Best lap top and pda"s around

[Al Pollock]

Hello People ...............I am going to ask a question which should promote some interesting coversation.....
1. What is the best all around laptop out there today
2. What is the best all around PDA out there today


Cost /reliability /support/etc.

[glc]

1. IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads.
2. Everyone is going to have their own opinions. I prefer the Palm platform.

[StreetSermonz]

1. I like Thinkpads, also love my VAIO (even tho the display just got dim )
2. I just bought an AXIM 51v, you can get a pretty good deal on Dell.com (25% off) then you can browse the web for coupons, and also buy one off of eBay for .99 ($35 off purchase of $300 or more)

[doctorgonzo]

1. I recommend IBM/Lenovo or Toshibas.
2. I only recommend Palm-OS PDAs. I and other techs have had nothing but trouble with Windows-based PDAs when it comes to syncing calendars or doing over-the-air (wireless) syncing, although it depends on your environment.

[mairving]

1.) Always had good luck with Dell Lattitudes.
2.) Palm is good and stable but I am not really sure if it is going to survive in it's current state.

[Statica]

1) Toshibas or IBMs
2) Hmm a variety of ways to answer:
- if I were to buy one today - Windows Mobile or Symbian based. I have serious doubts about Palm's survival. I would probably go for a Symbian phone, simply because I dont have to worry a great deal about cross compatibility with other PDA users.
- what I have currently, a Symbian-based smartphone (P900) - I dont like the abilities of a PDA, when I know I will have to dedicate one pocket to a cell fone anyway - just like I can't stand unitasking MP3 players which just budens me with dedicated pocket real estate .. not to mention cabling
- Can't stand Palms!

If my phone "died" in 6 months, this is what would be in my pocket.

[thefultonhow]

1. The best laptops are IBM Thinkpads, hands down (or Apple Powerbooks if you don't like Windows). However, both are quite expensive -- if you have to get a lower-end model, definitely go for a Dell. If you're going to be gaming, get a high-end Dell, or if you don't want a 17" widescreen, a Sager or Asus.

As for Toshiba, my brother's M35X has been quite unreliable (we had to buy an extended warranty after our first repair turned out not to be sufficient -- days before the one-year mark -- and ended up using the warranty three more times in two months), and I have seen quite a few class-action lawsuits in the news lately about Toshibas. PC World ranks Toshiba and Dell identically in the reliability category (although I think most of Dell's problems come from their bottom-of-the-line laptops), but Dell's support is better.

2. I have a Treo 650 and love it. However, if I were to get a different PDA in a couple of months, I would get this:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/06/s...-0-musicphone/

Standalone PDAs are fast becoming obsolete -- I'd rather have a convergence device.

[Statica]

Originally Posted by thefultonhow 1. The best laptops are IBM Thinkpads, hands down (or Apple Powerbooks if you don't like Windows).

I cant wait for Vista to see if it will load up on the Macbook. In any event, once I get more info on a new Intel compatible Virtual PC am going Apple.

Originally Posted by thefultonhow However, if I were to get a different PDA in a couple of months, I would get this: http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/06/s...-0-musicphone/

I'm guessing they didnt use Paul Mercer to design that

Originally Posted by thefultonhow Standalone PDAs are fast becoming obsolete -- I'd rather have a convergence device.

Absolutely .. however, the archaic North American wireless networks are increasingly becoming a bottleneck to the types of convergence devices that are available in Asia and Europe

[Staren]

1. If you have the money, thinkpad, thinkpad, thinkpad. If you're on a tight budget, Dell Latitudes for sure.

2. I love my old handspring palm. I still use it for quite a bit, but I think the Palm OS is getting a little dated. Anyway, if I was buying new, I would go for a cell phone pda for the double functionality. I like the Palm Treo 700w.

[LaptopExtreme]

Well it all depends on how you use them. And what features you're looking for...

1. Asus, Sony, & Toshiba. I need awesome screens, IR/bluetooth, multimedia, and card readers. IBM's are great business systems and basic computing.

2. People love their Treos and the Dell Axim X51v is spectacular for Multimedia (but it's heavy). HP's line up is very good too.

[Al Pollock]

Hello people want to thank you all for your two cents worth

[daveyp225]

1. IBM definetly is top of the line, but for value and performance I recommend Compaq. I have owned 5 Compaq laptops and all have been great with the only downside being the pre-installed software (which is easily removed). My current is a v2000, over a year old and still going strong.

2. As a long-time PPC user, I think I am going to make the switch to Palm. The new Palm TX is a very attractive, feature-packed device that, from what I can see, has only gotten praise from its users. I still recommend PPC devices, although I have often had to do resets on any MW device I have ever used. I am hoping the TX will be a different experience...

[FireByyrd]

Just got an IBM T43. Bit pricey in my opinion but it serves its purpose quite well and I've been a bit rough with it, and it works flawlessly. Soon to work in a college enviroment, I'm 99% sure it will last for years ahead. Keep in mind, there is no gaming in store for the IBM thinkPad user

the warranty seems to be great, but I haven't tried it. Says you can can bring in and repair, and give replacement notebooks, I'm not sure if the company keeps it word, because I haven't tried using the warranty service, but I trust IBM should be fairly decent with customer service/warranty and such since they have been in the business for so long.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by FireByyrd Keep in mind, there is no gaming in store for the IBM thinkPad user

I have played Need for Speed Most Wanted on my T43p; it can't run at maximum settings, but it does play reasonably well.

[Joeberg]

IBM - nothing but reliable. I'm going to be on my fourth Thinkpad soon.. Customer for life.

If not IBM, Dell's have been reliable for me as well...

For PDA's -
I'm in love with my father's Palm Treo 650...