[JMcQueen]

Im currently thinking of replacing my desktop with a new laptop and docking station so that I can still work on a large monitor if I want. I was wondering if people had any suggestions. The criteria Im working to:

1. Ideally a 15" screen to keep it portable

2. Must have a docking station available to it

3. As powerful as possible

4. Minimum of 60gb harddrive

 

[seraph]

thats still broad set of parameters.

whats your budget?

 

[JMcQueen]

I'd say upto 2k if it was something special but ideally around 1500.

 

[Stephen B]

Depends on your typical use, if you dont multitask then a 2 gig or higher Dothan cpu [2 meg centrino] is as powerfull as a P4-3.4 in most apps, If you want a real powerhouse get a Dell XPS2 Inspiron, 2.13 Dothan with a 6800 Ultra 256 graphics card and one of the best 17" widescreen displays available if you get creative with the warranty option I think around ?1400 plus VAT

 

[NikB]

First thing I would say is why do you want to replace the desktop? Why
not just buy a cheaper laptop to have alongside the desktop? There's
little point in selling a pc on as they're worth almost nothing.

If you want a good laptop I'd seriously consider a Mac Powerbook they're very good.

 

[W36 EJO]

I really don't get this whole 'desktop laptop' thing. Why not buy a cheap laptop if you want something mobile and keep the desktop. Your factoring in Docking stations whacking on a couple of hundred quid onto an already overpriced in terms of Desktop PC specs laptop. Then you have the added problem of expensive repairs and upgrades. Desktops are far superior in every way if its actually for a desk.

Anyway, if you have 2k to spend and have your mind set on a laptop, go to dell, toshiba, sony etc and just get the best laptop for your money. Every time the money goes up, the laptop has something better than the cheaper one.

 

[andymac]

Dont go near a Sony, or Dell for that money I would Only Buy IBM it
wont be as powerfull as the dell but it will be near indestructable,
the battery life will be excellent and the onboard hardware security is
un-cracakable, Sony' and Vaios are about the worst laptop you can buy
in terms of build quality.

I know this as I was in charge of a fleet of 300 laptops, IBM's after 2
years we replaced the IBM's with Sony's, Compaqs, And Dells, one year
later we had to bring the old IBM's out of retirement as nearly every
sony had a duff battery and had cracked its screen hinges, and all the
dells had either faulty PSU's or screen hinges and cables on the screen.

Everyone looks at features with laptops but believe me that is not the
primary concern I have serviced SOOOO many I can only reccomend looking
at build quality and sturdiness - cause one day YOU WILL DROP IT

Please please look at an IBM Thinkpad not the trendiest out there but very very well built

 

[W36 EJO]

Dont go near a Sony, or Dell for that money I would Only Buy IBM it wont be as powerfull as the dell but it will be near indestructable, the battery life will be excellent and the onboard hardware security is un-cracakable, Sony' and Vaios are about the worst laptop you can buy in terms of build quality.

I know this as I was in charge of a fleet of 300 laptops, IBM's after 2 years we replaced the IBM's with Sony's, Compaqs, And Dells, one year later we had to bring the old IBM's out of retirement as nearly every sony had a duff battery and had cracked its screen hinges, and all the dells had either faulty PSU's or screen hinges and cables on the screen.

Everyone looks at features with laptops but believe me that is not the primary concern I have serviced SOOOO many I can only reccomend looking at build quality and sturdiness - cause one day YOU WILL DROP IT

Please please look at an IBM Thinkpad not the trendiest out there but very very well built

100% agree with Andy. I bought myself an IBM Thinkpad a few years ago and the design on them still hasn't changed! They look poo, but they are the best you will get in terms of build quality.

I never mention IBM though anymore because no one will take my advice as they always say 'but they look cack', get bored after a while trying to tell them it will be the best one for them.

 

[Milkfloat]

I don't agree with staying away from Dell.  We have 1500 Latitudes in our organisation.  They rarely go wrong and when they do the service from Dell is next day without much fuss.  I even had a guy out next day when I was in a tiny village 300km away from civilisation in South Africa.  Dell would not sell as many as they do if they were crap.

 

[andymac]

Dells are made in the same Taiwaness factory as Sony's, there are only
5 factorys in Taiwan that make laptops and they make the laptops for
most Big manufacturers, HP DELL SONY GATEWAY, the manufacturers
will then assmble other components outside Taiwan, Memory and PSU's

However IBM Manufacture there laptops elsewhare Japan Scotland
and Texas and as such dont put the engineering down to a thrid
party in Taiwan, Milkfloat dont want to arguie about the Dells but

1 you get good service as you a big corporate customer

2 you have had to use the warrantys on your laptops, of the 300 IBM's I managed we only used the warranty twice in 2 years!!!

3 I know where the Dells are built, the standard of plastics used in
them is infereior to products from Panasonic and IBM full stop

 

[Stephen B]

Well I cant fault the quality of a THinkpad, had 2 of em, but original poster did ask for as powerful as possible, by your own admissions Thinkpads arent that quick.

For balance we bought 3 Inspiron 8500 laptops 2 years ago, they have been in one of the worst environments possible [NC machine shop], 3 months ago one failed as some muppet tripped over the power cable when transporting it. Other than that and the fact they look very grubby scratched and dirty they have performed perfectly.

Statements like I wouldn't touch "x" or "y" with a barge pole merely confirm that you are giving no thought of who the target buyer is for these products.

IBM - most reliable but slow and expensive

Dell - much faster pound for pound with above acceptable build quality

Sony - for TT and Mini owners []

 

[Milkfloat]

I don't know the quality of IBM, I have only had one Thinkpad, which was fine for the year I used it. All all laptops can fail, we have some Military spec machines that can run underwater that have still failed. The fact that we are a corporate customer does have a bearing, but next day on site promise is a promise which even Home Users should get. For 99% of people especially home users Dell offers great value for money and should not be discounted. Dell has one of the biggest market share not only on Home PC's but also in the corporate world. They will never innovate new technologies but copy proven technology, thus keeping costs down. If you need the ultimate in cutting edge Dell will not offer this, then again neither will IBM.

 

[W36 EJO]

Well I cant fault the quality of a THinkpad, had 2 of em, but original poster did ask for as powerful as possible, by your own admissions Thinkpads arent that quick.

For balance we bought 3 Inspiron 8500 laptops 2 years ago, they have been in one of the worst environments possible [NC machine shop], 3 months ago one failed as some muppet tripped over the power cable when transporting it. Other than that and the fact they look very grubby scratched and dirty they have performed perfectly.

Statements like I wouldn't touch "x" or "y" with a barge pole merely confirm that you are giving no thought of who the target buyer is for these products.

IBM - most reliable but slow and expensive

Dell - much faster pound for pound with above acceptable build quality

Sony - for TT and Mini owners []

Erm... Saying what you have just said is like saying ALL VW's are slower than Audi's.....

 

[W36 EJO]

I would have no problems at all buying a Dell....IBM ARE a much sturdier, well built laptop.

Dell are ok with service, if your the right customer and if you pay the right money for the service. Dell use cheap parts and are put together in a cheap fashion. IBM have found one design that works and works well, and have stuck with it.

IBM don't look as nice...thats their only downfall, but you are getting the cream of the crop in terms of reliability and decent parts.

 

[Milkfloat]

Oh by the way, all the PC manaufcatures use parts made in China / Taiwan including IBM and Dell.  The only Dells that are assembled in China are ones for the Far East Market.  European Dells are assembled in Ireland.  So there is no difference between IBM and Dell on that front.

 

[b6x]

For the record, IBM have sold it's ThinkPad and desktop line to
China largest computer manufacturer Lenovo... so I'm pretty sure
it'll be rammed with chinese parts.

That said, having worked for them for 6 years and therefore a
ThinkPad user for the same time - the build quality is far
superior to any others I've used. I can't honestly remember a
single fault of any of our laptops (in a team of 30+ people). As
for looks - wtf? It's a computer - not a
fashion statement. If you're into that, get one of those
Dell XPS(?) things - ugly as sin and the perfect platform
for your neon USB cables. (that's if you don't get bored waiting for Dell's website to get you to the products page)

 

[Stephen B]

Well I cant fault the quality of a THinkpad, had 2 of em, but original poster did ask for as powerful as possible, by your own admissions Thinkpads arent that quick.

For balance we bought 3 Inspiron 8500 laptops 2 years ago, they have been in one of the worst environments possible [NC machine shop], 3 months ago one failed as some muppet tripped over the power cable when transporting it. Other than that and the fact they look very grubby scratched and dirty they have performed perfectly.

Statements like I wouldn't touch "x" or "y" with a barge pole merely confirm that you are giving no thought of who the target buyer is for these products.

IBM - most reliable but slow and expensive

Dell - much faster pound for pound with above acceptable build quality

Sony - for TT and Mini owners []

Erm... Saying what you have just said is like saying ALL VW's are slower than Audi's.....

I was being more than a little sarcastic !, and you have serious fanboy tendancies to boot []

anyhoo none of this manufacturer squabbling is really helping original poster, apologies for helping to steer off topic

 

[W36 EJO]

Whats a fanboy?!

 

[Stephen B]

Whats a fanboy?!

someone who turns an unassociated conversation into a VW/Audi debate, but please lets not go there []

 

[W36 EJO]

Thought it might have been something along the lines of being very happy!!