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Best build quality?

post #1 of 17
12/16/04 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 
Heyo

Im going to be carrying my laptop around in my backpack alot, along with some textbooks, papers etc as Im a student. Also I will be using the latop a lot away from a 'desk', as I am a researcher in the 'field' and so i will take the laptop with me to the farms etc and work on it outdoors. So ive concluded that the laptop I need has to have great build quality.

What brand/model has the best build quality according to everyone?
I heard good things about IBM, but they are pricey ofcourse.

Kiwi
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post #2 of 17
12/16/04 at 10:18pm
IBM, IBM, IBM. If you've got the dough, and don't mind having to use recovery discs/partitions for installations without any original full-install OS discs, buy an IBM. Particularly the T series, or X series if you'll be doing some serious travelling. I think the R series would be OK, but it doesn't have the titanium/magnesium shell coating that the T and X series models do.

I used to own a ThinkPad 600x, and it was the most solid notebook I'd ever used. Acer, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway, HP/Compaq, Dell and most of the other big-name players in the computer manufacturing industry don't even come close to IBM's build quality.

You might also look at a Panasonic Toughbook, or another fully or semi-rugged notebook.

I have no experince with a Compal CL56, but I read that it's a fairly solid notebook.
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post #3 of 17
12/16/04 at 10:34pm
The Asus M6 is very well built.

Steve
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post #4 of 17
12/16/04 at 10:56pm
The asus M6 is very well built, but we're talking about a lot of outdoors here, farms! I think he should look for something with a metal case, or other ruggedized plastic made spec. for outdoors.
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post #5 of 17
12/16/04 at 11:12pm
Twinhead. Check out www.discountlaptops.com
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post #6 of 17
12/17/04 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
thanks for the replies. I would love to own the IBM T41 or 42, but they are out of my budget (circa €1200 = $1500US). Same for the panasonic, its pricey.

Im ok with not going for a 'semi ruggedised' notebook as I will just take a good backpack with me, (and they tend to weigh quite a bit) but I dont want the plastic bits to crack, the box to scratch, the buttons to com loose, the screen to flex too much, etc etc. All these things may happen unintendedly in a backpack whilst travelling.

I was looking at the ASUS as well, but I've not heard too much about the service and support.

What about Acer? say the Acer 4500 or 4000 series?

-Kiwi
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post #7 of 17
12/17/04 at 11:43am
I would second Monkcat's suggestion of the Twinhead N15RB. It packs a lot of "punch" while offering probably the sturdiest build available short of a fully rugged system. I would also note that it is NOT that hefty, weighing in fully loaded at about 6.8 pounds (not a featherweight but not overly bulky either).

Asus also has terrific build quality, using carbon fiber construction rather than plastic (the Twinhead uses an aluminum/magnesium alloy).

I'd put both of these ahead of any other offering apart from IBM but IBM will come at a considerable price premium.
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post #8 of 17
12/17/04 at 12:07pm
not really related to your plea...but i think it's awesome that you used the word "whilst"
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post #9 of 17
12/17/04 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, just checked out the Twinhead - looks like good specs and build for the price (though the best price Ive seen is $1640 which is above my budget). Also I live in Europe (Holland), so I'll have to fork out extra for delivery. If living in USA, then the Twinhead is a good 'Plan B' after the IBM.

Is there no one willing to stick their neck out for Dell, Toshiba, Acer or HP? They are the 'top 4' in terms of retail sales here in Europe, therefore can afford to have more laptops in my price range.

oh, and lastly, thanks for the comment Jazzy. My new zealand english cant help but shine through.

-Kiwi
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post #10 of 17
12/17/04 at 12:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi
thanks for the replies. I would love to own the IBM T41 or 42, but they are out of my budget (circa €1200 = $1500US). Same for the panasonic, its pricey.

Im ok with not going for a 'semi ruggedised' notebook as I will just take a good backpack with me, (and they tend to weigh quite a bit) but I dont want the plastic bits to crack, the box to scratch, the buttons to com loose, the screen to flex too much, etc etc. All these things may happen unintendedly in a backpack whilst travelling.

I was looking at the ASUS as well, but I've not heard too much about the service and support.

What about Acer? say the Acer 4500 or 4000 series?

-Kiwi
The Asus service & support is done through the reseller because afaik they don't sell directly to the end user.
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post #11 of 17
12/17/04 at 12:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi
Yeah, just checked out the Twinhead - looks like good specs and build for the price (though the best price Ive seen is $1640 which is above my budget). Also I live in Europe (Holland), so I'll have to fork out extra for delivery. If living in USA, then the Twinhead is a good 'Plan B' after the IBM.

Is there no one willing to stick their neck out for Dell, Toshiba, Acer or HP? They are the 'top 4' in terms of retail sales here in Europe, therefore can afford to have more laptops in my price range.

oh, and lastly, thanks for the comment Jazzy. My new zealand english cant help but shine through.

-Kiwi
Toshiba is the one brand I don't hear too much about but a lot of the Japanese employees here have one (but they're straight from Japan). The few people with Dell's are satisfied with it (600m and X300). I cannot vouch for HP or Acer since we use a lot of their machines at work. The HP/Compaq notebooks were complete garbage so the company switched over to Thinkpads and they are solid.
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post #12 of 17
12/17/04 at 2:01pm
In Europe Asus is marketed as a proper brand, just as they are here in Australia, so support will be through Asus itself rather than a reseller. Whilst some may prefer the intimate relationship of a PC Torque or DL, I'd rather have the full might of Asus itself backing my warranty.

I've owned Dell, HP and Toshiba laptops and there is reason they are not being mentioned as paragons of build quality.

And finally, as a product of the New Zealand education system myself, I can also attest to its excellence.

Cheers

Steve
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post #13 of 17
12/17/04 at 8:09pm
Thread Starter 
As boring as the ASUS looks to me on pictures, I have heard good things about it elsewhere too. Its definitely in consideration. However, I heard that the USB ports are all on the back, that the trackpad gathers dust, and the the fan is noisy. How much of that is true? And can you restore my faith in its 'looks' by telling me that it looks better in real life than in photos (like most human beings i guess!).

Over here (holland) the ASUS 6000 series notebook, with Dothan, 512, DVD/RW (dual), ATI 9700, is €1299 right now.

The Acer 4502ALCi is €1050 for the similar specs (also available in widescreen). Only main difference in spec, is that Acer has integrated graphics by Intel.

And, the Sony BV1P (€1250) thats just come out looks ok too. But Ive not read any reviews on this machine at all AND Ive heard nothing positive about the service and support. But it is one well spec'ed machine for the price, with great screen and keyboard.

-
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post #14 of 17
12/17/04 at 9:46pm
mwave has a nice t42 for close to your price range.
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post #15 of 17
12/17/04 at 9:52pm
None!
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post #16 of 17
12/19/04 at 3:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzyb824
not really related to your plea...but i think it's awesome that you used the word "whilst"
perhaps reading shakespeare lately? don't know if people use much 'whilst' in the states....
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post #17 of 17
12/19/04 at 5:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fobishduck
perhaps reading shakespeare lately? don't know if people use much 'whilst' in the states....
Or anywhere, for that matter
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