Are some Laptops better built than others?

[elex]

Or are they all the same inside? I like well made things and was discussing laptops with a few friends. I said I was going get a Sony Vaio or something as I thought they were well made. They said don't bother as they're all the same inside. Is this true? I'm not looking to spend a great deal (between £600 and £750) on one but would pay a bit more if indeed the Sony was better made. If not Sony is there another brand that does have superior build quality as well as good performance?

[ThePassenger]

In some respects yes, they are all the same inside. To use random stuff, a Core 2 Duo @ 1.86Ghz is a Core 2 Duo @ 1.86Ghz, DDR2-667Mhz is always going to be just that... so on a fundamental level all laptops are made equal.

However, only a few companies make the actual bits for laptops; I don't mean Lenovo, Dell, HP/Compaq... places like Red Swan Manufacturing and other companies you've probably never heard of (I hadn't until I stumbled on an article about it ages ago). Generally speaking a lot of the parts are still quite generic (hence if you hunt around you can find Inspirion look-a-likes or a whole bunch of laptops with different plastics but utterly identical features and specs) although some manufacturers get totally custom plastics made up (hence you'll never see something that's a Thinkpad knock off). For example a lot of the Time, eMachine, Novatech laptops are actually Mitac. Apple, are a law to themselves... nothing ever changes really does it?

So as far as PC laptops go, you'll probably end up with exactly the same innards regardless of who's product you buy, however overall build quality and the quality of ancillary components (keyboard, scratchpad, etc.) will vary.


As to which manufacturer is best? Pure personal preference, who's styling and ancillaries do you like the most?

[Kinky]

If you're after something for 'everyday' use, and the related abuse around that, then I think that the 'rugged' notebooks are a bit extreme, but I'd seriously consider the Lenovo ThinkPad - for solid robust build, hardwearing, spill-proof keyboard, airbag on the hard-drive, anti-roll cage within the chassis, etc, etc, etc .....

[rameshuk]

STOP!


The overall build quality varies a lot. Laptop repair is expensive as only a few people have the knowledge.

Also some companies rather than change a faulty component will change the whole circuit board.
The component might cost £10, but the board could be £120+

This is because the company can get the repair out quicker.

The components may be the same , but the way they are put together varies.

I personally would recommend a HP/Compaq or Toshiba laptop.

One of mates owns a computer shop in London and I've heard first hand customer stories which are unbelievable.

for example:
A lady bought a laptop (well known brand) for £460 which died a week outside warranty.
She was quoted an hourly rate of £120 and told the job would take 2 hours and parts cost £160 !

My friend charged her £45 labour and the part cost her £80. £125 in total.

Anyone can upgrade a desktop pc. Laptops vary a lot so you pay for specialist knowledge.

I've been involved with personal computers for over years. If I have a laptop issue I always ask my mate.
Some of the cable connectors inside have hair-thin wires which are so easy to break. Its just not worth.
(The fact that I also get a discount has nothing to do with it :-) )

Edited by rameshuk on Tuesday 23 January 22:53

[victormeldrew]

Even within the same manufacturer they can be of varying quality. Take Dell for example; compare an I7000 to an I8500. I have both, and give notebooks a pretty hard time. The I7000 (hinge issues aside) was carved out of solid, it was a robust beast. The I8500 is a bag of components loosely held together by the thinnest veneer of plastic. The contrast between the two models which on their release were both top end notebooks, is massive.