Laptop Was Stolen, need suggestions for replacement

[Choppie]

Hey guys,

My GO TO laptop was stolen and I'm looking for some advice on a replacement.

I have possibly 5 beat-up laptops that are in ok condition that were for the most part, donations from clients when they upgraded to a new one. One laptop that was donated, was a Dell Inspiron 1721 and I fitted it with a nice 120GB SSD and 4gb of ram. It worked PERFECTLY for what I needed it for; Installed Adobe CS6 Master Collection with witch I used souliey for updating websites and general facebook stuff, including email--nothing more. The nice, large screen was perfect for using photoshp and dreamweaver. Well that's the laptop that got stolen and I'm looking to replace it.

I understand the Inspiron line is more or less the consumer models and aren't as durable as the other models, which is why I'm posting here.

I do need the 17" high resolution screen, but of my list below, what would you suggest I focus my dollars on.

NOTE: I'm looking to buy a used one on ebay.

Vostro, Latitude, Precision, Studio.


I haven't stayed up on the CPU models, so what chips should I want to look for? I have done some searching and found many nice deals in the 300 to 450 dollar range.

NOTE: no matter what the OS/hard drive is, I will be installing my own 240GB SSD and a fresh Windows 7 and dual boot with LINUX MINT 17.1

Thanks guys for this awesome forum...

Chippie

 

[coffee]

Hey guys,

My GO TO laptop was stolen and I'm looking for some advice on a replacement.

I have possibly 5 beat-up laptops that are in ok condition that were for the most part, donations from clients when they upgraded to a new one. One laptop that was donated, was a Dell Inspiron 1721 and I fitted it with a nice 120GB SSD and 4gb of ram. It worked PERFECTLY for what I needed it for; Installed Adobe CS6 Master Collection with witch I used souliey for updating websites and general facebook stuff, including email--nothing more. The nice, large screen was perfect for using photoshp and dreamweaver. Well that's the laptop that got stolen and I'm looking to replace it.

I understand the Inspiron line is more or less the consumer models and aren't as durable as the other models, which is why I'm posting here.

I do need the 17" high resolution screen, but of my list below, what would you suggest I focus my dollars on.

NOTE: I'm looking to buy a used one on ebay.

Vostro, Latitude, Precision, Studio.


I haven't stayed up on the CPU models, so what chips should I want to look for? I have done some searching and found many nice deals in the 300 to 450 dollar range.

NOTE: no matter what the OS/hard drive is, I will be installing my own 240GB SSD and a fresh Windows 7 and dual boot with LINUX MINT 17.1

Thanks guys for this awesome forum...

Chippie

I would look more into a Lenovo with a i7 in it. I got one off ebay pretty darn cheap. I think I paid something like 450.00 used and I run Linux mint 17.1 on it. I have windows 7 on it but I really do not use that. Screams along great and didnt even add a SSD drive to it.

I just think Lenovo is better than dell.

coffee

 

[altrenda]

I just think Lenovo is better than dell.
coffee

Not starting an argument, but wanting to learn.... Why?
Build quality, performance, serviceability, parts availability, drivers, support?
I support both all the time, and hear this all the time. I personally don't see much of a difference between the 2 in the business grade models.

 

[SOHOtechRob]

I would look more into a Lenovo with a i7 in it.

If you go Lenovo, make sure to get Extra SuperFish on it.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Out of the list t

NOTE: I'm looking to buy a used one on ebay.

Vostro, Latitude, Precision, Studio.

Out of that list, I'd choose a Latitude or Precision. They're both business grade models, Precisions are more professional workstations (graphics, like CAD)....thus more expensive, and a bit heavier and more thirsty on the battery.

I'm good with an i5 CPU, 8 gigs of RAM.

But personally I prefer Lenovo Thinkpad series. I find them to be much more durable that Dells biz line......we sell and service lots of both. Yet every couple of years, I always get a Thinkpad for myself. When I've used other brands and models...they've not lasted a year with me.

...but problem is....15.6" screen....not 17".

 

[coffee]

Not starting an argument, but wanting to learn.... Why?
Build quality, performance, serviceability, parts availability, drivers, support?
I support both all the time, and hear this all the time. I personally don't see much of a difference between the 2 in the business grade models.

Well, I say that because the support I get from dell is pretty poor. You can have the best product in the world but if the support isnt there its not worth buying.

I do not find a lot wrong with their actual hardware but should you run into any issues they tend to drop the ball.

Of course this is my personal opinion. If you like dell thats great. Especially if your not buying it directly from dell (ebay). I have bought dell laptops off ebay for customers before and have been pretty happy. I also find that dell laptops are kinda like tanks. They do last a long time.

However, Should you need to interact with them on a support issue its kinda lack luster at best. Its almost like they really do not care.

coffee

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

I just think Lenovo is better than dell.
coffee

Your judgement wouldn't be clouded by your latest experience, would it?

 

[AlexanderCS]

Your judgement wouldn't be clouded by your latest experience, would it?

It would if it were me. In this case it'd be an eBay or a secondhand purchase, but if we're just talking experiences with Dell or Lenovo as a whole... I'd factor in Hardware + Support. What's happened to him recently would certainly make me less prone to recommend Dell as a company that backs their products.

Personally I've had good experiences with Lenovos. On a consumer level you might have to be careful, but that's the same with most manufacturers.

 

[AndyM]

I recently purchased a Dell Precision M6500 for a client. Twin hard drives, upto 32GB RAM, 17.1", Intel Core i7 - It's nice!

http://www.pcworld.com/product/664590/precision-m6500.html

Admittedly a few years old, but the example I got was good.

Andy

 

[Choppie]

Thanks Guys,

I'm poking around ebay now, zeroing in and adding a bunch of Dell Precision M6500 17" to my watch list. The very between 300 and 500 dollars, all look NICE for the price. Some are wide screen which I don't like too much. Some are 2.4GHz chips and some 1.8GHz Quad Core....not sure which is better.

I was a ThinkPad FAN BOY when they were called IBM ThinkPad, best laptop for the price. Blew 2500 bucks on a T series and it kicked ass until the some issue on the motherboard was causing it to not power up. Lights and all would show but no boot--nothing. Was out of warranty so I went with a Panasonic Toughbook CF-52 for another 2500 bucks. LOVE IT until my cat peed on it doing a nice number on the motherboard. Believe it or not, after a month of drying it, its back in service--but the mouse pad is dead.

Learned my lesson on spending 2,500 on a laptop thinking its going to last longer--never again.

Awesome thread...thanks guys...

Choppie

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

For carrying around laptops, I almost never need one these days, but always opt for something I already have and is serviceable. It doesn't need to be fancy, just functional and easily replaceable if stolen or damaged.

 

[coffee]

Your judgement wouldn't be clouded by your latest experience, would it?

Yes it would. After I checked around I see others share the same opinion.

coffee

 

[Choppie]

I have been looking on ebay and found that there are several Precision M6500 laptops within my price range. My main use for this laptop will be Photoshop and Dreamweaver CS6. I noticed there are many different versions of the i7 CPU and either INVIDA or ATI graphics. My feeling is that none of this will matter because the older laptop I was using did an OK job (Insprion 1721). But I just have to ask just because I'm into this stuff...

Which is the better i7 CPU
OR will an i5 be just as good (and have the laptop run a little cooler)
OR even an i3 and have a cooler laptop and extended battery life)
Which is the better graphics card...

Thanks guys....I'm getting close to buying one....

Choppie

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

You can just find CPU benchmarks to compare specific CPUs...
Didn't know this was for a heavier graphics use laptop...but you can judge the price differences against the specific CPU in benchmark charts. Graphics software like photochop 'n CS suite love cores and speed. As well as tons of RAM and fast disk.

For Precisions..all models are ICV Certified..so they typically have good nVidia Quadro cards or ATI Fire cards. Love 'em both. Again..they, and the drivers, ICV Certified...so they work very well and are stable with standard graphics software.

 

[sapphirescales]

Check out the Dell Latitude E7440. It's a great laptop. Target Corporation has rolled them out for their entire organization and I can't help but love them. They have a touchscreen model too if you dig that sort of thing. I'd love to get one, but I've got too many computers already. Still.......it's temping.

 

[Choppie]

Found this

Dell Precision M6600

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECIS...141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9addc56d

 

[MDD1963]

I have had great luck with Hp's Pavilion G7 series of laptops (this one is a 2 year old g7-1312nr), which use AMD's A4 dual core APU; purchased one for me, and one for my stepson, and each has been 100% problem free for 2+ years (did one easy restore due to stepson'
s forgotten password, but, hardly HPs fault!), and with each at sub-$500 cost....