So my relatively new computer (~2 years old, Dell Inspiron something or other) just broke in a bad-but-not-wholly-unfixable way after a long string of minor annoyances and problems. had an increasingly hard time recognizing wi-fi networks, would randomly and extremely frequently disconnect from networks or go to "no connection" errors even on a strong signal. disconnecting/reconnecting or troubleshooting network problems would usually fix this, but sometimes it would glitch up again as soon as it was fixed wouldn't recognize chargers as legitimate sometimes and would only power from them, not charge the battery (it said it only wanted official dell chargers but it would recognize off-brand ones at first then stop as they became more worn) battery might also be independently busted? the back of the screen won't snap properly closed, from damage when I got a broken screen replaced relatedly, apparently super difficult to service, and all the servicing I got on it while it was under warranty generally broke something else also, breaks fairly easily Anyways what eventually happened is that it ran out of battery power while refusing to charge, then the power cord almost-but-not-quite broke so the power would cut out randomly, then it cut out while the computer was trying to start and now windows won't boot properly. Second point: I am ridiculously, ludicrously tough on electronics for ??? reasons. My family jokes it's my entropic aura. Power cords for my computers generally last ~3 months while nobody else I know has ever had to replace one. There's a not-for-profit computer repair place that might be able to fix my old machine for as little as like $120, but I'm worried that that'll just be buying a little more time before I'd have to buy a new computer anyways, given aforementioned problems, lack of durability and Aura of Destruction. It would let me put off deciding on a new computer for a bit, though. If I do get a new computer, my needs are screen with good color quality and resolution portable: small and/or light durable af or at least a nice long warranty definitely below $1000, preferably below $600 at least 200G storage, 4G RAM (preferably more, but i'm willing to sacrifice here for size and price) several usb ports and an sd port if at all possible, an easy-to-replace power cord preferably windows, although not-windows isn't a dealbreaker preferably fairly easy to service I've looked around at the computer repair/refurbishing place (beautiful small and durable business computer for <$200, but very little memory and the shitty screen was a dealbreaker), the local windows store (everything looked way too fragile and mostly too expensive) and best buy, which was the most promising, but the computers they had on display were generally much more power than i needed and a hell of a lot more expensive than I wanted. The geek squad warranty they offered was pretty good (3 years with an option to extend to 5, including accidental hardware damage) so I was thinking of buying something online that I could get covered with that, but online reviews seem to be saying that geek squad was pretty unreliable, including with upholding their warranties, so ??? I've been tentatively thinking about lenovo thinkpad business computers, because my sibling got a refurbished one recently with an internal steel frame, which sounds like the kind of durability i'm looking for, but I don't know that much about them otherwise (and screen quality is hard to assess not-in-person) So I guess the advice im looking for is repair or get a new computer now? If you think I should get a new computer now, do you know any good places to look or models that might be good for me?
if you DO get a new computer, lenovo is ime a good company. my brother's laptop bravely survived a Very Hard Life until it was tragically stepped on (long story)--and it apparently had a factory defect! and was replaced free. screen quality was nice imo, but i just recently got a computer that has semi-nice graphics for the first time so i'm not very objective and someone i know has had a lenovo since ~2008 with much success. can't recommend specific models rn because phone at 2% but ye! i guess my advice would be to pick a model you like and compare the price (and guarantee of it working for 3yrs) with a repair cost (and any guarantee it may come with) and see which benefits you the most?
Business Lenovos are tanks, and fairly easy to work on for a laptop. I'm not sure how their consumer models are, but they look pretty decent too (Way out of your price range, but the Wacom pen-enabled screens on some models are an artist's dream.)
I've also had a thinkpad since, like, 2012, and during that time I've dropped it approximately four million times it's a little slower now, and I've had to replace the charger, and the bezel is cracked, and I had to replace a few keys, but given how much of a trainwreck I am, it's doing great
I must third the lenovo recommendation. My baby has lasted 4 years and is still going strong hardware wise, aside from the hard drive reaching it's end of life, and most of their laptops have generally the same teardown process. Overall, I know them to be hella built to last (have you seen a thinkpad, holy shit those are monsters) and made mostly of metal instead of cheap plastic that would easily break while servicing. If you don't mind sacrificing a CD drive and a small amount of portability (they average in at about 5 pounds) I suggest looking at the ideapad series, especially the older models such as the 500-series. They're gaming rigs, which clocks them in at a 1TB hybrid hard drive and 8GB-16GB of RAM. Thinkpad's still weigh in a little heavy weight wise, as far as I know, but they are by far the most durable IMO. Lenovo took great pointers from IBM's manufacturing process. Also, I think most models have drivers all the way down to windows 7 available on the Lenovo website, so if you ever want to downgrade from what it comes with, that's a breeze as long as you have a license.
If you can't get a lenovo, look into Acer, they make good stuff as well. Got a 7 year old Acer netbook that is still doing well.
I have been using Lenovo for many years (like around ten but my memory is poopy). Only had two of them (they last a LONG time even when dropped a lot). An X60 tablet/notebook hybrid that lasted about 5-6 years until I let it get too dirty inside and the fan croaked and it refused to start. It was old so replacing it was due anyway. A Yoga 2 Pro tablet/notebook hybrid that I am currently using. The Pro version is worth it because of the better CPU (I7 vs I5) and more RAM (8G vs 4G) and a bunch of other details - win pro version instead of a home version, which is a HUGE difference, 3200x1800 screen resolution. BUT - only two USB ports - one of which can be configured to supply power to a USB device even when the puter is off. No physical net ports - wifi or USB net only. Weighs about 3 pounds. Nice metal shell coated in something that makes it feel rubbery. Less than an inch thick when folded. Dropping it often has not made any noticeable marks. Power connector is an odd square thing so need to have a Lenovo power supply for it. Lasts 4-8 hours on a full charge, depending on graphics and wifi usage. Has a nice energy app that is good at prolonging battery life if you use it mostly plugged in (batteries do not last as long if kept at full charge all the time). Other than the power control app the Lenovo addons are poop and I disabled/deleted most of them after a few months, improving performance a lot.
