mingster I work for a major computer mail-order/retailer and I can tell you from my own experiences...

STAY AWAY FROM EMACHINES!!!!

If you're in the market for a laptop, I recommend Sony, Dell, Toshiba and HP in that order. The rest are crap.

 

I've had 2 Sony laptops and now I have a Dell. I've been very happy with all of them with the Dell being my favorite. It's in a docking station (for work) with a 19" flatscreen. I'd go with Dell--they're also running some specials.

 

My Dell experience has been pretty *hitty so far:




Does your laptop do that? Dell never answered my tech support claims, no emails, no phone call returns despite multiple attempts. Very disgusted, that's why I'm looking for another.

 

I worked at Circuit City (back in the hay day, make'n $$) and can tell you that E-machine would be best to avoid. I'm a bit of a computer nerd, for what ever that is worth.

Sony makes a slick laptop, but like a lot of Sony products there is always (too much IMO) propietery (sp?) software, and sometimes hardware. Software is not too big issue, just don't use it, but the hardware can limit options for add-ons/upgrades down the road. Not that laptops get upgraded, more often get replaced.

IBM makes a solid laptop and so far for my new job has given us excellent support. My last 2 personal laptops have been Toshiba's. Very good prices, good support, IMO on the upper models their screen quality *might only be second to the Sony. I plan on getting a Toshiba for my next laptop.

TBH it looks like abuse (understood it could be unintentional) from heat trunk of car on hot/sunny/humid day. Or had something heavy put on it like books etc. It really does not look like a software or normal hardware malfunction. Looks like the LCD cells on the screen broke some how.
Steve

 

Well, I think it's the connections between the LCD screen and the video card - if I open and close it a few times eventually it'll come back normal. The problem is, I travel with a very padded Samsonite bag for my laptop, and as a frequent business traveler I have to open and close this thing often - something that should be expected of from any laptop. This hinge/connection problem shouldn't be there at all, especially for a Dell

 

I don't understand what Dell is doing. Can you not call their customer service number? I've definitely heard bad things about their customer service at times, but it's generally not supposed to be so bad. If it's still under warranty then you should be able to get it fixed. If you think Dell has bad service then what makes you think a company like emachines would be any better?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wickerbill
[B]I don't understand what Dell is doing.

 

Ack, dunno, never seen a screen patern like that from a conection problem. And it is unusual for Dell not to respond, especially after multiple attempts. But if your looking to go new, Toshiba is at least worth looking at.
Steve