Greetings,
I am in the market for a new laptop and I am not concerned about
brand.  I understand that there are makers of laptops for most of the
major companies and you might save some money buying from them. Who
are they?  Any advantage to buying from them? Any ideas or
suggestions, who has the best quality, price  etc., I am looking to
keep the price under $1,200. Any features to look for   thanks

Hi my name is Divakar Reddy. The best one would be Dell. the reason is
for any Laptop the main concern should be the customer service. Dell
has the best Customer Service. The specification would depend on what
are your requirements. When u call the Dell Customer service or some
phone number in Dell they will help you to decide that also.

Have fun in this... Dont have much time to explain..

Regards
Divakar Reddy

Hi, 1tim - I'm commenting becuase I don't feel there is a definitive
answer to this question.

I work in one of those "local stores" (actually we're a nationwide
company, but independent franchises in most cities.) in the business
sales department.

My general advice:

1) Please don't buy an HP/Compaq. They have lots of problems. Likewise
IBM. And Dell. (I don't sell Dell. I just hear from my clients how bad
the service and support are afterwards. We have kind of a saying. If
we lose a bid (an oppotunity to sell a number of computers at once,
for example 20 new workstations to replace old ones) to Dell becuase
of a better price, it's OK, because that client won't be buying Dell
again. We'll get the business next time round.)

2) If you need (and you say you don't) a big-name brand, go Toshiba.
Or buy a refurbished brand name, but from their corporate lineup. For
example, a 1 or 2 year old refurbished (with a warranty) Toshiba Tecra
or Compaq Evo.

3) Acer manufactures a lot of notebooks for other companies. As does
Compal but you usually can't find them under their own name like you
can Acer.

4) Get a custom-built notebook under a "house" brand name. There are
about 5 or 6 companies such as Asus making barebones, which the
builder will then customize for you.

5) Buying a computer without an operating system really only saves you
if you already own a license of the operating system to install.
Keep in mind (assuming you're using Windows)
If the windows license you want to install on your new notebook came
preinstalled (OEM) on another computer, you are not allowed to move it
to another computer.
If the license is already installed on another computer and you won't
be removing it then you're not allowed.

Typically the discount for no Windows is not the same amount you'll
pay to buy OEM Windows to install yourself.

If you do decide to buy an OEM windows to install on the notebook, you
have to buy it with the notebook, or with another internal component
such as memory or a hard drive, otherwise the reseller is violating
their contracts with Microsoft. You cannot buy OEM Windows on it's
own.

And if you're planning to just use someone else's copy, or use an OEM
that you already own (not allowed as mentioned above) then ask
yourself:

Would you buy a car with no tires to save money, then go back to GM
and steal some tires?

hope this helps,
sparky4ca-ga

Hi!

I also think you should get a Dell. If you've read this comment on
October 19, theres a good deal for ya.

Dell Coupon (for online store valid 10/19):
$750 off a $1500 or greater laptop online.
Coupon code: ZD5$P0NS954P16

Hope that helps.
=]

If your into Apple there is an awesome deal,  Apple iBook Notebook - $844.99.
After $150 Rebate. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00022ADXK/103-8965685-4207862

I have good experience with an Averatec 3200.

I suggest that you really consider what you want the laptop for before
deciding on a brand or model.  I am a technology manager and I do a
lot of e-mail, MS office, and play basic games.  I don't play hardcore
graphic intensive games and so have found that I am fine using a
slightly older 500 to 700 mhz computer!  The good news: I have owned 3
older laptops that cost me less than $500 each (I still have one,
another one was stolen, and the third one was returned when I left a
previous job.)

If you only need e-mail, internet browsing, office applications and
don't need hardcore games - I suggest you visit pcretro.com (or
another similar used equipment vendor) and purchase an older computer
for a great price!  I am not affiliated with PCRetro - but have used
them for various purchases for friends.  With the money you save, you
can buy a nice home desktop, too! (Or a digital camera, or just keep
the money you save!)

A couple of specific suggestions:
If you want a small laptop that is very nice, try this:
http://www.pcretro.com/webstore//catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=8&osCsid=8e480090a87ffc62093ff248bdb2f5d7
$350!!! A great small computer for a great price. Not the fastest, but
absolutely fine for general computing.


If you want a bigger screen and don't mind some weight consider this:
http://www.pcretro.com/webstore//catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=8&osCsid=8e480090a87ffc62093ff248bdb2f5d7
700 mhz for $450!! Another great deal and a bit faster.

They are both Dell computers - and contrary to other comments in this
thread, Dell Laptops work well and are very robust.

Good luck!  Don't spend money on the latest and greatest unless you
absolutely need the power OR have a lot of money to burn!

jcsjcs

1tim-ga ,

I am a network engineer and have personally deployed hundreds if not
thousands of laptops of all types and brands. Dont listen to Sparky on
this one. Let him keep selling his pieces of junk at Gateway or
BestBuy or where ever he works. Dell is by far my top choice followed
closely by HP/Compaq. These two companies are best in the business in
mail-to-order computing. Not sure exactly what you are looking for in
a laptop, but www.gotapex.com is a site worth checking out daily. It
has hidden coupon codes for all makes and models of Desktops, Laptops
etc. You can get a great laptop under $1200.

I have to agree with Sparky to an extent.  Four years ago, I would
have said get a Dell.  Now...Dell has basically "gotten too big for
their britches" as it's said back where I come from.  They're just too
big of a company and very often these days end up shipping out
complete lemons.  Then, it's a huge pain to get through to someone,
and when you do...it's someone in some 3rd world middle eastern
country who you won't be able to understand anyway.

The best mail order laptop companies today are Toshiba and Sony.  HP
isn't too bad, but you better get them from a local store with a good
extended service plan.

Actually, probably the best performing laptop with the best
price...would have to go to Apple.  You can get a great little iBook
for 900, brand new now.  And it's going to be a far more advanced
operating system than Windows XP.

I gotta go two ways on this, sorry.  I personally like dell too, but
have seen a bit of a disparity in the last year or so just past.  If
you buy as a "Small business" as I do (or any biz just deal with their
biz dept.) it's pretty good. If you buy as an individual "avg joe",
their support has gotten shoddy. And the increased outsourcing now
makes it worse.  On the biz side I think at least by Tier 2 tech
you're speaking good english, but not consumer.  It's painful, because
Dell would be my go-to choice.  For my money I'd probably go with an
IBM.  Their support has been consistent for as long as I can remember.
 :)

Call me at 800-258-0882 Ext. 3305 
I sell IBM, HP, DELL, and Apple 
Tier one supplier since 1986 
Prices range from 799 up I will try to help you find the right fit.