Most reliable laptop computer brand?

[GatorChomp3]

So my laptop is getting pretty slow and I'm looking to buy a new laptop. Budget is 500 max. I'm currently looking at Dell, HP, and Toshiba. Acer and Asus look like they have nice laptops but I honestly don't know anything about those brands. I never really heard of them.

Just looking for a computer to check email/word/surf web/play games and won't die on me.

Which brand do you think is the most reliable? I guess what's the "honda" of laptops?

[chrisleakfan4life]

Well it's not much for gaming but my Macbook has been running well for a couple years now. There are times it starts to lag up a little bit when it comes to Youtube or flash videos.


But games are not really made for them and they're to expensive for some people.

[Swampgator33]

I have a HP now and had a Toshiba before and I liked the Toshiba best. You can,t go wrong with either one in the 500.00 price range.

[dawny]

Toshiba had a few for over 10 years and no problems.

[bakaduin]

Here are some reliability surveys. They are usually performed by service repair companies so the results may be somewhat skewed by which types of laptops they see but there are some trends.

This was 2009.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/
http://www.pcworld.com/zoom?id=187407&page=3&zoomIdx=1

This was 2010.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/211402/reliability_and_service_laptops.html

This is 2011.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244419/laptop_reliability_and_satisfaction_macbooks_rule. html

http://www.sandybridgelaptops.net/latest-laptop-reliability-survey-results-lenovo-1/

[Juggernautz]

My preferences of the ones I've owned in order are:

1) ASUS

2) HP

3) Toshiba

4) Gateway



I haven't owned any other "major" brand so I can't speak for them.

[Swamper]

I've had HP and Toshiba---both good, I like HP a little better. Plus, they are always on sale for great prices---e.g., Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Best Buy...

[gatordowneast]

Recently bought a new 17" screen laptop. Went to Comp USA and asked them which brands came back the least for repairs? I was thinking it would be HP, Dell, Samsung, Sony...the name brands. Suprisingly they told me it was actually Lenovo and Acer.

[Vindibudd]

Apple destroys all other laptops in this category. If you absolutely must have a PC, (remember you can boot a MacBook Pro into Windows) then I recommend Toshiba.

/10 years of tech support experience.

[amangator08]

Really surprised at all the Toshiba love in here. Between me, my brother-in-laws, best friend and my mom, we had 6 Toshibas in a 2-3 year period that were awful. They are notorious for screen/display problems.

I've had a Macbook Pro for 2 years that has been incredible, but I know you said $500. From what I hear, Acer is surprisingly good in the pc world.

[irish2u2]

I'm strictly an Apple guy since 1992 but when I worked in the PC world Dell was the way to go. Best Buy has a good looking Dell Inspiron for sale for $549 if you can swing it. Intel i5 processor at 2.5 GHz with TurboBoost up to 3.1 GHz, 6 GB RAM and a 750 GB HD. Looks like a nice machine. Under $500 Dell, HP and Toshiba have some decent machines that certainly will meet your needs. Pass on Extended Care offers. I'd look into them if I bought a high end laptop but at the cheaper price points it's not worth the time, trouble and cost. Good luck.

[StrangeGator]

We're a Mac household, but because of my wife's job and my son's nerdiness, we've brought two Windows based laptops into the house, a Lenova and an HP. I never touch either one, except to move them out of my way, but from what I hear, they are pretty reliable. From what I know of moving them, never ever drop one of these on your toes. Are the hard drives made of lead? How do you people carry these things around?

FWIW, nothing is more reliable than the Macbook Pro, but buying one to check email is like buying a Porsche to pick up your dry cleaning. Even referbs are expensive. The Macbook Air might be worth a look.