Seeking Advice On Laptops...

[NoJo]

I use Panasonic toughbooks. Very durable, the ruggedised models are used by the military and police departments. They are literally bullet proof, the cassings are made of a magnesium metal, and the hard drives are encased in a gel like dampening compound, sealed keyboards and such. The semi rugged models have some plastic on them, but the base is mostly the magnesium material. They also have a dampend hard drive and sealed key boards. I have been getting them off of eBay and have never had a problem with any of them. Good luck

RRoowrr!

 

[CopyCarver]

Someone help my sorry ass out with this, please?
I'm looking to get a light, good quality but inexpensive laptop so that I can write while I'm at work.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Come on and throw me a bone, will ya?

Norajane makes a very good point about the small business discount. Several other manufacturers besides Dell have this same policy.

Another possibility to save significant cash: if you've ever considered taking a college class or two in your spare time, look into the possibility of taking a big "student discount" on a laptop and whatever software you might want. Not all college and universities sell computers to students and not all include part-timers in the discount programs, but many do. The uni where I'm employed doesn't care whether you're a Ph.D. candidate or you're taking an evening class in underwater cake decorating--a student is a student, and he/she gets 30% off on hardware and up to 80% off on software.

 

[Tom Collins]

Decaff, I hope. Otherwise you'll be tossing all night.

*snickering and restraining from comment*

 

[Tom Collins]

I wanted to thank everyone how's posted so far. This is really helping me, guys and I'm not being fecitious. (It's sometimes hard to tell so I wanted to be sure you know I mean it) It bringing several brands to my attention that I never would have considered as an option, like Mac. And opening options that hadn't occured to me, like refurbished modles. If anyone else has anything to say, I'd really like to hear it, so keep it coming, everyone.

Oh, and carson?...yer a scientifically proven smart ass, baby. You can sit on my "laptop" any time you want.