[GLLUG] Good deal on laptops

[STeve Andre']

On Monday 12 January 2009 14:28:28 Michael George wrote:
> On Mon, January 12, 2009 2:03 pm, Clay Dowling wrote:
> > My laptop went up in smoke last week with a bad hard disk controller.  I
> > was going to do without for a while, then I found ThinkPad T43 notebooks
> > at Buy.com.  It's not the latest and greatest machine, but it has a
> > reputation for working well with Linux, and at $300 it was the best deal
> > out there.
> >
> > Anybody looking for a laptop, you might want to pick one up.
> > http://tinyurl.com/5mu3v4
> >
> > Mine is on the way, hope to have it by February.  It's delaying my
> > purchase of riding pants for my motorcycle, but probably worth it.
>
> I was surprised how economical a Linux laptop from Dell could be:
> http://tinyurl.com/8fbpqj
>
> Not quite as low-priced as Clay's suggestion, but if you want one with a
> bit more punch and guaranteed to work with Linux, this is a way to go,
> too.

Just remember there is a world of difference between a ThinkPad and a
Dell in terms of quality.  I'd take the $300 used thinkpad any day.  I've
dealt with too many Dell, Toshiba, Sony and HP laptops that have had
various stupid problems, wern't built right, or didn't have spare parts
for them.  I admit that I am a ThinkPad snob, but rarely have they let
me down.  Lenovo has kept the quality up since they acquired the
thinkpad rights.  I'm using a W500 now and its great.

Anyway, keep in mind the availability of parts down the road, and
turnaround time for repairs when looking at new laptops.

--STeve Andre'