Most Durable 14" Widescreen Notebook

ebayaddict · 15th May 2008, 7:27 PM

Hi there!

I need a durable, built-to-last, 14" widescreen notebook.

about $1300, could stretch to $1500 max.

It needs to have:
- good keyboard
- durability
- 14" widescreen
- Intel Dual Core CPU
- a 160gb hard drive would be good

Integrated graphics is fine, so is Windows Vista.

i can get RAM cheaply from a local computer shop so will upgrade to 2gb immediately if it comes with less.

also, would like to avoid Acer, but would love to hear your recommendations on anything else!

thank you very much for reading.

Renza · 15th May 2008, 7:48 PM

the most durable: http://panasonic.com.au/products/det...?objectID=3708

EpHeSuS · 15th May 2008, 7:53 PM

I'd be having a look at the Lenovo's... built like tanks.

ebayaddict · 15th May 2008, 8:10 PM

thanks - are there any specific models of lenovo which i shoul dlook at, or are they all good?

jlien · 15th May 2008, 8:13 PM

Most durable, i'd say the panasonic toughbooks, I use to use one at my last work place, and short of a tactical nuke, it'd outlive most things.

The dell latitude D630 ATG is dell's foray into the armored notebook division, its suppose to meet military standards, and is designed to be used in the field.

On the other hand, I saw on ebay a few years ago, a few ex-military grade notebooks, the type that are built into those heavy steel suitcases, those things can literally stop a bullet.

If you're not looking to spend the 4 grand or so it costs to get these armored laptops, just get a lenovo, they're built like bricks, and share the aesthetic value of one too.

Sub.Zer0 · 15th May 2008, 8:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpHeSuS

I'd be having a look at the Lenovo's... built like tanks.

they look like tanks too. ie crap

aaaaah · 15th May 2008, 8:53 PM

A Lenovo Thinkpad is probably your best bet although a 14" screen model pretty much limits you to the T61.

You can get 15" ones cheaper though

People say they are ugly but i like them. Business like and a clean design.

EpHeSuS · 15th May 2008, 8:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sub.Zer0

they look like tanks too. ie crap

Function over form

My Mum has a T61, may look like a rectangular brick, but it feels like one too (apart from the weight

)

They hardly look crap, it's a simple and clean design. Just because it doesn't have any fancy LED's all over the place and a plethora of colours to choose from...

Sub.Zer0 · 15th May 2008, 9:03 PM

Quote:

Function over form

That's just something people with ugly laptops say.

I got a Toshiba Tecra M9 14.1 WS but a bit out of the OP's budget.

Andres · 15th May 2008, 9:21 PM

Do you need durability, defined by

1) Being able to slip it in a backpack and it won't have any issues in in a number of years

OR

2) You want to be able to literally bang it around and treat it roughly in a dusty/wet environment etc?

As a Panasonic toughbook for instance, will be more able to handle 2), but also costs about twice as much for a similar (computing) performance machine.

EpHeSuS · 15th May 2008, 9:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sub.Zer0

That's just something people with ugly laptops say.

I got a Toshiba Tecra M9 14.1 WS but a bit out of the OP's budget.

I haven't got an ugly laptop, my Mum does

. I got the XPS M1330... which I'd consider a 'fancy' laptop. If the T61's were as cheap now as they were when my Mum got hers, I'd be buying it in an instant. Can't say no to a T61 for $1099

Sub.Zer0 · 16th May 2008, 5:54 AM

I'm only joking mate. They are a good notebook. We have a few T and R series lappy's in our fleet and while they are not as reliable as the Toshiba's they are pretty sturdy. Probably can take more of a beating that your average Toshi.

EpHeSuS · 16th May 2008, 7:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sub.Zer0

I'm only joking mate. They are a good notebook. We have a few T and R series lappy's in our fleet and while they are not as reliable as the Toshiba's they are pretty sturdy. Probably can take more of a beating that your average Toshi.

Just out of curiosity, how are the Toshi's more reliable? I've heard this comment a few times, but no one ever went into specifics.

Sub.Zer0 · 16th May 2008, 8:05 AM

Less DOA's and less things just dying. For example we have an R31 lappy that's only a few weeks old and one of the USB ports just died. Not all the ports just a single one. With the Toshi's, unless the user treats it particularly badly, they go forever.

Mshake · 17th May 2008, 1:12 AM

I like the build quality of Dell's Latitude or the Precision series.
Havin said that, I do agree Lenovo's T61 is a good choice for entry into notebook world..

Sigh....these days, I am using my notebook more and more ..... compared to my desktop, seems to have dropped interest in desktops .....

15th May 2008, 7:27 PM	#1
ebayaddict Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 44	Most Durable 14" Widescreen Notebook Hi there! I need a durable, built-to-last, 14" widescreen notebook. about $1300, could stretch to $1500 max. It needs to have: - good keyboard - durability - 14" widescreen - Intel Dual Core CPU - a 160gb hard drive would be good Integrated graphics is fine, so is Windows Vista. i can get RAM cheaply from a local computer shop so will upgrade to 2gb immediately if it comes with less. also, would like to avoid Acer, but would love to hear your recommendations on anything else! thank you very much for reading.

15th May 2008, 7:48 PM	#2
Renza Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Adelaide, 5051 IQ: >9000 Posts: 1,527	the most durable: http://panasonic.com.au/products/det...?objectID=3708 __________________ Intel Q9450 3.72Ghz\|4gb G.skill Pi\|Asus 8800GTX\|Corsair HX-620\|Asus P5Q Deluxe\|2x 1.5Tb + 4x 640GB + G.skill 64gb SSD\|Dell 2407WFP 24" LCD Canon 5D Mark II \| Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L \| Canon EF 17-40 f/4L \| Canon EX-580II \| Manfrotto 190 Pro B Traded over $8000 on OCAU! - PM for recent traders

15th May 2008, 7:53 PM	#3
EpHeSuS Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bentleigh, Melbourne Posts: 2,674	I'd be having a look at the Lenovo's... built like tanks. __________________ Canon 1d MK II \| 20D \| 24-105 f/4L IS \| 50 f/1.8 \| 135 f/2L \| 580EX II \| Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 EX DC \| 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 DC OS \| 100-300 f/4 EX

15th May 2008, 8:13 PM	#5
jlien Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 95	Most durable, i'd say the panasonic toughbooks, I use to use one at my last work place, and short of a tactical nuke, it'd outlive most things. The dell latitude D630 ATG is dell's foray into the armored notebook division, its suppose to meet military standards, and is designed to be used in the field. On the other hand, I saw on ebay a few years ago, a few ex-military grade notebooks, the type that are built into those heavy steel suitcases, those things can literally stop a bullet. If you're not looking to spend the 4 grand or so it costs to get these armored laptops, just get a lenovo, they're built like bricks, and share the aesthetic value of one too. __________________ Successful trades: sunjet, MoveIt, GeoffP, omen_child, schmoove, elmf, neilz, duke, kimnkk, czaja74, Xcellerant, base, wwwww, snaveint, PlusCorp, Mr.Whippy,MaximusSmurf, SSJX, scottath, TaroT, kurwa, FLACKmonkey, C-Buzz, AzNBoi, muv, buddhamus, yoda123, red _marine, jazz, fredhoon, bangmango, aalu, landrew02, tszho, Kã¥¬Tèé, caudex, bAbY_RoG3R, XQDM Adam, tonyso, Monty94, jkvlx, williamwong, linton, kingz113, chrisRRR, baby_ute, wookie_man, vespas, resonance, antEEK

15th May 2008, 9:21 PM	#10
Andres Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 5,516	Do you need durability, defined by 1) Being able to slip it in a backpack and it won't have any issues in in a number of years OR 2) You want to be able to literally bang it around and treat it roughly in a dusty/wet environment etc? As a Panasonic toughbook for instance, will be more able to handle 2), but also costs about twice as much for a similar (computing) performance machine. __________________ His: Acer 1682 Hers: Dell XPS M1330 \| MGB LE Project Car\|Over 50 OCAU Trades - PM for full list

15th May 2008, 8:10 PM	#4
ebayaddict Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 44	thanks - are there any specific models of lenovo which i shoul dlook at, or are they all good?

15th May 2008, 8:53 PM	#7
aaaaah Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 157	A Lenovo Thinkpad is probably your best bet although a 14" screen model pretty much limits you to the T61. You can get 15" ones cheaper though People say they are ugly but i like them. Business like and a clean design.

16th May 2008, 5:54 AM	#12
Sub.Zer0 (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3,538	I'm only joking mate. They are a good notebook. We have a few T and R series lappy's in our fleet and while they are not as reliable as the Toshiba's they are pretty sturdy. Probably can take more of a beating that your average Toshi.

16th May 2008, 8:05 AM	#14
Sub.Zer0 (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3,538	Less DOA's and less things just dying. For example we have an R31 lappy that's only a few weeks old and one of the USB ports just died. Not all the ports just a single one. With the Toshi's, unless the user treats it particularly badly, they go forever.

17th May 2008, 1:12 AM	#15
Mshake Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Victoria (Now in HK) Posts: 662	I like the build quality of Dell's Latitude or the Precision series. Havin said that, I do agree Lenovo's T61 is a good choice for entry into notebook world.. Sigh....these days, I am using my notebook more and more ..... compared to my desktop, seems to have dropped interest in desktops ..... __________________ Thinking of a new signature.........