Buying problem

[darkassasinzero]

I'm having trouble choosing between two labtops, one's by toshiba and is quite a good one, the other a dell but has better specs in some areas. They both cost the same, but the extended warranty for 3 years completecare from dell is only 200, while the same warranty for the toshiba one is 400.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10056519&logon=&langid=EN&dept=20001

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_notebook_9300?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs

Please give me your opinion on which one you'd choose.

[classicsoftware]

Neither:

Look at this (http://shopper.cnet.com/Acer_TravelMate_4502LMi_Pentium_M_725_1_6_GHz_15_T FT/4014-3121_9-31140029.html?tag=ob_210&orderby=210&sort=asc).

Let's see:

80 GB HDD
DVD-RW
Windows XP Pro

and did I mention: about $800.00 less...... :eek:

[papertech]

classicsoftware,

Great answer, good advice, beautiful delivery. You've made me proud!

kindest regards,
mary (papertech)

[CptFarlow]

Toshiba and Dell are good in my eyes...but I haven't heard much about Acer, nothing good anyways. I work at Best Buy in computer sales and in my professional opinion, Toshiba is better.

Now, I know I am a salesman but I dont get a dime of commision, and I dont care what you do, but think about the service plan with best buy. For desktops they are not as good unless you dont know jack about computers. But for laptops, they give you free batteries. Im not sure what the mfg. extended plans do about batteries, but considering they are 150 to 400 on some laptops, it can pay for itself.

im gonna research some acer stuff...let know know what you get

[classicsoftware]

I have sold Acer for years. They are one of the three brands of notebook's I will recommend. The others being IBM and Toshiba.

This is a spectacular value. Since I don't get a commission, I don't care what you get either. I would not buy a laptop from DELL, in fact I wouldn't buy anything from DELL.

[papertech]

Alrighty then........

CptFarlow opened the can of worms, got under "you know who's skin", time for (lowly) me to defend!

General concensus around here is Dell anything is inadequate. This concept is not shared by all. Personally, I love, use, and recommend Dell products, (except for the lowest end items) including their bulky laptops. (Yes, I said it, the darn things are heavy.) Besides weight, battery life is VERY important, unless like me, you are able to use the power cord most of the time. Most real techs have real issues from the past which forbid them from ever recommending Dell. (That's how I have been about Acer.)

If darkassasinzero would like to seach through this site, he'll find this issue debated on several occassions. He'll also find classicsoftware's point that Acer was bought out, not too long ago by Texas Instruments (right?) Even I (a long time Acer hater) feel this gives Acer more credibility. Classicsoftware seems to have loads of recent good experience with these Acer laptops, but sometimes forgets to give reasons for his passion.

So, it is best to know what you need, make sure the system you want includes what you need and (generally) stay away from any manufacturer's lowest priced anything.

Humbly yours..........

[classicsoftware]

He'll also find classicsoftware's point that Acer was bought out, not too long ago by Texas Instruments (right?) Even I (a long time Acer hater) feel this gives Acer more credibility. Classicsoftware seems to have loads of recent good experience with these Acer laptops, but sometimes forgets to give reasons for his passion.

Well let's correct some mis-information. I as listed above and in every single post I have made on the subject recommend people who are interested in lap-tops consider Acer, IBM, or Toshiba. I list them in alphabetic order.

The reasons I recommend these brands are simple in the almost 15 years I have been in the computer business, these companies have made the highest quality laptop computers and provided the highest level of service.

Now as for history, Acer purchased Texas Instruments, not the other way around. When they acquired the TI laptop technology is when I started recommending ACER laptops. They are nice laptops and they are very competitive. Are they as nice as a Think-Pad, the answer is no they are not. Is the Think-Pad better, it is, just not $800.00 better for a system with lesser specs.

I have personal experience with the model in I recommended. It is a nice unit and has better battery life than the items the original poster linked to. I did not just recommend ACER, I selected a specific model. I like it so much, I am planning to get one for myself especially since it's down to $1,059.00.

So without mentioning the evil ****, I explained why I choose to recommend ACER, IBM and Toshiba and why I picked the model in question.

And one more thing Papertech, if you check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site you will see several recalls for **** laptops with overheating and potential fire hazards and ZERO safety recalls for ACER.

[papertech]

Classicsoftware,

Thanks for the follow up. Again, you make me proud. You are so knowledgeable and I for one really appreciate it when you share details. Sorry, didn't mean to wash over the IBM and Toshiba thing. And I was hoping you would get more into the specifics of the relationship of Acer and TI.

I loved your original post, too, with the link to the specific Acer laptop you recommend. Seriously, you've made a believer out of me, especially after I reviewed all three links and compared apples to apples.

When it gets down to bashing is when I have to defend. But, friend, I don't mean to offend.

[CptFarlow]

Very good. I must make a correction. I mildy like Dell. Before I starting sales at Best Buy, I was a Geek Squad agent, and the computer I saw come back more than any other we EMachines and Dell. The only good experience I had with Dell is with a return, in which case they came to pick up the product the next day. As for their product...well, I'll let you be the judge.

My trust in Acer has grown greatly now. One thing I am unsure about is Averatec. My gf has a laptop of them and the power socket broke. When we sent it out they refused to repair it. Was this a unique experience or is it common to be unhappy with them?