers, Projectors and Accessories - Toshiba

And you can look up the extended service plan pricing (the direct one as opposed to in-store plan) on that site too.

~paul

 

[riptides]

How come the buy USA crowd never visits the consumer electronics discussions like they do the field equipment discussions?

-Mike Z.

 

[frank_f15]

Robert: i had to buy a laptop this past memorial day as my desktop took a doo doo, I just went ot one of the big box stores and bout one of the last ones they had that had xp on it (sony) no burner but it is stricly a back up and for when i travel paid $550 for it and it appears to fit MY needs, yours are bit different. i had it a few days and dropped it, no problem as good as new. also i have a lot of stuff on floppys so purchased a USB floopy drive for $29. i am going to start o thread on LCD MONITOR AS i need a new one, and don'[t know much about them.

 

[RoyJackson]

How come the buy USA crowd never visits the consumer electronics discussions like they do the field equipment discussions?

-Mike Z.

Sadly, the US has given up on the consumer electronics industry (with rare exceptions) years ago.
Another disaster in the making when China shows it's true colors. Just remember what happens to collaborators, once we clean up this mess.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert: i had to buy a laptop this past memorial day as my desktop took a doo doo, I just went ot one of the big box stores and bout one of the last ones they had that had xp on it (sony) no burner but it is stricly a back up and for when i travel paid $550 for it and it appears to fit MY needs, yours are bit different. i had it a few days and dropped it, no problem as good as new. also i have a lot of stuff on floppys so purchased a USB floopy drive for $29. i am going to start o thread on LCD MONITOR AS i need a new one, and don'[t know much about them.

I was talking to my friend yesterday and he just bought an Acer from Walmart. He couldn't get Vista to load properly so he got fed up and put XP pro on. I guess Vista kept asking for his log on info and would reboot every time he put it in.

I figure I would try Vista but if I don't like it I always have XP pro to fall back on.