Lifespan of 56808990 - Page 2

Laptops last longer than you think.... Someone I help now and then has a real old laptop. I think he is running windows 95 on it, he MIGHT be using windows 98. Honestly, not being sarcastic.

And yeah things burn out, but not as much as you would think. Besides, some computers have better/worse luck than others. I still ahve my old Pentium 166 with 64 MB SDRAM, it works... Only thing I had to replace was the CD-ROM drive... On the other hand, I had to replace the CD-RW Drive and DVD Drive on my current comp and it is going on 2.5-3 years.

P.S. I just remebered one of the HDs on my old computer just burned out... I think. Haven't bothered really looking at it.
And I think the only reason why it did burn out is I don't clean the computer anymore, and we get a lot of dust here. So I think thats a huge part of it..

The move from 32 to 64 bit is not the end of the world. In the Unix space we went from 32 -> 64 bits about 5 years ago (You PC guys are only just catching up ). The 32 bit software that runs now is most likely going to run in 64 bit compatibility mode. Intel/Microsoft are not going to *instantly* make 32 bit software obsolete. Even M$ does not have the resources to bring out all 64 bit software at once.

And so what if 64 bit software does start appearing, your existing software is not going to fall over and die from a heart attack. It still continues to work - it is just you don't get all the nice new features in the new revision.

Given the course is 4 years and didn't want to replace it before I finished, I would go with any laptop that has the maximum expandability in memory. More than anything else memory is what you will run out of first. I would probably keep my existing PIII Toshiba another year or so if I could put more memory in it. It is the applications I am now using that demand more. Sure CPU/GPU speed is important but memory will be more your limiting factor.

As to the lifespan of an LCD you have to remember 3.5 years is average. My previous laptop got 8 years out of the LCD. Near the end I had dim backlighting and a couple of lines across the screen. It still worked until I could afford the (then - 1999) top end Toshiba I now have. Extended warranty will probably provide you with a replacement LCD (if they are still available as spares down the track). If not they might just pay you the equivalent in $ and send you away. Check the fine print as they say.

Any of the reputable laptops, Dell, Toshiba, Sony, HP (no so sure after the x1000 debacle) and of course Sager have models that allow for decent memory expandability. Pick any one that can accept up to 2Gb of memory. More would be nice but that is top end right now. Pick a CPU/GPU that matches your expected needs (I tend to go for the fastest right now and leave it alone until I replace the entire laptop).

You could wait for 64 bit CPUs, 12 Gb mobos, 240 Gb disks, but in the meantime you have to get assignments done, games played and friends to impress . You could wait forever and never have had the enjoyment of ever using your laptop, whatever brand it is.

What was the x1000 debacle?

About 2 months ago HP/Compaq released a new laptop, the x1000 or Nx7000 (business nomeclature - sorry about the big words ). I was in the market for a laptop at the time and the specs looked really good (I did not know about Sagers then) (check here for my comparison).

I was almost about to buy it when I discoverd a thread on www.x1000forums.com about a keyboard lockup problem. Initally HP/Compaq refused to acknowledge the problem even existed but then thru the work of one member on the forum HP finally started to do something. Two months (!!) later HP finally posts F.09a bios upgrade to supposedly fix that issue (some people are still having problems even after the new bios).

However in the mean time another more sinister problem developed with the screen just going blank for a few seconds at random times. (If you are interested just go to the x1000 forum and search for the term "screen blips"). HP still does not know what is going on. To make matters worse it would appear the case the laptops are housed in has structural problems - users are now starting to see hairline fractures.

I really did like the x1000's feature set. It looked good on paper but it would appear that in real life the unit is just not holding up. It is a real pity. Being an engineer myself, it cuts me up when a project I have worked on has major problems like this - it reflects badly on your skills (luckily I have only had one major stuffup in my career - I will be more wary of UPS power supplies in the future ). Trouble is sometimes cost cutting or management interference can really ruin it for you.

From my research into the x1000, I personally would not recommend them. It is the same with Eurocom. I wanted the QXGA they offered in the D500P (5680 equivalent) but after countless emails and requests for info - nothing, zip, zero. PC Torque on the other hand have been exceptional in replying to my endless questions (Thanks Laura ). This forum speaks for itself. Sager appear to have an awesome reputation and as to PC Torque, well you know the rest.

Damn...that's all I gotta say...Damn...

Who are these idiots saying the max you can get out of a laptop is 3 years? The only people I know who actually replace their laptops/desktops in less than 3 year increments are computer geeks with way too much money (possibly acccomplished with ramen noodle diets and refusal to pay the water bill?) The vast majority of the world keeps their computers for many years unless they start having 'issues' (either a penis envy issue, or an actual hardware failure issue typical of inferior quality manufacturers).

It just really pisses me off to see people brag about how they spend $2000+ on computers every year, as if spending any less is something only poor lamers do.

Most businesses work on a 3 year replacement cycle. There are sound financial reasons why they do. Part of the current demand for PC's is being driven by business starting to replace computers that were purchased just before the y2k issue. My own business is a case in point.

However, what started this thread was the needs of a student with a limited budget doing a 4 year course. You are right beatgeek about the need for buying good quality gear in the first place. Sometimes that can be hard to do even from reputable(?) companies (as in the case of the HP/Compaq x1000). Even Dell has had major issues with things like keyboards and overheating. In my own experience Toshiba laptops have had an impeccable reputation. Sager from all accounts I have read seems to match and/or exceed even that - certainly from a service and support point of view.

If I was a student - I would pick either a Toshiba or a Sager with maximum expandability and headroom particularly in max memory size and keep it until I finished my degree. By then I would have the financial resources to buy the next generation laptop.

Edit: Of course it is natural that we all want bragging rights. It comes from being the owner of a Sager .

I agree with Toshiba being a good system. My helped my g/f's sister buy a Toshiba laptop 2 years ago and the thing has worked perfectly for her. It's a:

- Pentium III w/ Speedstep @ 750Mhz
- 128MB RAM
- 20GB HDD
- 8x DVD

It originally came with Windows ME ( ) but I reformated it the next day and put Windows XP Pro instead. She has never had one hardware problem and I think this is the the 3rd time in 2 years that I've had to reformat for her (she got a backdoor Trojan virus that was causing chaos in her system.)

She only uses it for typing up papers for school, internet, music & playing solitare. Plus Toshiba (for the most part) are pretty inexpensive if you shop around.)

I have a Dell Inspiron 7000..(it was a desktop replacement) It wieghed 10lb and was a big heavy laptop. I still have it and use all the time. It will run half life fine and the DVD playback is awsome..it uses a hardware decoder card. For surfing the net wordprocesing email..ect. it is great. Won't run new games but for must else it is fine...and it is 4 years old.

The Dell 7000's were good machines. They went down hill with the newer 8000 series IMHO.

...plus Dell charges way too much for their laptops imo...

The thing with Dells is

They make an excellent product, but they have several downfalls IMHO. One is Indian support, I work with these people every day and they are all very nice, but if I am frustrated trying to make them understand (and I know their job inside and out) then someone who is calling for things they dont even understand it has to be living hell. The other issue I found is their technology doesnt measure up to Sagers. They are using centrino processors up to 1.7 gigs and just this week they introduced the 128 meg video cards. The trick to that is the systems shipping with that card are about 3000. For 3 grand you can get a Sager that wont have to be upgraded in a year. The only major advantage that Dell has is their complete care warrenty. That would be the only reason why I would even consider buying a DELL. Maybe Sager should offer accidental coverage? (hint) You know, for those like me who cant walk and chew gum?


Jelly

I got my 5680 with 2 year exteneded and LCD coverage (aka accidents...)..

hmm i may have to add that

but does it cover spills and drops for the main part or just the LCD?


Jelly

In my experience with laptops and computers in general - if it doesnt break in the first year - it probably wont break in 3 years. The initial period of brun in is the time most components etc go.

My PIII 800Mhz dell with a 16MB M3 ATI card is still running just fine. I can still play most of the new games just fine (though somewhat low settings). I am upgrading purely because its getting a little slow on kernel compiles etc and I want something to last me into the Dx10 future. An initial outlay of $2000 when extended over 3 years (which I will almost certainly keep the new sager for) is $666 per year. Not to bad an investment in my opinion.

not to be critical or anything but i've never had anything but problems with the wireless un-intellimouse. microsoft has had to replace three of them to me so far in the last 6 months. these were brand new ones mind you not re furbs r anything apparently the recievers on them are weak and susseptable to changing operating frequencies, when the broadcast/recieve freq changes on either part the mouse it no longer works. just thought id let you know, the logitecs however run flawlessly. i have heard that the ms bluetooth mouse doesn't have the same problems as the others tho. hope this helps-jinx

Thx 4 ur feedback...one of my friends actually has one and he's had it for over a year with no problems whatsoever, plus I like the weight of the mouse too.

Hmm I had exactly the opposite problem...the Logitech cordless mouse was crap..(for me) the MS cordless has worked great without any hickups at all

(Just goes to show...YMMV)