My Toughest Laptops (my story of abuse)
Well I’ve used many different laptops in the past with my online and offline businesses. I spend a whole whack of time on these infernal notebooks, laptops, or whatever you want to call the damn things.
They stopped being toys a long time ago and that’s fine, because they’re just objects. I used be really anal about cleanliness and handling of my desktops and laptops, but that has change over the last 6 years. I toss them sometimes, close them up and use them for coasters and dinner trays. I throw them in and out of my car(s) and sometimes I don’t bother with a laptop bag. I let me dog (96 pound golden retriever) sit on my laptops if they so choose warm up the infernal pieces of crap.
Now I say with all humility that I am my own worst enemy when it comes to the endless stream of money I have to spend on laptops, but I don’t believe notebooks and laptops are meant to last for a decade. Maybe two years at the most. The hardware, chipsets, peripheals, and software always takes another leap within two years so you are due for a new one anyway. This is why I treat my laptops with such disrespect I suppose. Also, I did what is not a great idea - I made my hobby a job, and this is why these laptops are only tools now and not toys.
Which Laptops Have Stood Up to My Abuse
So you’re likely wondering which laptop brands I’ve used. Toshiba, Gateway, Hp, Dell, and Mac. I use mostly PC software and computers for my work, and I use Mac for recreational work such as DAW’s (google it) and Photo and Movie work. As far as durability goes, the Mac notebooks are not really any tougher than some of their PC counterparts. Some Mac fans would of course disagree and that debate is now nauseating
However, overall the Mac notebooks and and the Gateway laptops have been the most durable and resistant to my constant abuse. I have found the Hp laptops to be very fragile and don’t far well with constant abuse. I was going through an Hp laptop every 6-10 months, Toshiba laptops lasted about 12 -16 months with constant disregard for care.
The clear winner in my case has been the Gateway laptops. I mean driving over them with your car is not a good idea, but the two that I’ve had have been “done over” with complete disregard for longevity. I’m actually writing this post on one of these abused Gateway machines. The exterior case is scratched beyond belief and 4 of the keys are black because I have worn the paint off of them.
There about 8 little specs in the screen where the LCD finally gave up from my excessive nastiness. These specs are at the lowest center position of the display so it’s not really a big deal - does not affect my work at all. The screen is still bright, but not as bright as a new machine. Actually, this is the only complaint I have with the Gateway machines. The screens, displays, monitors (whatever you want to call it - don’t care) are not as bright as some of the other machines I’ve used.
Toshiba machines are quite durable too, but their power connection breaks like the HP models. One of the reason this Gateway has lasted so long is because the AC power connection is a 90 degree thin wire connection. Not as smart as the Mac laptop power connections with their magnet attachment and ultra thin wire.
Enough….my experience shows these are the toughest in order.
Toughest Laptop List
#1 - Gateway
#2 - Mac
#3 - Toshiba
#4 - Dell
#5 - Hp
Tags: gateway, hp, laptops, mac, notebooks, toshiba, toughest. tough
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