BleepingComputer.com: Why is it so hard to find the right laptop?

Hello everyone,

Some of you might be familiar with me. I'm the one who's been trying to find a new laptop to replace an old 2004 15.4 HP laptop. I had tried a 15.6 but disliked it due to the screen being wide but short. After looking, and looking, and looking … mainly online since it's hard for me to get out and look in stores. I bought myself this HP from Best Buy.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+8GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive+-+Dark+Umber/3440705.p?id=1218402885328&skuId=3440705

It's really a nice laptop. Nice screen. Is fast. Runs quiet and cool. Has great audio. But the deal breaker for me is the keyboard. It sucks! It's mushy to the touch. Clicks and clacks with each keystroke. Would hate to use it in a classroom or library. Everyone would be giving me dirty looks for making so much noise. The keys also lag and don't seem to be able to keep up with my typing. Also the letters on the keyboard are hard to see in a dim room. My old one I can clearly see the painted letters but this one you practically have to put your nose to the board to make out the letters on the keys are.

I also cannot stand the touch pad. I was able to turn it off. I prefer a mouse. But it also has a zoom feature, which is nice on one hand when you're viewing text or images and want to make them larger. But it's not nice when you're trying to type a letter or document. One moment you're typing away. The next thing you know the document suddenly shrinks to the size of a thread, or enlarges to the point you can only see one letter at a time. Also the fingerprint reader is annoying. You so much as brush the edge of your hard over it, it pops up.

So now I'm back to square one. I'd like to find a laptop with the similar configuration as the HP. Except minus the fingerprint reader and a much better keyboard and a touchpad that can be turned totally off when wanted. Can anyone suggest where I should look next? What brands offer better keyboards? Touchpads? Would appreciate anyone's input. If need be I'm also willing to pay more than I did for the HP.

Many thanks,

Ziva

You could look at THESE
I bought one a week ago and really like it. Have had 4 laptops and this one is the best yet for me.
Lenovo G770 Laptop - 10375LU - Dark Brown

This post has been edited by goldhound: 27 December 2011 - 10:01 PM

Most modern laptops, now have the zooming feature on the touchpad but you can use the mouse scroll wheel. For the keyboard you can use a separate keyboard that you prefer.

Thank you both for responding. Don't know much about Lenovo. Didn't see any in the store where I'm usually able to go. I did think of an external keyboard, but it's not practical for a laptop,

Ziva

You can go to http://www1.partnerinfo.lenovo.com/partners/us/resources/dealerlocator.shtml

I can find 31 locations selling from my zip code. I would call first to ensure that they have stock to look at.
This website can also be used to locate Lenovo warranty providers, 4 in a 10 mile radius from me.

The Lenovo Thinkpad is a business model with nice security features built in.

Toshiba Satellite Pro models are nice. If you can afford them the Toshiba Qosmio line is really nice.

Toshiba sells a extended warranty that covers against accidental damage as does Lenovo. Toshiba also sells a warranty that guarantees rapid warranty repairs if needed.
I have seen some Toshiba model that have a optional keyboard light and Thinkpads have a LED light at the top of the screen that can be turned on or off that shines down on the keyboard for light.

It used to be that the IBM keyboards were in demand for their clicky tactile feel.
All laptops are a compromise to meet a price point. More so than a desktop.

Good Luck
Roger

This post has been edited by rotor123: 02 January 2012 - 06:31 PM

I have the Satellite Pro myself and it works quit well and it hasn't failed on me yet :D

If I can do it over again, or I have a need for it.

I would get a netbook. when I had a laptop, it wasnt heavy but for all day it really took a toll on my back. Also netbooks have more battery life. Whats the point of a laptop that only hold a few hours when you have no outlet nearby?

For some reason, the IBM laptops have really good battery life.

I am interested in a Sager notebook, though. Perhaps you might want to look in to them?

But in terms of keys.... you really need to go to a store and play around. And since you mention best buy, PLEASE do not pay extra for their new computer/laptop "service".

Personally, for me weight and battery life are my two concerns. carrying a laptop from 7-5 in my backpack is NOT fun at all. I never consider those two options, before.

A netbook is really weak and is quite limited in processing power. Sager laptops are bulky and heavy and they were designed for performance.

I still have a sager I do not use anymore. It ran hot, ate batteries, had short battery runtime and was heavy.

I'm much happier with teh satellite Pro, I was also happy with the T42 Thinkpad I used for a while til I sold it although the Toshiba being much newer is much faster.

I've bought and sold several laptops over the last few years. HP (& Compaq by HP) (Used), Acer (New), Toshiba (Used), Sager (Used), Thinkpad (Used).

I'm still running the Acer, Slow single core CPU $329 new, Twice a month, Maybe 1 to 2 hours total. And the Satellite Pro both w/SSDs. The Toshiba runs rings around the Acer but I only use it for Online financial work Banking, Income Tax, Bill Paying, Shopping at a couple of selected major sites and nothing else. The Toshiba is my goto portable and my Desktop is my home computer.

I think Acer has stopped making laptops now but i reckon HP/Compaq should stop making laptops.

ASUS has really great keyboards. I have this laptop:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+14%26%2334%3B+Display+/+8GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive+-+Aluminum+Platinum/3411094.p?id=1218399174251&skuId=3411094

I LOVE IT!