My intention with any laptops I obtain is to dump the existing OS, wipe the hard drive and install Linux in some form or another for my kids to learn on. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I also have a ministry at my church that distributes simplified (re: outdated) computers to students and families who can't otherwise afford a computer. Should be a lot of fun if we can ever get any equipment donations <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Here's the top of the HP line in the all-in one PCs - 23" screen with a faster processor and bigger video card...... not sure I can justify this one for the price and intended use.... and the screen is probably too large for the desk area, but how much better is it than the other one?

web page

Frank

I have an HP laptop that had a couple of issues, bad fan and a strange buzzing noise.

The warranty service was great. HP sent an empty box UPS to pack it in, picked it up the next day. Had it back repaired within a week.

For an all-in-one, I'd seriously consider buying an extended warranty, or finding out if your credit card adds warranty, should you choose to pay on a card.

Dang, I could probably give you 60 P3 desktops if you were closer. I'm trying to find someone to take this stuff off our hands (have to donate to a charity or auction it off) so I don't have it sitting in storage at the office.

I buy business class HPs, and pay for the NBD onsite warranty. If it's a laptop, I buy the accidental insurance..really is worth it if you depend on your machine.

How much would it cost to ship it to 95307? That's the zip code for my church.

Frank,

Don't waste your money on the second one.. you will fill it full of options that you or your wife(sp) will never use. I didn't even see HDTV tuner listed as an option.

Myself I've been thinking about getting a tablet for my wife.
There is one available from hp from $800
HP TouchSmart tx2z series keyboard is out of the way when browsing, lighter, better battery life (bigger battery), you can also get a stand for it for even less desk space used.
It got pretty good review http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1217
if you still want TV in kitchen then you can get 26-32" LCD HDTV for under $300 or even $200

Hi Frank,

This is from the Copyediting list my wife is active with,

This just went by on the copyediting list, FYI.



[original query]
> Does anyone have advice about what would be a good model that lasts a
> long time with long periods of daily use?

Three years is reasonable for a notebook computer, although I just
replaced one that ran well for 6 years and I have an antique
(10-year-old) Ibook that's now serving as an overgrown Ipod.

Most people (including me) tend to think of Apple hardware as being of
better quality than most competing PC hardware. A recent report by
SquareTrade (the 3rd-party warranty folks) suggest that's more wishful
thinking than fact. In terms of reliability, Apple gear is about in the
middle of the range according to SquareTrade. I wrote about the
research this week ( http://www.techbyter.com/2009/20091206.html or
http://tinyurl.com/yf4mzsa) or you can cut to the chase and view the
report here: http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109
or http://tinyurl.com/yj5yt9c.

According to the report, the worst brands are HP and Gateway while the
best are Asus and Toshiba.

Thinking of this a bit, I intend my next computer will be a Panasonic with a solid state drive. Not needed for desk duty though.

Have you looked at Tablets, they can fold themselves and prop up on the wall at the back of the desk. Touch screens are nice in that case.

For years I have never heard anything good about any Compaq computer.
When they bought out Digital to get a better hold the commercial market most all the top employees moved on.
They bought HP just to get the name to try and keep there sales up on their entry level crap since they were tanking.
Even under the guise of HP I would not chance owning one, Dell is bad enough but I would not gamble with a Compaq.