As some may know. I currently use a Dell Latitude D630 as my college workhorse.
It has set the record as the laptop I've used as a main unit for the longest... Before that, it was an ASUS EEEpc 1000HEb that was used for a year anr 4 months... the D630 has a year and 6 months on it so far.
I probably won't be switching anytime soon... but this beast is 5.5 years old... I wouldn't call it ancient, but it's starting to show it's age. It's on it's 2nd battery (an NOS 9 cell I bought a year ago) and within the next year or so will be hosed (it has about 25% wear so far). The Vplume up and power buttons are worn blank.
In addition, while having a T7700 C2D and 4gb DDR2, The gpu is a bit on the weak side (an nvidia nvs135M) and it's a bit behind on other things (no internal webcam, no SD reader, etc.). Those things I have external equivalents for, but they can be a bit klunky to say the least (good thing I have 4 USB ports!)
Actually, for it's age, its not doing too bad... I really like it over all. But thinking towards the future, an eventual upgrade may be warranted. By eventual, I mean at least 3 months form now (perhaps this summer).
FYI, in a laptop, Build quality is paramount to me. Ease of service is next, followed by linux compatibility. After that, Features come in (I love high res. screens; dual band N is nice too). Battery life is a consideration (since I'll use it to take notes in class). Looks are on the bottom of the list (but are always a plus).
One option would be to upgrade some of the guts (CPU/RAM/HDD), get a fresh battery, and replace the hinge cover (which houses the worn buttons). The only advantage here is that I don't have to decommission my D series dell docks (the only higher D6xx model was the D631, which wasn't much of an upgrade). A lot if things cannot be upgraded, such as the GPU.
However, There are a few other options I have
1. I have a HP DV6810US coming in the mail as a potential fix and flip. It's actually slower than my D630 and has a lower resolutin screen (and doesn't have wireless N) but It does have better audio, an internal webcam, and a SD reader. The only benifit here is it will only cost $30 (the cost of the laptop) + a spare HDD (from the dead 1000HEb) + an optical drive.
2. I have thought of getting either a newer used Latitude or Better yet, a Used precision. I seem to like the build quality of Dell's business grade Laptops... I was impressed with my D400, My D630, and my dad's D800.
3. Some of the HP elitebooks didn't look half bad either. The ones with the tablet conversion looked pretty sweet. Anybody know how good the durability and build quality is on those (again, I'd b e getting a newer used one).
4. I've also thought about Panasonic Toughbooks. I know they are pretty well built... but they also can cost a pretty penny, even used.
All other brands, I'm kinda Meh on. I won't toch anything IBM or Lenovo (either too picky or too poorly made). After having swapped a screen on a beat up macbook, I'm not too impressed with anything apple (too many different screws used, stupid design choices, etc.)
Nobody else AFAIK makes a comparable Business class laptop (or at least one as durable as business class). If i'm missing a Brand, please do tell!
Any advice?
It has set the record as the laptop I've used as a main unit for the longest... Before that, it was an ASUS EEEpc 1000HEb that was used for a year anr 4 months... the D630 has a year and 6 months on it so far.
I probably won't be switching anytime soon... but this beast is 5.5 years old... I wouldn't call it ancient, but it's starting to show it's age. It's on it's 2nd battery (an NOS 9 cell I bought a year ago) and within the next year or so will be hosed (it has about 25% wear so far). The Vplume up and power buttons are worn blank.
In addition, while having a T7700 C2D and 4gb DDR2, The gpu is a bit on the weak side (an nvidia nvs135M) and it's a bit behind on other things (no internal webcam, no SD reader, etc.). Those things I have external equivalents for, but they can be a bit klunky to say the least (good thing I have 4 USB ports!)
Actually, for it's age, its not doing too bad... I really like it over all. But thinking towards the future, an eventual upgrade may be warranted. By eventual, I mean at least 3 months form now (perhaps this summer).
FYI, in a laptop, Build quality is paramount to me. Ease of service is next, followed by linux compatibility. After that, Features come in (I love high res. screens; dual band N is nice too). Battery life is a consideration (since I'll use it to take notes in class). Looks are on the bottom of the list (but are always a plus).
One option would be to upgrade some of the guts (CPU/RAM/HDD), get a fresh battery, and replace the hinge cover (which houses the worn buttons). The only advantage here is that I don't have to decommission my D series dell docks (the only higher D6xx model was the D631, which wasn't much of an upgrade). A lot if things cannot be upgraded, such as the GPU.
However, There are a few other options I have
1. I have a HP DV6810US coming in the mail as a potential fix and flip. It's actually slower than my D630 and has a lower resolutin screen (and doesn't have wireless N) but It does have better audio, an internal webcam, and a SD reader. The only benifit here is it will only cost $30 (the cost of the laptop) + a spare HDD (from the dead 1000HEb) + an optical drive.
2. I have thought of getting either a newer used Latitude or Better yet, a Used precision. I seem to like the build quality of Dell's business grade Laptops... I was impressed with my D400, My D630, and my dad's D800.
3. Some of the HP elitebooks didn't look half bad either. The ones with the tablet conversion looked pretty sweet. Anybody know how good the durability and build quality is on those (again, I'd b e getting a newer used one).
4. I've also thought about Panasonic Toughbooks. I know they are pretty well built... but they also can cost a pretty penny, even used.
All other brands, I'm kinda Meh on. I won't toch anything IBM or Lenovo (either too picky or too poorly made). After having swapped a screen on a beat up macbook, I'm not too impressed with anything apple (too many different screws used, stupid design choices, etc.)
Nobody else AFAIK makes a comparable Business class laptop (or at least one as durable as business class). If i'm missing a Brand, please do tell!
Any advice?
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