Laptop Questions

How reliable are laptops. Are they as durable as a normal pc. Can you leave them on for long periods of time without problems. Just wondering because i would like to get one but i was just wondering if someone had some input on if it would be a good idea to get one and basically use it as an everyday computer.

 

The down side of laptops are the cost of parts if you need them, the most common failure is not the laptops fault but is none the less expensive to fix and that is the power connection in the rear, somebody tripping over the power cord will bust the connection to the tune of a new motherboard, about half the price of the laptop. Desktops are more relaible in my opinion, easier to repair, and parts are everywhere. If you intend to leave your pc in one place, by all means go for a desk top. JMO. ed

 

Agree with Major Attitude.:major

That is the guts of the matter. I have owned laptops and desktops since the '80's (going back to the sewing machine box size of the Tandy 4P).

As I try and help others I need a laptop to cart around with me. Also if you move around a bit for work or home, then a laptop is the go.

Bazza

 

as mentioned, i have owned both as well. what are you going to do with your laptop? if your not traveling with it (going out of town etc.), then you'll get your best bang for your buck (so to speak), with a desktop. now, if your lucky, and you get more than a year out of your laptop battery then you've done good. i've had 2 laptops that the battery lasted about 1 year. i'm debating on whether or not to buy another battery, but it's about $150, so i'm not in too much of a hurry. i use my laptop when we go out of town, so i can get on the internet, and i can watch movies, etc. anyway, you just really need to think what you want it for, and of course how much more it will cost to get stuff fixed on it. should you decide to get an extended warranty, i think some do and don't cover the battery, so you might want to check it out. g/l, sos

 

Ouch! Is that typical? I bought my first laptop about 4 months. I hate to think the battery may only last another 8 months.

Do you often run your laptop off the battery? I presume that would have a big impact on battery life. So, if possible, I'm guessing we should take the AC adapter with us and plug it in.

 

I have 2 laptops I use for everyday usage...one for work purposes, one for personal use. The personal I have used for folding and had it run 24/7 - no problems....as MA said....gets a little bit warm if not allowed good venting space. The work one also runs 24/7 as updates happen overnight. Copes fine so far.

Home one is a Gateway and had very little problems. had it for 20 months now and never had to replace the battery yet. Gateway do an excellent full insurance on parts and labor for 3 years - $185 - well worth it as parts can come to that just for small stuff. Other one is a HP with Vista. Only had it a few months but no problems.

Personally I would go for a desktop for reasons given above. But, if your lifestyle dictates the flexibility of a laptop is required (as mine does), get the best you can buy with more torque than you need as you will grow in to it and save yourself some $$$ in the long run. Minimum 2 gigs RAM with Vista.

 

I dont remember where i read it but the average laptop battery should be good for 1000 charge-discharge cycles. Possibly age might outrun the cycles. ed

 

Its been my experience that a laptop battery is only good for a year or so.

However, my Powerbook G4 battery has been going for over 2 years, and is only now starting to lose battery life.

 

My previous laptop (a Gateway Solo 9300) only used 2 batteries (the original and one replacement) in over 6 years.

My current laptop, a Toshiba Tecra A7 has gone over 20 months on the original battery so far.

Best hint for extended battery life on laptops is to run it on AC power only. Most current laptops will run on AC with battery removed. Apparently the best way is to run it once on battery until the battery is discharged then run it on AC, only re-charging the battery BEFORE non-AC power is needed.

Needless to say this is a bit difficult to anticipate if your AC power source is not always reliable.

I run my Tecra on AC with the battery removed, but charged. A compromise I guess. Bazza

 

Ive seen advice otherwise. Leaving your laptop hooked to AC constantly charges the battery and puts undue wear on it.

I've been going by Apple's suggestion of run it dead, and charge it full.

So far, its worked.