Comments on: 20 – 30% of Notebooks Fail Over 3 Years; HPs Fail Most http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else News and views on today's hottest laptops, cell phones, and other mobile devices. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:47:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: FocusShift http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-145526 FocusShift Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:29:53 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-145526 I'm still running the iBook G4 that I bought in August '05. I've used it pretty much everyday for over five and a half years. The battery's been pretty much shot since late 2007 but other than that it's been great (knock on wood). Still not sure if I'm going to get another Apple though. They're pricey for the specs. I’m still running the iBook G4 that I bought in August ’05. I’ve used it pretty much everyday for over five and a half years. The battery’s been pretty much shot since late 2007 but other than that it’s been great (knock on wood). Still not sure if I’m going to get another Apple though. They’re pricey for the specs.

]]> By: Computer user http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-81192 Computer user Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:47:44 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-81192 Strange. Well like you stated in your article, theres lots of other factors that are involved with laptops. How people treat them, normal maintanence, the environment that they are used in. I'm really big on laptops and have owned probably about 20 so far. And no i dont buy them because they purposefully break, i get them because I guess you can call it a fetish. Using laptops from different brands. So far from what i learned from all these laptops if your an apple person and you buy your macbook brand new or used...get apple care. Ive had about 7 of these fall into my hands. And they all seem to gain problems which is why mac offers apple care. Not sure why their "superior" design seems to have flaws that no one likes to talk about until you actually surf the net and look for them. Most friends and students i work with have returned brought their laptop to be serviced due to battery issues, logic board issues, ehh..way to many to list. I myself have been screwed on macbook that doesnt charge (due to bad logic board not magsafe board or battery connector but bad logic board), overheating of macbook pro 2007 model (yah...after this ive torn them all apart and would first check the thermal paste...amazing how sloppy a job apple does in putting this on the cpu), issues with isight on macbook (isight cable came loose and another one was a logic board issue), expanding of battery destroying the base of the comp (this was the recall battery), bad batch of apple batterys, and another one that had the nvidia recall....yep this is mac we are talkinga bout. i guess you can be lucky and be that person that never has to use apple care. The only reason i continued to get these...was because of the look and battery life of the new unibodies.... But the one laptop out of the 20 that has lasted was the hp 6735s turion, im sure there are problems with this laptop, as the design of it traps dirt into the laptop but it should be taken apart and cleaned (in that vent area leading to the cpu every 7 months if you use it in dusty places). Im amazed with how well toshiba did on the chart, the 3 toshibas that i had had issues down the road, bad cpu battery after only 1 year, then another that had a generic no name 512 gpu (custom from the site) went bad...after 3 years..which really disapointed me. Strange. Well like you stated in your article, theres lots of other factors that are involved with laptops. How people treat them, normal maintanence, the environment that they are used in. I’m really big on laptops and have owned probably about 20 so far. And no i dont buy them because they purposefully break, i get them because I guess you can call it a fetish. Using laptops from different brands. So far from what i learned from all these laptops if your an apple person and you buy your macbook brand new or used…get apple care. Ive had about 7 of these fall into my hands. And they all seem to gain problems which is why mac offers apple care. Not sure why their “superior” design seems to have flaws that no one likes to talk about until you actually surf the net and look for them. Most friends and students i work with have returned brought their laptop to be serviced due to battery issues, logic board issues, ehh..way to many to list. I myself have been screwed on macbook that doesnt charge (due to bad logic board not magsafe board or battery connector but bad logic board), overheating of macbook pro 2007 model (yah…after this ive torn them all apart and would first check the thermal paste…amazing how sloppy a job apple does in putting this on the cpu), issues with isight on macbook (isight cable came loose and another one was a logic board issue), expanding of battery destroying the base of the comp (this was the recall battery), bad batch of apple batterys, and another one that had the nvidia recall….yep this is mac we are talkinga bout. i guess you can be lucky and be that person that never has to use apple care. The only reason i continued to get these…was because of the look and battery life of the new unibodies…. But the one laptop out of the 20 that has lasted was the hp 6735s turion, im sure there are problems with this laptop, as the design of it traps dirt into the laptop but it should be taken apart and cleaned (in that vent area leading to the cpu every 7 months if you use it in dusty places). Im amazed with how well toshiba did on the chart, the 3 toshibas that i had had issues down the road, bad cpu battery after only 1 year, then another that had a generic no name 512 gpu (custom from the site) went bad…after 3 years..which really disapointed me.

]]> By: moose http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-26194 moose Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:32:26 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-26194 I have a Dell Inspiron 2500 that still works since 2002 except for the CD drive. I also have an Asus EeePC 900 still in use after a year and a half. I just don't like the small keyboard, the intermittent stuck keys, and the hard-to-press single bar mouse. I have a Dell Inspiron 2500 that still works since 2002 except for the CD drive.

I also have an Asus EeePC 900 still in use after a year and a half. I just don’t like the small keyboard, the intermittent stuck keys, and the hard-to-press single bar mouse.

]]> By: oneDude http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-25256 oneDude Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:04:10 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-25256 My EEEPC 701 4G is still going strong after about a year of daily use and abuse, though i kinda regret not putting up another $200 and getting a real laptop, it is truly and painful small and hear to read/type on (the pad of my finger could hit 5 keys in one press if i'm not careful). My EEEPC 701 4G is still going strong after about a year of daily use and abuse, though i kinda regret not putting up another $200 and getting a real laptop, it is truly and painful small and hear to read/type on (the pad of my finger could hit 5 keys in one press if i’m not careful).

]]> By: McGregor http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24763 McGregor Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:16:30 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24763 I purchased a Gateway Notebook and the thing failed after 6 months. I spent 1200 on the thing. Had to send it into manufacturer two times to fix. Never fixed the problem. It now sits in my closet. I now only use it to hold data during file transfers or backups of old files. Never again a Gateway. Laptop or desk top. I'm now a MAC. I purchased a Gateway Notebook and the thing failed after 6 months. I spent 1200 on the thing. Had to send it into manufacturer two times to fix. Never fixed the problem. It now sits in my closet. I now only use it to hold data during file transfers or backups of old files. Never again a Gateway. Laptop or desk top. I’m now a MAC.

]]> By: Marc http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24756 Marc Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:00:46 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24756 Folks, Do the math - mass production of micro-components, ever decreasing costs and more aggressive consumers in the marketplace. You don't get something for northing!!! Good computers aren't cheap and cheap computers aren't good! Marc Folks,

Do the math – mass production of micro-components, ever decreasing costs and more aggressive consumers in the marketplace. You don’t get something for northing!!! Good computers aren’t cheap and cheap computers aren’t good!

Marc

]]> By: John A http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24755 John A Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:36:00 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24755 I had a Sony PCG somethinorother from 1996-2002, and it served me exceptionally well. In 2002, I splurged and bought a Toshiba Sattelite 17inch multimedia laptop, and it's still going strong in 2009! I've upgraded the memory twice and just recently upgraded the HD after it started making funny noises, but I've never had a critical failure. I open mine up every 3 months or so and clean out the dust bunnies from the heatsinks, so that might explain why mine seems to survive so long. It took me a while to find a screwdriver that would fit those funky screws, but now I can get inside and take proper care of it. Oh yeah, no need to buy fancy, expensive mini-vacs? Remove the insides from a Bic pen, wrap some toilet paper around the end to make a ball, then stuff that ball down the end of the hose on your house vacuum cleaner. Voila! Instant laptop vacuum that can get in the tiniest of spaces, with more than enough power to clean the most stubborn of dust bunnies! I had a Sony PCG somethinorother from 1996-2002, and it served me exceptionally well. In 2002, I splurged and bought a Toshiba Sattelite 17inch multimedia laptop, and it’s still going strong in 2009! I’ve upgraded the memory twice and just recently upgraded the HD after it started making funny noises, but I’ve never had a critical failure.

I open mine up every 3 months or so and clean out the dust bunnies from the heatsinks, so that might explain why mine seems to survive so long. It took me a while to find a screwdriver that would fit those funky screws, but now I can get inside and take proper care of it.

Oh yeah, no need to buy fancy, expensive mini-vacs? Remove the insides from a Bic pen, wrap some toilet paper around the end to make a ball, then stuff that ball down the end of the hose on your house vacuum cleaner. Voila! Instant laptop vacuum that can get in the tiniest of spaces, with more than enough power to clean the most stubborn of dust bunnies!

]]> By: Dan Burns http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24752 Dan Burns Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:04:47 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24752 I have an IBM Thinkpad T30 that's 7 years old and still running like a champ. I've replaced the hard drive, but just as an upgrade, it's had 0 mechanical failures and has withstood all kinds of abuse. My Dell XPS M1330 on the other hand is only 1.5 years old, and has had the motherboard, hard drive, and graphics card (second motherboard) fail. I guess they don't make em like they used to. I have an IBM Thinkpad T30 that’s 7 years old and still running like a champ. I’ve replaced the hard drive, but just as an upgrade, it’s had 0 mechanical failures and has withstood all kinds of abuse.

My Dell XPS M1330 on the other hand is only 1.5 years old, and has had the motherboard, hard drive, and graphics card (second motherboard) fail.

I guess they don’t make em like they used to.

]]> By: GlindaNorth http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24716 GlindaNorth Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:33:27 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24716 I don't like HP's computers; and I'm not sure I like their Photosmart C7200 series all in one printer either. The printer, designed to print pictures, won't even accept photo paper for printing pictures. Back to the topic.... Customer service is key, when it comes to repeat and future sales. I firmly believe that Dell's plummet in the market, was a direct result of their decision to outsource customer service and support to non English speaking locations. My guess is that most of the corporate executives are making these decisions and they probably don't have any real consumer experience. Look at what happened to Circuit City, they fired all their knowledgeable sales people, and replaced them with people who didn't know the difference between an USB port and a carport. Customers quit shopping at Circuit City, because of the lack of customer service and support. I've had 3 HP's over the years; 2 desktops and 1 laptop, and experienced countless problems with all of them. The laptop went through complete system failure, 3 times in it's first 10 months. Initially, I blamed Vista for the laptop's failures, but I was wrong. I replaced with a Toshiba running Vista and no problems at all. I don’t like HP’s computers; and I’m not sure I like their Photosmart C7200 series all in one printer either. The printer, designed to print pictures, won’t even accept photo paper for printing pictures.

Back to the topic….

Customer service is key, when it comes to repeat and future sales. I firmly believe that Dell’s plummet in the market, was a direct result of their decision to outsource customer service and support to non English speaking locations. My guess is that most of the corporate executives are making these decisions and they probably don’t have any real consumer experience. Look at what happened to Circuit City, they fired all their knowledgeable sales people, and replaced them with people who didn’t know the difference between an USB port and a carport. Customers quit shopping at Circuit City, because of the lack of customer service and support.

I’ve had 3 HP’s over the years; 2 desktops and 1 laptop, and experienced countless problems with all of them. The laptop went through complete system failure, 3 times in it’s first 10 months. Initially, I blamed Vista for the laptop’s failures, but I was wrong. I replaced with a Toshiba running Vista and no problems at all.

]]> By: Claire http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-fail-happens-to-20-30-of-notebooks-over-3-years-hps-more-than-anyone-else/comment-page-1#comment-24708 Claire Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:19:21 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=23427#comment-24708 When I started grad. school I had a Sony Vaio that gave me so many headaches (including the partitioned hard-drive) that I'm actually glad that I purchased it at Best Buy because they finally declared it a lemon after 4 years and replaced it at no cost on the extended warranty. This time I called Notebookshop.com and asked them which laptops had the fewest repairs/returns and based on that chose a Toshiba. Aside from seriously crappy speakers, it's still going strong after 4 years--a little slower, but functioning fine. Neither laptop has done a ton of travelling, though. When I recently purchased a netbook I chose the Samsung NC10 because it has a matte screen and all the newer netbooks have glossy screens. The speakers suck on that, too, but it's fast and the "6-hour battery" is lasting over 8 hours (e.g., at an all-day conference or workshop) if I don't mess with the internet and using multiple windows. Too soon to know whether it'll fail on me and I notice that Samsung wasn't included in the review of reliability above. So actually I do expect a laptop to last 4 years or so! Now that prices are down it will be nice to be able to replace a laptop without breaking the bank (my first laptop + printer was around $2,000 in 1994). When I started grad. school I had a Sony Vaio that gave me so many headaches (including the partitioned hard-drive) that I’m actually glad that I purchased it at Best Buy because they finally declared it a lemon after 4 years and replaced it at no cost on the extended warranty. This time I called Notebookshop.com and asked them which laptops had the fewest repairs/returns and based on that chose a Toshiba. Aside from seriously crappy speakers, it’s still going strong after 4 years–a little slower, but functioning fine. Neither laptop has done a ton of travelling, though. When I recently purchased a netbook I chose the Samsung NC10 because it has a matte screen and all the newer netbooks have glossy screens. The speakers suck on that, too, but it’s fast and the “6-hour battery” is lasting over 8 hours (e.g., at an all-day conference or workshop) if I don’t mess with the internet and using multiple windows. Too soon to know whether it’ll fail on me and I notice that Samsung wasn’t included in the review of reliability above. So actually I do expect a laptop to last 4 years or so! Now that prices are down it will be nice to be able to replace a laptop without breaking the bank (my first laptop + printer was around $2,000 in 1994).

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