Looking for a long lasting laptop

[Tim_axe]

Yeah, the one I linked to doesn't have a CD-ROM drive either...I didn't notice that at first. You'd need to get your own External one...

I pointed out Sagers because AlienWare was mentioned. Generally, their laptops are the same because they get their chassis from the same suppliers. Sager's market is geared towards the mobile professional, and their laptops are generally Desktop-Replacements. The battery life isn't the greatest when you have a P4 3.4GHz EE w/ Mobility Radeon 9700 video card w/ TV Tuner and 7200RPM HDDs. ( http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/n...oductType=8790 ) Note: PC Torque generally has better prices.

Since most of their laptops use the Mobility Radeon 9600 and above, and only a couple use Centrino processors, I doubt they'll last 5 hours even with a second battery...maybe a third/fourth battery?


The3ntropy has some good tips to improve battery life for your purchase. Check them out

[SirDice]

I'm very happy with my Dell Inspiron 9100. It's a bit heavy though, about 4.5Kg. But it's a killer, P4 (HT) 3.2GHz, 1GB ram, 80GB hdd, 15 inch 1920x1600 display, ATI 9700 dual monitor support (VGA+DVI+TV-out), firewire, lots of usb ports, dvd-burner, wifi optional, bluetooth optional. Basicly a big desktop in a laptop housing.

You can remove the standard battery pack (which includes a subwoofer) and replace it with a bigger one (more capacity, no subwoofer).

I use it for my other hobby: VJ'ing

[Shrekkie]

I have a Compaq Evo n600c, Its a P3 1200Mhz ....

OK so far I dropped it in the snow, had it overheat multiple times (till it shuts itself) by installing gentoo ( an acpi problem, which i got solved now ), I spilled a glass of wine over it ( after 3 days of drying it was ok again ) and some few minor bangs from my hand on it ....

So you see this one is pretty solid and had to endure pretty much. I must say this is one compaq that really surprised me. For me it seems unbreakable. Heck I'll even email this thread to my nast ict-admin. I bet he'll be pleased ....

Cheers

[Negative]

In its latest edition, Consumer Reports has a report on desktops and laptops.
Here's a little rundown:

Reliability
Based on 57,000 laptops purchased between 1999 and 2003. Percentages shown are laptops that ever had a repair or a serious problem.

Apple 17%
Toshiba 18%
Sony 18%
IBM 19%
HP 20%
Dell 21%
Compaq 22%
Gateway 23%

Tech support
Based on "solved problems", "support staff" and "waiting on phone"

Apple 82%
IBM 69%
Gateway 64%
Dell 60%
Toshiba 59%
HP 55%
Sony 52%
Compaq 49%

The ratings

Budget
1. Compaq Presario 2100Z 2500+ Athlon XP-M - $1,000 - Battery Life: 3.5hrs
2. Dell Inspiron 1150 2.6GHz Celeron - $850 - Battery Life: 4.25hrs
3. IBM Thinkpad G40, 2.4GHz Pentium 4 - $1,367 - Battery Life: 3.75hrs
4. HP Pavilion ze5700 2.8GHz Celeron - $974 - Battery Life: 2.25

The Dell Inspiron is the top choice for CR (price/quality).

Workhorse
1. Gateway M350X, 2.8GHz Mobile P4M - $1,500 - Battery Life: 4hrs
2. Compay Presario R3000T 2.8GHz Mobile P4M - $1,574 - Battery Life: 3.75hrs
3. HP Pavilion zx5000 2.8GHz Mobile P4M - $1,424 - Battery Life: 3.75hrs
4. Dell Inspiron 5150 2.8GHz Mobile P4M - $1,576 - Battery Life: 3.5hrs

The HP is the top choice.

Slim and Light
1. Sony Vaio PCG-V505 1.4GHz Pentium M - $1,750 - Battery Life: 4.25hrs
2. Toshiba Portege M205-S810 1.5GHz Pentium M - $2,400 - Battery Life: 4hrs
3. Dell Inspiron 300m 1.2GHz Pentium M - $1,537 - Battery Life: 2.5hrs
4. IBM Thinkpad X31 1.4GHz Pentium M - $2,283 - Battery Life: 4.25hrs

The Sony is the top choice.

5hrs or more is going to be difficult unless you buy a second battery pack... all of these laptops have at least a 40GB hard disk... the only ones less than 6 pounds are the Slim and Light ones.

Hope this helps a little.