Laptop Advice

Thinkpads vs Dell vs HPQ vs The World / 2006-05-25

Every so often, it will go something like this:

"Oh, Mike, you're computer nerd! And I'm getting a laptop! What kind should I get?"

or:

"Omigod you're a CS major!? What kind of laptop should I buy?"

And sometimes the somber:

"Yeah, laptop - go."

And this comes in such a manner as if the answer will be a one-liner endall. I'm to respond with a brand and a model, perhaps the price with tax and shipping, and deliver a well-timed high-five with a smile to the inquirer. Unfortunately, the proper response, albeit concise, is not short. Fortunately, this question has come up more and more often through electronic medium rather than verbally, allowing me to throw a lot of bulky words together in a semi-entertaining article that almost sums up a full and encompassing response.

There's a question as to why I have to make the response so grossly complex. Firstly, there's many a variable that go into the formula. Among others: Mac or PC? What's your budget? What do you want to do with it? Are their fancy features you can't live without? Secondly, there is the question as to what you want your laptop to say about you (I will expound). And finally, as a computer science engineering major and self-proclaimed uber-nerd, I've found it's possible to woo women with well calibrated language that incorporates, at times, words that few others can understand. Sometimes (read: often) it's laced with BS, but I'll try to keep this article on-topic and informative.

I'm going to make a few assumptions. They may be quite inaccurate - which may make the rest of this article (and the former) worthless. You're either on a mildly strict budget (you didn't just win the lottery) or you have an appreciation for the money in your parental trust that you'd rather not waste. You aren't a hardcore gamer (which is almost an oxy-moron as true gamers don't play on their laptops), so the Super-5-Million graphics card with dual attach-coolers isn't needed. You're practical - but you understand there's something sexy about a thin laptop.

And here's where I say something like: "Let me go ahead and give you the advice I give everyone.."

Simply put: Thinkpads are the bomb chronic. Introduced in 1992, they've been the staple for people who know their stuff for more than a decade. You'll notice the original models were allegedly analogous to the BMW series labels. As a proud owner of my third Thinkpad (600E, X20, and T42), I commonly refer to these machines as the Mercedes Benz of laptops. There's a few good reasons why a larger majority of laptop owners in the nerd dept (students, teachers and the like) roll with these. Built rock solid, they will last you for many years to come (I still use my old X20 and the 600E is still in use). Manufacturer Lenovo is rumored to be continuing the great support IBM provided. And the keyboard design was developed by God - honestly, it's like a finely tuned piano.

Recommended model: The beautiful X-series. These are damn expensive (the X I had was purchased used). The T series also rocks the house. Of course, the R is perfectly suitable for those on a budget.

And here's where you say: "Awesome! Thanks a lot."

High-five delivered and we go on our seperate ways.

Then you either know it or find out and come back to me: "Hey! They are a little more expensive than [insert lesser model here]... What do you think of [them]"?

[Them] is usually Dell or HP/Compaq (HPQ). Dell's have very decent support (comparable to Lenovo). If you really can't get or don't want a Thinkpad, I'd be perfectly pleased if you wanted to hang out with the Dell Guy. Their machines are fine, mediocre, working. They'll get the job done. And they have very cometitive pricing - which understandably seems to be the most important factor these days. But it's difficult to advertise quality - and Dell is a clear #2 to Lenovo Thinkpad.

Alright - I'd give this spiel even if [Them] was HPQ. Then I'd go on to warn you of the dangers of HPQ even if [Them] was someone else. So, here I go - and in much more detail than I'd give verbally:

Being the family computer nerd can sometimes mean long hours of "Make this work.. now!". Eventually, word gets out that a young "gifted one" can install a printer. Things snowball and before you know it exemplified person is studying this stuff at college with a resume of many computer-related jobs. I've personally spent many, many hours doing a lot of interesting things with computers and even more hours doing really dull things - with clients ranging family to friends' families to small and medium sized companies. And if there's one thing I've learned in all of my experiences, it's the shockingly poor quality of HPQ machines.

I won't go into some horror stories about some of the terribly awkward shortcuts the companies took in making their machines. They've been historically lower quality and tend to not last very long. That's not to say they aren't improving - but after a few years working summers fixing these and others, I've vowed to never purchase one for myself nor advise anyone to do so.

What you'll actually do

You'll digest all of the advice that I spent so much time telling or typing up to you and you'll most likely end up purchasing some HPQ. This will happen even after I tell you it's going to. About a year later it'll break in some way. The lucky ones purchased a Dell and are still pretty happy with it. The Thinkpad owners thank me for all the women, or men, they are attracting at their study groups or cafes.

"What about [This or that, Apple, Alienware]?"

Alright, so of course there are lots of other options. I've known people who swear by Fujitsu, I'm actually a fan of the sleek version of the Panasonic Toughbook, and Apple does have a great and mature product. Apple is tough to advise on - if you want a Mac, then buy Apple. It's pretty simple.

What does it REALLY boil down to?

I'd highly recommend paying a little extra for the quality you're going to get with a Thinkpad (or maybe a Dell) over some of the Playschool machines (namely: HPQ). It'll be well worth it when it lasts you longer than the inferior. If you're going to chill with a non-Thinkpad sleek (small) laptop, make sure to get yourself something with a full-size keyboard. Also very important is the weight - if you're going to use it like a laptop and travel around with it then anything over 4.5lbs is going to be a big burden. This of course conflicts with price a bit - but it's well worth it.

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