[ale] [Slightly OT] Laptop Recommendations/Warnings

[Tom Freeman]

On 05/14/2011 06:27 PM, George Allen wrote:
> I've been a loyal Thinkpad user for years, but I'm starting to have
> 2nd thoughts after my first Lenovo Thinkpad, a T500. It has started
> having stuck keys which I've never seen on the IBM branded ones, and
> the battery has about 1hour life now also. I haven't considered which
> brand I would switch too, since I've always really liked Thinkpads. My
> work computer is a Dell E6410, which is a decent box.
>    

I've had a modest number of used Thinkpads over the past few years, and 
really have liked them, with two still in use (sort of). So I will 
second Thinkpads in general.

I've also had the batteries for my Thinkpads pretty much descend to 
jello/mush/unusable lifetimes. A trip to Batteries Plus (although there 
are other options) fixed that situation for an almost reasonable cost. FWIW.

> On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 8:23 PM, JD<jdp at algoloma.com>  wrote:
>    
>> On 05/12/2011 07:27 PM, David Tomaschik wrote:
>>      
>>> All,
>>>
>>> I'm beginning to think about my next laptop -- my 2007-era System76 is
>>> down to under 1 hour battery life, and the screen occasionally
>>> flickers.  Ideally, I'm hoping to get away at the ~$700 price point,
>>> but it's looking like that's impossible for what I'm looking for.  My
>>> desires are:
>>>
>>> - Battery life for conferences (6+ hours would be ideal, 4+ is a must)
>>> - 4GB+ RAM
>>> - Full size keyboard
>>> - 13-15" screen
>>> - HDMI/VGA out
>>> - Core i3/i5
>>> - eSATA would be nice, but not a must
>>>
>>> Recommendations or models/brands to avoid are appreciated.
>>>
>>>        
>> I have ZERO idea about battery life, but Dell has 38% off coupons for
>> new systems sometimes.
>>
>> XPS 15
>> Latitude E5540
>> Inspiron 1558
>> HP Envy, but I never found it for less than $1200 after all the coupons.
>>
>> Get the 9 cell battery, but I doubt you'll get 5 hours.
>>
>> Anyway, after you find the model and config you like, start watching
>> slickdeals for that 38% off coupon. It comes up about every 4 months.
>>