Ok first of all, I don’t plan on using new laptop for heavy gaming or games with graphic hogs. I mean the games I would play would be like Sim City series, chess, cards, etc & doing some mods on games that I would play on my desktop pc. Even my old games from Windows 98 era did stall my laptop. I don’t intend to play games like Crysis or Bioshock on my new laptop. I do like ATI, but it seems some ATI cards I like usually go on more expensive laptop. I couldn’t customize for graphic cards through a few company websites that sell certain laptop I am looking for. Nvidia is fine; at least I have more flexibility with my desktop pc for choosing which graphic cards anyway.

Now about Toshiba. I was researching Toshiba last month, because I would choose it over Dell until I learned more of their laptops do not come with system restore disc or Microsoft Windows media/disc. Thus cause a lot of hassles for Toshiba customers when they need to reinstall the Windows or their Windows asking for media for any reasons. So I swear I would never be in their position. Also I read many reviews from Toshiba’s customers that they were given Windows Vista 32bit, not 64bit. I think just very recently that Toshiba is working on making it more clearly on their websites or at stores for which 32bit or 64bit in their products they’re selling. When companies are being vague on which 32bit or 64bit or anything that I’d like being included, then I refuse to buy anything from them. I have seen this similar thing with MSI. I almost brought a MSI laptop until thank to many customer reviews for saying this comes with 32bit Windows Vista, not 64bit.

And now about Dell. This Dell laptop I have, yes it is 7 years old, not because of quality that kept this going. It has crashed several times in past and I had to bring it back to alive by myself. There’s not much I can do with its battery, it went sour a year after, and it can run only up to 5 minutes tops. So it hasn’t been portable since. I never bother on contacting Dell for their repair or upgrade services. It’s like contacting AOL’s customer service, remember those days? Oh did I mention that this Dell laptop came with bloatwares? Anyway, this Dell laptop is supposed to run at 2ghz because it has 2ghz processor, but Dell under clocked it to 1.2ghz. It won’t go higher whenever the applications require it. With Dell’s bios being locked to do anything except for boot order & changing the date/time, I felt this was sabotaged in order encouraging me to send it back to Dell so they can adjust or upgrade its speed for a price. That’s not the only reason I loath Dell. When I looked inside this laptop & ran one of third party programs that tell me what specs are for each component, it wasn’t a surprise to me that they’re all generic. That’s funny because their website doesn’t tell us that. No wonder I barely could manage or run word, excel, other applications, or websites using flash, scripting, java, adobe, Quicktime, window media, etc. I was lucky enough to back up essential files to disc. I have system restored several times. I never really enjoy this laptop anymore than being infected with nasty virus.

It’s typical for computers from companies like Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, etc to have all generic components as I always noticed every time I was asked by my friends, co-workers, or relatives when fixing theirs. Surely, these companies do except their customers to come back for constantly repairing or upgrading because of their low end designs. Also their computers are pretty good at restricting customers’ experiences in modifying, such as replacing any components, so the customers would require the companies’ assisting them with that since their components are usually unique. That’s why I built my own desktop pc so I don’t have to deal with their hassles. Whenever one of components failed in my custom built desktop pc, I had no problem finding another to order online (often at newegg.com) to replace, even if it’s a different design or brand & model. One of my desktop pc I built is 10 years old, it’s still running just fine. It hasn’t been upgraded since. I would likely to stop using it when Windows XP is discontinued with Microsoft. However, I’ve saved over thousands dollars by building my own pc, that it last much longer and much more useful. Each of my two friends who don’t know how to build, upgrade, or repair have spent over 10,000 dollars in less than 10 years to companies like Dell, HP, etc. They were often frustrated with them as they kept sending theirs back for repair & upgrade services, naturally they always end up paying more. Of course the companies’ upgrades are still pretty limiting which often require replacing the platforms so they had to buy another pcs for like 4th and 5th time. At last, I did my friends favors by building them new pcs.

In consumer reports recently talking about laptops, including pcs too, of course Dell, Toshiba, HP, Alienware, Gateway, I forgot what else were on list, but Apple Mac is the top best consumer’s choice but the most expensive. I don’t see companies like Xoticpc or other small companies selling computers being on the list but their computers usually doesn’t come with generic components. It’s all because of business’ name. Everybody knows Dell, thus brought more customers & nation attention to them as they are big enough to have commercial ads on television & billboards. It’s all about monopoly on their typical customers who are usually unfounded at building, repairing, or upgrading on their own. Dell may have somehow successes recently at surpassing their usual generic processors to genuine ones for customers, but nonetheless, every of their other generic components that come with still aren’t worth it for me. Now with the popular platform of this new laptop I just ordered, which will be ship out next week, is Compal JHL90. I was advised by some to get that platform because of it being easier & popular, including my prefer price, to do personal modifications on which components to have replaced in the future. This way I don’t have to rely on a company I purchased from for any further services as in case if the company goes out of business. I could go on, but it’s late, I am tired and sick. Btw, for some reasons, I suspect there may be some Dell’s employees or stock owners being members in this forum. Oh well, good night anyway.