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General discussion

New Laptop

Sep 15, 2004 6:51AM PDT

I am a undergraduate engineering student, and I'm interested in purchasing a new notebook. I'm particularly looking for lightweight, favorable aesthetical qualities, speed, battery life, and durability. So far I am considering the dell 700m, and the VAIO Z1. Please let me know any information you may have.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re: New Laptop
Sep 15, 2004 7:13AM PDT

Let me be blunt. Sony ranks bottom on service and support. I'm felt this one and can't say anything nice about their service because... there was none.

Bob

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Re: New Laptop
Sep 16, 2004 12:58AM PDT

Thanks, I guess its the Dell 700m.

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Re: New Laptop
Sep 16, 2004 8:06AM PDT

It's me again. I have also been really annoyed with the vulnerability of the Windows OS, for that reason I am also considering getting a mac notebook. Looking for the same qualities (practical portability is most essential), but I have no knowledge of macs (e.g. service quality, etc.). Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

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A little story...
Sep 16, 2004 8:32AM PDT

I'm sure Apple doesn't do this anymore but this is my story. A desktop Mac was having problems keeping its time and such. We found the motherboard battery was soldered in. No problem they thought... Until Apple service doesn't allow the use of a soldering iron to change out the battery. Fix? Replace the motherboard.

There are similar stories out there, but Mac has no monopoly on service issues.

Bob

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Re: New Laptop
Sep 16, 2004 8:34AM PDT

You have not been reading the forums if you don't know how Apple rates on repairs (quality) or technical support.

I just posted yesterday on other posts that Apple was #1 in the Consumer Reports poll for repairs and technical support (IBM is #2 for notebook technical support).

If Apple has want you want and you are willing to pay a premium on most of their models (but not all) then they are an excellent choice.

For instance a 17" Apple LCD powerbook weighs only 6.9 pounds -- a comparable 17" HP or Toshiba (Pentium 4M based) is over the 9 pound weight.

Apple has slot loading DVD/CD drives now which many people are installing on their PC notebooks (Panasonic drive).

The main thing is to have a group of people or some source for Apple support as people that use them are very dedicated to them.

I have found a dedicated forum for my Compaq X1000 series notebook so I am happy with that aspect as well.

You can't rely on the company technical support alone. Many issues you will have (viruses, wi-fi networking, firewalls, etc) are not the domain or responsibility of the notebook manufacturer.

So, check out X1000forums.com as an example and then check out the Apple forums (there are many of course) if you think that will work for you.

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Re: New Laptop
Sep 16, 2004 8:36AM PDT

The Consumer Reports issue is September 2004 on the newsstand. I just bought it 2-3 days ago.

Also PC magazine had a poll (which was cited in a recent USA today technical support article) and Apple was #1 there for notebook service as well ( they were not looking at repairs only service).