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General discussion

Toshiba M35x-349 v. Gateway 4530GZ

Mar 17, 2005 2:08AM PST

Hello,

I am a graduate student who needs a thin & light notebook on a grad student's budget. I have a desktop so this would not be a replacement. Mostly I would be using it for working on schoolwork, research, and powerpoint presentations. I would also like to be able to play a DVD on airplane rides. I need a long-lasting battery and would like this laptop to have a pretty long life. I'm looking more "middle of the road." I've looked at several brands & models and am thinking about getting a Toshiba M35x-349 or a Gateway 4530GZ. They seem pretty equivalent in terms of specs, but the Gateway will save me a couple hundred dollars. I don't know much about Gateway laptops - are they good? Any opinions on these? What would you recommend? Do you have any other recommendations based on my criteria? THANKS!

Discussion is locked

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I'd wait.
Mar 17, 2005 2:14AM PST

Research Toshiba's little static glitch and you may want to wait a few months for that cloud to pass by.

We had have a few GW laptops in the office over the years. For us, it was pretty boring since they just worked fine.

Bob

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what would you recommend?
Mar 17, 2005 2:58AM PST

thanks for the input. when you say GW worked just fine, did you mean they only worked OK or you had no problems? I am leaning towards the GW b/c it's more affordable, thinner, and lighter. But I want to make the right decision as I need this to last awhile. do you have any other suggestions based on my needs?

Thanks.
Janelle

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The GWs worked OK and we had no problems...
Mar 17, 2005 4:59AM PST

That is for its day, Windows on those machines didn't have any more problems than any other machine.

Is that clearer?

As to last awhile, that depends on the owner. Many drop them or bang them around so I don't thing anything less than the TOUGHBOOK would do for them. Also, we have that nagging 64-bit wave on the horizon. In fact, our office will not acquire any non-64-bit units for the company.

Bob

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By last awhile, I mean won't crash...
Mar 17, 2005 2:18PM PST

I've heard GWs crash after a year or two, but I've also heard good things about them too. I guess I don't want buyer's remorse, so I keep ruminating about the decision. I just need something mostly for word processing, excel databases, and powerpoint presentations, plus I'd live to be able to watch a DVD on airplane rides. I don't want or need anything super great and need to work with the budget I have. I hear Toshiba's are wonderful but you're saying there's some sort of problem? Does anyone have a recommendation for a middle of the line laptop for what I need it for????

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Just sharing..
Mar 17, 2005 8:37PM PST

We picked up a few compaq 64-bit refurbs for 720 to 829 from compgeeks and they are great. Some coworkers are doing same after we took the initial plunge. At that price and what's in the box you can't complain too much in year 2 or 3 when you replace it again for whatever reason.

As to the "won't crash", then a PC or Mac isn't for you. I'd yet to find any machine that doesn't crash one day or another.

Maybe you need to want for the next generation of machines?

Bob

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i meant like will outlast my grad school career
Mar 18, 2005 12:37AM PST

ok so i don't have the best "computer language". Happy I want something that will last a few years and won't just die one day while I'm working on my thesis or dissertation. I need it to last a while, provided I'm not hard on it, etc. So you've had good luck with the compaqs?

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won't just die one day while I'm working on my thesis or dis
Mar 18, 2005 1:46AM PST

Nothing is made that can meet this criteria. However it doesn't stop us from using them in spite of what glitch may happen in the future.

I read what you are writing, but no maker will tell you they can meet your criteria.

Again, the laptops at the office last 4 years without much ado. Outside of the occasional drop or such, we just don't have big issues with the name brands. I think we must treat the units pretty well and that helps.

It also helps we are paranoic about backup.

The office has a collection of IBM, Toshiba, Dell, HP/Compaq, and sadly Sony. The Sony lot is a disaster so we won't do that again. Toshiba has some current glitch so I'd pass till midyear.

Bob