Laptops

[Alysser]

I don't have much experience with laptops, but please take my advice and DO NOT get a Dell laptop. Mine got a virus, even though I set the virus scan to do each day. My dad found out that it didn't do the virus scan and called up Dell, they EVEN TOLD us it was the computer. When we finally managed to fix the virus one of the screen hinges popped out and wouldn't go back in. Then that happened to my brothers, sisters, and my teachers dell laptop. Then I finally just gave up after my computer got a virus again. They may be one of the cheapest laptops out there, but trust me they aren't worth it if the break so many times. To conclude, in the long run, a more expensive and efficent laptop is better. It will last long.

[I_luv_rusty]

Well, I have a tosbisha laptop. I have had it for quiet some time, since sometime when I lived in florida. I don't remember the year I got it but I have been using it more since I got back. So, I have been using it reguarly since 2005 now. It hasn't broken once, my desktop background once did dissapear but that was from a virus that once I tried a few other programs then the nortan antivirus I got rid it. But, tosbisha are really good.

[CagneyDog]

Dells are not the cheapest laptops at all. Actually, they've been rated some of the best out there and price wise - DEFINITELY not cheap :P

I've had great luck with my dell it's been dropped numerous times and nothing has happened. The screen is great, doesn't get scratched up easily. Their customer service is excellent too.

[Kalei]

I have a Compaq laptop and it works great! I have had zero problems with it and just love it!

[Laura's Babies]

In 1998 or 99, I bought a Toshiba Laptop and I LOVED it! I loved it so much when it was time to move up, I bought another Toshiba. I bought my new one only about a month before Eddie had his accident so I took it to Norfolk and left it with them at the hospital and that is how she did the updates on the internet on him.. Last I hear, he is STILL using it and there has been "0" problems with it. I would buy another Toshiba but I too, shun Compaq.. I have known to many people that have Compaqs and everyone of them have had problems. A guy I work with had one and swore he had NO problems with it.... then it crashed and couldn't be brought back... so he bought another one.. He has nothing but problem after problem with it and now swears he will never buy another one. The tech support for them is no help at all!

[Jessika]

HJ and I have a Compaq and it's pretty hardy. We've knocked it off the table, the dogs have walked by and snagged on the power cord and knocked it down... still works like brand new. The only problem we've had is the RAM it comes with needs to be upgraded to a larger amount, but we play games on it too so you may not even need to upgrade the RAM.

[Lady's Human]

I worked on computers for the Army for the last few years before dropping my retirement papers. The military replaces computers on a 3 year cycle (in theory) and has used several brands over the last decade. The ones that have held up the best are Dells (I own one) and Toshibas (I would have bought one, but the Dell was cheaper). Dells seem to be fairly hardy (the cases DO scratch easily, but that's cosmetic, not functional), and are easy to repair. Replacing the hard drive on a Dell or Toshiba is 2 screws and a clip, where with a Mac laptop it is a miserable job, and a hard drive is the most likely point of failure on a laptop.

I would definitely get a carrying case for the laptop, especially if you are worried about dropping it. There are soft cases on the market which will put up with almost any abuse, even airport luggage handlers.

A computer getting a virus has nothing to do with the hardware, it is almost 100% a software issue. A virus can get into a system many ways, and an A/V program is just ONE piece of the defense against a virus. Macro viruses are easy to write and difficult to defeat, and normally are handled by MS system and software updates (Office updates, etc). Spyware and Malware which are not normally stopped by A/V programs can also cripple a computer.

[Killearn Kitties]

I have used Dell, Toshiba, Philips and Vaio in recent years, I think. Never had a problem with any of them. Well, if you discount the one that my husband stood on. For some reason the screen was never quite the same after that.