notebooks

[325 eta]

i want to get a notebook, right now i looking at dell and gateway, the one from gatway is the M305xl with the accidental protection program it comes up to 1200.buck, and the one from dell is the Inspiron 8600 for about 1500 with the same protection. i dont know sjack about notebooks i want to know what you guys think? dell or gateway or some other co. ? thank for the help .
gateway

dell
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[Rob]

I went with gateway simply because they have actual stores that I can take my computer to and say "FIX IT"

[mgold]

screw them both. Blow the wad and get the Apple 17" PowerBook :D

[Jon325i]

About a month ago I purchased a Toshiba Sattelite (M30 model chassis) laptop with a Intel Centrino processor. For the most part I like it a lot. Thin design, nice keyboard layout and cursor pad. The Centrino processor allows me to use my laptop for 3.5 to 4.0 hours on a full charge. Not too shabby.

Now the Gateway suggestion is worth serious consideration because in the event something goes wrong, you can take it to a Gateway store for repair work. With my Toshiba, if something happens I have to box it up and send it off somewhere to be fixed (I pay the shipping + insurance). The turn-around could easily be a week or more. You may be faced with a similar scenario with a Dell lap top.

I know Apple has some stores in select cities so having that service available to you is a major plus.

Jon

[mgold]

Unfortunately we don't have a repair policy for accidental damage, only manufacturers defects. As for repairs, some Apple Authorized Service Providers can perform repairs as well as Apple Retail Stores, otherwise its mail-in repair on our portables. One nice thing is that Apple portables have a global warranty, so if it fails while in France or Japan, you can get it repaired there.

[Rob]

when I bought mine, I upgraded the factory warranty to cover just about anything, accidental damage, whatever. Well worth it, I shot my last laptop with a damn BB gun, that sucked

[325 eta]

when I bought mine, I upgraded the factory warranty to cover just about anything, accidental damage, whatever. Well worth it, I shot my last laptop with a damn BB gun, that sucked

[MattM20]

my dad got a HP Notebook 512mb DDR ram, 2ghz P4, 40gb HD, DVD/CD-RW combo, 15" screen, 64mb video card for around $750. It was refurbished, but still came with a warranty and was in immaculate condition, no defects or blemishes. Just throwing out the idea to check out refurbished systems from the factory cause you can get amazing deals.

[Nick325is]

I have a Dell Latitude D600 laptop. The only problems with it is that I have had problems with it since I got it. It came with faulty RAM. However, once I got the problems sorted out it has been working great. It was about 2000 with the complete warrenty. The warrenty works even if I beat the computer with a hammer in front of Dell....haha. They actually told me this when I got the computer.


Nick

[325 eta]

i think im going with the gateway

[bmwguru007]

In case of a hardware problem Dell will send a tech to your location to fix the problem. At your request they can also send the necessary repair part(s) directly to your doorstep if you prefer to do your own repairs. I've used the second option three times on two computers with no problems. I like to do my own work, whether it be on my car or my computer :).

[spencers]

screw them both. Blow the wad and get the Apple 17" PowerBook :D

Come on, get the best! I love the 17". Got to play on my fathers customers powerbook.

[EVOIIIM3]

screw them both. Blow the wad and get the Apple 17" PowerBook :D

That's what I'm using right now, yes get one, they are sweet!!
It even runs WIn XP for me....

[Super Eta]

when I bought mine, I upgraded the factory warranty to cover just about anything, accidental damage, whatever. Well worth it, I shot my last laptop with a damn BB gun, that sucked

Yeah WTF!

[e9nine]

What are your priorities?
Battery life, Weight, Power, After Sales Support?

I used to work @ Best Buy and man, was computer selling the most aggravting thing ever? THird Party Warranties are like a gamble...sometimes you will actually use them and sometimes you won't. If you change your laptop or computer every 1-2 years its your call on the warranty. Depreciation on electronic goods is totally absurd. All the products have a pretty short "window of opportunity" and you are better of buying towards the release of a new model to replace the one you want... you can save oddles of money there ;).

Don't use a store credit card or go for the zero interest deal UNLESS YOU KNOW YOU CAN STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE RULES!!!! Most credit cards cover damage done to your purchases in stores anyway so you're good to go. What sucks is when you're actually intending to pay cash, call your credit card company and ask them if they automatically cover your item, if yes; swipe and pay off the entire purchase on your first statement.

Go to different stores...tell the sales guys to BACK THE FUCK OFF :roll: and do your research @ home or on independent sites...