I often get asked this question by many of my customers, but before I answer, let me first elaborate on a bit of laptop manufacturer history. In the past 20 years Toshiba has remained number one, HP (previously Compaq) has remained number 2, I would guess that Dell is the likely number 3.

The oldest working laptop I have ever seen was an 8 Year old Dell (even the CDROM still worked – made by Teac). The best build quality of any normally priced laptop that I have ever seen is a Dell Inspiron 6000 (made in Ireland 5 years ago). Most good laptops would usually last as long as 5 years (the maximum life of the hard disk). Most of the current laptops being made; I would not give them very good odds of even lasting 18 months without some sort of failure. The current hard disks that are now mainly made in China are unreliable (they used to be made in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Ireland). The LED screens that are currently used, and made in China, are also failing on mass, they cannot stand even the smallest of mechanical shocks and the internal chemicals seem to bleed into each other, a complete mess. I currently replace many LED screens for Aberystwyth University students whose laptops seem to be only a few months old. It is a good idea to buy Toshiba as they offer a 3 year warranty or pay for some extra insurance policy. I have done this with my kettle from Argos; on average I get a new free replacement about every 6 months. (I have had various free Delonghi, Morphy Richards and Russell Hobbs models in the last few years).

When I worked as a Senior Computer Technician at Birmingham University, my computer manager believed that you should never buy the cheapest or the most expensive model of any make of computer, go for the model in the middle of the range. The cheapest model with soon be dated, the more expensive model is usually a lot more expensive and sometimes has the latest technology, which when it first appears is usually not proven, i.e. you are paying over the odds for unproven technology. I believe that he was to a large extent correct, this wisdom still holds!

While repairing many laptops, I have been impressed with the build construction of Toshiba, Dell and IBM. But in the last 3 years I have come across several Toshiba models with heating problems, especially the Toshiba Satellite A300D. Recently, I have seen a very severe heating problem with the Intel I3 powered Dell PP39L (which when under only a moderate load it turns itself off). The lack of adequate cooling vents (which are often overly constricted by a fine mesh) and the poor heatsink design (especially the use of thick thermal pads instead of copper shims with proper heatsink grease) are the main culprits. Many laptops do not have enough air space under them when placed on the table, move your laptop and feel how warm the table is where the laptop was sitting. If you look at a typical laptop made 5 years ago by Toshiba and Dell, their build quality was outstanding; you can clearly see the difference compared to the current flimsy plastic laptop made today. The main enemies of a computer’s life are excessive heat and dirt. The general trend of making laptops cheaper, thinner and lighter is undermining their construction and their lifespan.

During last year, HP announced that they were ceasing hardware production of all computers; they intend to concentrate on their more lucrative software companies. Clearly, the development of the modern computer has had it casualties; some of the major brands have been bought out by their competitors; Digital, Compaq, and Packard Bell are good examples of major company amalgamations. (HP swallowed Compaq who in turn swallowed Digital. Acer swallowed Emachines, Advent and Packard Bell). Packard Bell seems to have the worst driver support in existence.

If I was forced to decide on the best laptop at present; I would say Asus (the manufacturer of the first Netbook and the Rolls-Royce of computer motherboard manufacturers) and Lenova (they are the Italian maker of IBM ThinkPads, more expensive but a legendary construction that oozes quality). If you have lots of money, then take a look at the Panasonic Toughbook. If you want real value for money, then do not buy a Laptop, buy a Desktop PC instead. (It will likely last 5 Years as opposed to the current laptop’s life of 18 months to 2 years).

Aberystwyth Computer Repair By Terry Spiers – http://www.MendPC.net – Aberystwyth Computer Clinic © 2012 MendPC.net