Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[Ian Meyer <ianmeyer AT mac.com>]

I'll second the "Avoid Compaq" for a different reason: the beasts are not only crap, but crap COVERED in blue LEDs. Like that makes them less-crappy to light up half the room from the hot buttons above the keyboard.

And of course, I'm going to say take a long hard look at the iBooks. If money's an issue, check used from someplace like PowerMax or SmallDog (I think they do used). From your original post:
Durability = Check. The plastics are quality and they'll take a beating, they're made for students and stuff to be tossed in a backpack or other similar abuses. No drive tray to break, the hinge is well-protected, etc.
Value = Its killer. You can get one, new, for under a grand, and its rock hard stable, fast as lightning (well, maybe thunder, gotta go for the powerbook to get lightning), and if you don't already, you'll love OS X
Features = Get stuff built in. And it all Just Works (tm). Airport Extreme, the iBooks get pretty good reception, no fussing with drivers ever. Bluetooth, even if you don't use it now, if there's a possibility, go ahead and get the internal, since its not upgradeable (well, not supposed to be) and its better than having a USB dongle in your bag. You can get them with a superdrive now, so you can burn DVDs and stuff, and the software for that is top-notch. 

And about ratings, I think one of the C|Net sites used to have reviews, I don't know if they still do or not...

*plonk* *plonk*, here's my 0.02€

hth
~ian

--
/---------------------------------\
| Ian Meyer - http://frijole.info |
| ianmeyer AT mac.com or @gmail.com  |
\---------------------------------/
On Mar 7, 2005, at 1:29 PM, Sil Greene wrote:

> If money is no object, I suggest a Dell, a Toshiba, or a Mac.  If money is an object, buy a low-end Dell, or if the budget's REALLY tight, look for a used ThinkPad.
>
> Avoid eMachines, HP, and Compaq LIKE THE PLAGUE.  There's a reason they're super cheap:  they're super crap.  This is not negotiable!  Just Say No.
>
> And if you're really looking to save money, and you do get the el-cheapo Presario, for god's sake don't get sucked into the sales pitch for the "high definition" screen.  No rash sales-floor on-sale-today-only decisions: if you really think you need it, get the specs on it and do the research.  (Ask here!)  Otherwise, save your money ... (for the car charger, laptop bag, or other accessories, of course!)
>
> *plunk* *plunk*  (my 2¢)
> --Sil
>
>
>
>
> from Colleen McCarthy:
> > Hi Folks,
> >
> > Do any of you have any particularly good or bad things to say about your
> > experience with laptops?  I've always had a Dell, and never had any
> > problems.  I would look at other vendors, however, if someone recommended
> > them.  I'm interested in durability, value for the money, and also any
> > features that you have and decided were a waste, or features that you wish
> > you had.  Office Depot has a Compaq Presario R3000Z with an AMD Athlon XP-M
> > Processor 2400+ for sale through 3/8 for $399 after some rebates.  The
> > machine has 256 DDR Memory, a 40 GB hard drive, 8X DVD-ROM drive (not
> > burner-- can get the burner for $55 more), 15"  XGA screen, 32 MB nvidia
> > GeForce 4 420 Go (upgradeable to the 64 MB for $25) graphics card.  The guy
> > at Home Deport recommended that I upgrade to the high definition clear
> > screen for $75. I don't know if this is a good deal or not.  Also, does
> > anyone know if there is a non-biased site that rates PCs (other than
> > Consumer Reports)?
> >
> > Thanks much!
> >
> > Colleen McCarthy, BSMT, BSEE, MBA, PMP
> > (h) 460-0641
> ---
> Come and play at the InterNetWorkers Web site!  http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/
> You are currently subscribed to InterNetWorkers mailing list
> To unsubscribe visit http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/internetworkers