In the market for a new laptop, 3 days after buying one
17 replies, posted
So guys, I recently purchased a Dell laptop for college a few weeks ago, and it showed up just 3 days ago. Now, my sister had a Dell. My grandma and mom both have Dells. They had no problems after years of use. However, this laptop is definitely from hell.
First off, here are it's specs (It's an Inspiron 7537 btw):
Intel i7-4500u
8GB DDR3L
Touch screen (will never understand why a clamshell laptop needs a touchscreen)
Intel HD Graphics 4400 (really not a bad card, it runs every game I own on Steam pretty well)
1TB HDD
W8.1
This laptop is gorgeous, it looks very nice and feels very good. Typing on the keyboard is very good and it feels of high build quality. It (in the beginning, at least) handled everything I did with speed. I could run multiple programs at the same time with minimal slowdown across the whole system.
However, this faded quickly and now I despise this machine. Within just these 3 short days...
On the first boot of the computer, it completely locked up in the Windows 8 setup and I had to force shutdown.
My hard drive has reported that it will inevitably fail soon, and Windows constantly bugs me to backup my data before failure occurs.
The down arrow key broke clean off after using it for a day (it didn't just pop off, the tabs that would hold the key completely snapped).
I rebooted the computer once, only to find my touchpad had stopped working. I installed the drivers from the Dell website using the touch screen, and after a reboot the keyboard stopped working. Finally, I uninstalled both the touchpad and the keyboard and reinstalled all the drivers. However, these drivers aren't the ones that came with the system, and as such I have no configuration to the touchpad's bullshit proprietary features like "Palm Lock" or whatever the hell it is and I can't even drag anything because the mouse refuses to move whenever the primary mouse button is held down. On top of all of this, on multiple occasions has Windows frozen upon trying to login to my account, requiring a hard shut down. Keep in mind this is a legal, OEM Windows 8.1 that came with the computer. I haven't installed much third party software besides Chrome, Steam, and VirtualBox.
Also, the wireless craps out extremely fast. I'll get the best WiFi speeds I've ever seen on a fresh reboot, but after about 2-3 hours of use, the WiFi slows down to a crawl.
I have a seperate, years old Toshiba which is running Windows 8 and it has NEVER had a single problem. This thing has had more problems than any other computer I've ever owned and it's only been [b]3 fucking days.[/b]
So, Facepunch, I ask you - what is a better laptop for the price? I paid around 800$ for this computer, because apparently there were savings. It's now about 949$, which I consider massively overpriced for such a machine. So I'm going to return it, and get another machine for 800-900$. I've been looking at some HP computers in this price range, and they also have a faster processor that isn't in the U series (I think U stands for either underclocked, or underpowered), doesn't have a gimmicky touch screen, and also has discrete graphics. Now, discrete graphics is not a necessity, but considering I don't have a desktop and I love to play PC games, I'd consider it something that I really want. The reason I didn't get a Dell with discrete graphics is because I didn't want to add around $200 to the price just for discrete graphics.
I do realize I could've gotten simply a bad build. However, this incident has completely destroyed my faith in Dell computers, and I refuse to ever buy one again.
I apologize if this is in the wrong section. I didn't think it'd go in PC Building, and Fast Threads probably isn't as knowledgable about this kinda thing as you guys are. If this is in the wrong section, could a mod please move it?
If you get an HP, you're only in for a worse experience than with the Dell. Get a quality brand like Lenovo or a good reviewed ASUS. You'll spend a touch more for the same specs, but it would be well worth it.
I have the Lenovo Y410p, and have been generally satisfied with it. Depending on what screen size you're looking into, you can look at either the [URL="http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/y-series/y410p/"]14" Y410p[/URL] or the [URL="http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/y-series/y510p/"]15.6" Y510p[/URL].
[editline]20th April 2014[/editline]
Quick sidenote, unless they changed something major since I bought it, you're realistically looking at 3.5 hours of battery life, not 5 hours.
I personally own a Clevo W230ST which would go for around that price range, and while it's a bit fat and made out of plastic, I've had no issues with reliability, it's a monster of a laptop for its size and is light at only 4lbs.
The Acer V7 is also a decent option if you need a little more oomph for gamin'.
And honestly, as much as people might rag on apple, the new Macbook Airs are really not that bad for the price. They're pretty much filled halfway with pure battery so they have more battery life than you could ever think of using in one day, they're light, and the quality control is pretty decent.
Most of those problems could be caused by the bad HDD. Before splashing out on a new laptop i'd get the hdd replaced under warranty first.
New Dell laptops are usually really really nice machines. Sucks that you got a lemon though.
Personally I'd avoid Toshiba as well. They tend to load on the crapware.
[QUOTE={ABK}AbbySciuto;44601933]Personally I'd avoid Toshiba as well. They tend to load on the crapware.[/QUOTE]
Unless you've got a fresh install disk, Toshiba laptops are pretty unusable with the amount of pure shit they add in. Though their driver repository is also slow as balls so don't expect to be getting drivers in a reasonable time either.
Honestly, Dell laptops are getting better now from what I've tried, it may be worth either replacing the HDD and seeing if that helps (as mentioned, it could be the core of a lot of the faults), though really you should use the warranty provided with the damn thing and get a replacement, you've got hardware problems and shit. Buying a whole new laptop because yours was a bit fucked when you opened it is a stupid and extreme measure.
Lenovo all the way. The thinkpads are built like tanks and the brand screams quality.
My experiences with Hp have been that they get really hot.but for 2 years my hp laptop has survived 70C constant motherboard temperature
I will aid my father in his eternal vow to make HP lose over $1mil in revenue due to their abysmal customer service. So no, definitely do not buy anything from HP.
Lenovo's are solid so long as it's not an IdeaPad.
[QUOTE=Dawnkiller;44632898]I will aid my father in his eternal vow to make HP lose over $1mil in revenue due to their abysmal customer service. So no, definitely do not buy anything from HP. [/QUOTE]
Buy enough computers from other companies and you're gonna make a lot more vows.
[quote]Lenovo's are solid so long as it's not an IdeaPad.[/quote]
The build quality on the ThinkPad Edge series is also not great.
[QUOTE=Levelog;44597049]If you get an HP, you're only in for a worse experience than with the Dell. Get a quality brand like Lenovo or a good reviewed ASUS. You'll spend a touch more for the same specs, but it would be well worth it.[/QUOTE]
Pretty much this, old HP laptops were great, the one I got like 7 or so years ago is still working, but their new stuff is junk. Using an Asus laptop now and it works pretty well.
HP's consumer grade stuff is complete arse, but their business grade stuff are really nice machines.
my hp laptop actually blew out cold air the other day and i got scared because i wasn't used to it
Higher end HPs are typically built well. I think that's an ideal scenario though... their Elitebooks are more assuredly durable, and I often compare them to Thinkpads, even if they aren't as versatile in many ways.
Mine seems to get hot though if I cover the bottom anywhere not even near the air intake, just the ambient heat affects it. But, if its elevated by the corners, it stays extremely cool.
The biggest killer of one of my HP laptops was storing it in my backpack full of school books, it took its toll slowly but surely. I trust my elitebook for that burden now, being made mostly of actual metal.
Basically, if you choose HP, don't try to shop for value, you'll just get something that'll fall apart within a year. And keep in mind that you should take care of it in terms of heat and storage.
I have used older Thinkpads and can say if you get your hands on a decently fast one, it will serve you valiantly. I have a hard time justifying buying one brand new though, since Lenovo is progressively getting their greasy hands all over the design.
My friends have owned ASUS laptops, and they will work well, but they don't hold up to impacts well at all. Take care of them.
Dell laptops actually have the exact same problem HP has right now, don't buy their consumer grade laptops. I am partly surprised one of their higher end laptops did that to you, but I never trusted Dell in the first place, so.
Toshiba can be pretty decent I've heard, I've only seen cheaper ones in person and they are slow and plastic. They somehow survive a decent while though.
I think I helped install drivers for an MSI laptop (and this applies to their motherboards as well)
It is a daunting task in itself. If you don't mind scarce drivers and bloatware for days, MSI I believe is some kind of hybrid of Toshiba and ASUS. They lie somewhere in there.
Wall of anecdotes, but I've had a hell of a time searching for laptops at times, so I would hope that at least something here is of value to you.
I second the HP Elitebook recommendation, I would say the 2570p has better built quality than the Lenovo X220 (source: I own both)
You can pick up a 2570p from eBay for usually £300-£350, usually with remaining warranty too.
[QUOTE='[EG] Pepper;44659798']HP's consumer grade stuff is complete arse, but their business grade stuff are really nice machines.[/QUOTE]
This cancer came from Compaq.
Compaq always had a corporate philosophy that consumer products were an afterthought to the medium and large business market. Their consumer machines were always proprietary and horrible while their business machines were always built like tanks.
When HP bought Compaq, it only took a few years for their cancerous ideology to spread into nearly every corner of HPs products.
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