copperhead Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Just like the title says, I'm wondering what brands of laptops are good these days and what I should avoid. Looking for something on the cheap end (sub $500) with a 15.6" screen, but something with a bit more punch than an Atom. I've had bad luck with HP's along with a lot of people I know, and I've never been a fan of Dell, otherwise I'm open to suggestions. edit - also, no Macs. Not like they would fit into my price range anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Dell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I've had a few Lenovo's and never had a single issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sturg1647545502 Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 gateway surprisingly. picked it up at micro center. had it since jan. with out any problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spidey2721 Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 samsung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Asus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1fast5gp Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Toshiba and Asus are the most reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cranium Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 HPs have always treated me well. Sure I've had problems, but nothing I wouldn't expect from any other brand of laptop. We picked up a referbed laptop for my girlfriends son to take to college this fall at Microcenter. Quad core AMD CPU with 6 gigs of RAM for around $380. It's a referb, but I would rather buy them that way than new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucd Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 +1 on Asus. Some of the newer HP and Dell are better then what they use to be. Samsung aren't bad either. -D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I've had my HP dv6000SE for probably 7 years now (i think... mid-college). Still going strong and looks brand new too. Even running Vista :dumb: I guess it wasn't cheap though... at nearly 1600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NitrousSam Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 If you have marked Apple off (even used or remanufactured) off your list take a look at Lenovo. We have a few of them in our office and they have been solid machines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 We use Lenovo's at work. Ours are fairly pricey models given our needs, but they are reliable in the hands of some pretty tough on laptop folks. I'm sure they do well in the lower end models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMustangStampede Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I have had a dell since 2003 I lugged it around Iraq and it still works, but is slow because I'm used to much faster laptops now. I also have an HP that I liked so much I bought the wife one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Asus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted August 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I've had my HP dv6000SE for probably 7 years now (i think... mid-college). Still going strong and looks brand new too. Even running Vista :dumb: I guess it wasn't cheap though... at nearly 1600 Mine is a DV6663US, it was $1,000 when I bought it 5 and a half years ago. It started having overheating problems probably the second year I had it. Since then the hinges have broke, and it will randomly shut down from heat. Now it won't go more than 5 minutes without shutting off. I've had a couple friends with HP's from the same era, also had broken hinges and other issues. To those suggesting Asus - it seems like to get the same specs as other brands, I would have to spend about $150 more. Does this sound right? Conversely, Acers seem to be too cheap compared to everything else, that kinda scares me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicranium Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Have a Lenovo from 2006 that I've never had any problems with aside from the battery not really holding a charge anymore but I think that's to be expected with its age and the fact that I rarely used it unplugged anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99BlownYellowGT Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 I like my Asus...had it for a few years now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Apple :/ IBM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergwheel1647545492 Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Lenovo, basically a consumer grade IBM and they are built VERY well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyFKINPowerz Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Dell makes a decent laptop for the price and Asus has gotten much better in the last 5 or 6 years. Either one is a good bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unfunnyryan Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 We use Lenovo's at work. Ours are fairly pricey models given our needs, but they are reliable in the hands of some pretty tough on laptop folks. I'm sure they do well in the lower end models. Lenovo, basically a consumer grade IBM and they are built VERY well! The lower end models are Acer. The business models are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwohio Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 what do you use your computer for? Do you need lots of RAM, Memory, Video card, etc. Is it mainly for surfing pron? any photo or video editing? Big storage for photos, music, etc? I think that will help narrow down your decision a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin5s Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Lenovo is a good brand..... (used to be the stinkpads which I never had bad luck with) Dell also makes a good machine as well as hp/compaq anything else id stay away from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Lenovo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1fast5gp Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Mine is a DV6663US, it was $1,000 when I bought it 5 and a half years ago. It started having overheating problems probably the second year I had it. Since then the hinges have broke, and it will randomly shut down from heat. Now it won't go more than 5 minutes without shutting off. I've had a couple friends with HP's from the same era, also had broken hinges and other issues. To those suggesting Asus - it seems like to get the same specs as other brands, I would have to spend about $150 more. Does this sound right? Conversely, Acers seem to be too cheap compared to everything else, that kinda scares me off. Do you have a Nvidia Graphics card? If you do, that is your problem. HPs are no better than Acer/Gateway but more expensive and their customer service is junk. But based on my experience, I would never buy another HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.