2001AudiS4

I am looking to replace my laptop with a new one for my business. I have three criteria that I absolutely must have. Bluetooth, Bluray, and HDMI. I will be using it on job sites to program remotes, distributed audio systems, as well as all the usual business stuff. I cannot believe the issues I have had finding computers that have all three criteria. I will NOT buy a Dell. I had a REDICULOUS experience with their support in the past and suffice to say I am done with them forever. I wanted to get an IBM/Lenovo since I can get a nice discount on them and they have exceptional support, but they do not offer any laptops with a bluray player. I called them to confirm that. I can get an HP that has everything I want for a little of a grand. I would prefer to spend less then that at this time, but if I have to will go that much. I am just hesitant only because of the issues a lot of the older HP/Compaq machines had where their power adapters were snapping off the board. I have one that did it, and both my sister and mother did. Read a lot of stuff online that it was very common. However, this was a few years ago and I haven't read anything on the new machines doing this.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas on some other options out there that I am missing.

jupitersolo

Toshiba and Sony have BluRay

litesout

I've got a 2 1/2 year old Sony that meets your criteria. Still works great. I would stay away from HP. Along with the power adapter problems, they also had some serious motherboard issues. I've looked at 4 of them recently that wound up being bad motherboards.

MWalsh9152

Stogie and I both recommend HP

#1 STUNNA

ZOMG, you have to get a Mac, it can do EVERYTHING!

mn2trance

I just got a Toshiba with all 3 of your criteria for $979. You didn't mention weight though and this one is on the heavy side at 7lbs.

AZuser

except play Blu Ray














or get a virus

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

Are you dead set on builtin bluetooth. You know you can get a TINY bluetooth adapter to add to the machine.

for example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-001-_-Product

Whiskers

Sony...

2001AudiS4

Thanks guys. I always thought that Sony was a bit expensive, but didn't check them out this go around. Mac's are out. They software for most of the components I have to program is not available for Macs. I tried using a colleagues Mac running virtual pc and had some relatively large issues getting everything to work properly. I have always like Toshibas, so I will check them out. Are they available direct or do you have to go through a retail store?

2001AudiS4

I can go this route if I absolutely have to, but prefer not to. I will be using this machine in the field a lot and will be utilizing bluetooth to print invoices and receipts to a bluetooth printer I am going to be installing in my van. I would prefer not to have to fumble around to plug in an external adapter if I can avoid having to do so.

nj2pa2nc

i have a toshiba and never again-not very happy with it-

2001AudiS4

What kind of problems have you had?

CocheseUGA

Those adapters are so small you never have to take them out. Just saying.

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

I was saying you'd leave it plugged up always since its so small and wouldn't get caught on things.

At any rate, just got my wife a Toshiba from BestBuy and we haven't had any problems thus far. We've had it less than 6 months though and it didn't come with a blu-ray player. I think they have sony's with the specs you need but i'm not 100%. We did the 18 months no interest on the BB credit card they offered(offer still available).

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately, with those specs you'll be looking at a grand to spend. those options are not widespread and common yet.
If you haven't already, check out Asus. They started off making motherboards for PC's and then snowballed into a very reliable company.

I found some that meet your requirements.
Asus N71JQ-A1
Asus G73JH-A1

That was a quick search, let me know if that helped.

mn2trance

^ Mine wasn't a grand. That was the total price w/ free shipping and no tax being paid.

mn2trance

^ See post #6 again.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Yes, but Toshiba is not sexy at all.

2001AudiS4

Sorry, I forgot to mention size. I would like to go no bigger then a 15.6" screen. Once you get above that it gets a bit cumbersome to carry around. A 14 inch would be preffered. I built a Sony online and it came out to about $1200. The HP I had built came with an extra power adapter and a port replicator for less money.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Get an iPad!

fsttyms1

You are going to get responses like that with every make.

I have been running 3 toshiba laptops for 5 years now not one of them ever had an issue. I also have 3 dells that have been the same as the toshiba. I had the opposite experience with dell as you with a different laptop that i was pleasantly surprised and happy about the outcome.

I would stay away from HP though, we have had nothing but MB issues with them at work and i will never purchase them again after all the issues. (bought 4 computers, within 1 year all 4 had MBs fail, HP replaced them 3 of the 4 died in 6 months, 1 is about as slow as a 15 year old computer loaded with spyware)

vas25tl

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-NA-_-NA-_-NA

No Blu-Ray though. Good specs for $850. I'm sure you could put in a Blu-Ray drive.

the i5 is sweet. I hopped on a Gateway in January with i5, blu-ray, HDMI for $500. Had to wait in line at BB to get it.

vas25tl

I had a HP entertainment notebook for about 2 years, hinges went out, LCD screen went out, Vista sucked. Otherwise it was an okay machine. I fixed everything for about $120 and did labor myself.

I had a Dell for 2 years, 5 hard drives later I sold it on Craigslist.

jupitersolo

You can have problems with any make laptop, I've never heard good things about Gateway.

Have been using a HP for over four years, no problems, except replacing the battery.

Dell for over four years, had to replace LCD, done under warranty.

nj2pa2nc

had to send it back to Toshiba 2 times within 8 months so they could replace the mother board (I think that is what it is called) I found the hard way not to use it on your lap-the battery gets extremely hot and got a burn from it. I now have it on a small computer table. It shuts down a lot and I have to re-boot it. I am now on a cheap acer notebook which seems to be better even if the screen is 10.1" compared to the 17" toshiba (still have it)

vas25tl

I never even looked at a Gateway either but at a $500 price point, it changed my mind.

Sold my POS HP for $300, bought 2 more Gateways and sold at a $75 profit each...

The Gateway came out to be $83 with a wireless printer. That was worth it just to get rid of Vista to me. So far so good, PS4 works great on the i5 and I haven't had a single issue. It's only been about 4 months but can't complain so far.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Actually, I just did a quick search for toshiba and their specs look amazing.
I wouldn't mind picking one up.

Like all electronics, some are gonna be duds and some will perform nothing less than stellar.

brizey

I just bought a Toshiba recently and it has been great so far. Anecdotal, but there you have it.

The little tiny bluetooth adapters work fine if you have a spare USB port. I have one and just leave it plugged in. It sticks out maybe 3 mm.

I would shop Asus. Their CS is hit and miss, but they have a two year limited parts and labor warranty.

Newegg had a few Sony's for less that $1000 that met your specs.

GIBSON6594

I love my Dell Studio and it can do all the things you need. Honestly man, everyone has horror stories about a brand or product. It doesn't mean it's going to the that way for every product.

I had a NIGHTMARE with an Audi I purchased a couple years ago, doesn't mean I won't look at them again.

2001AudiS4

It has nothing to do with the product. It has to do with the company. I had an 8 month old laptop with a failing hard drive. I ran diagnostics on it and they all failed. The fan on the laptop also failed. Was on hold over a 3 day period for TEN hours with tech support. That's right, 10 hours waiting on hold. When I did get to speak with someone, I told her the issues I was having. She told me to hold the phone up to the computer . She said the computer SOUNDED like it was working within spec. She REFUSED to replace the hard drive under warranty ( I had bought a 3 year extended warranty that was supposed to cover everything). When I mentioned that the computer was getting so hot from the fact that the fan no longer worked, she said they do not call them laptops anymore and that I should put it on a desk and it will not be a problem.

They never replaced or fixed any issues. I had to contact the state attorney general and bbb on the issues. Only after the state attorney general contacted them did they offer to buy back my 8 month old computer at 70% of what I paid for it. Dell is a POS company that I will never deal with again, PERIOD.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^ are you serious?
Sounds like you called a joke center.
I've never heard of some one placing the phone to the computer to make sure it "SOUNDS" right.....

CocheseUGA

I listen to Clark Howard on a regular basis, and Dell CS did get pretty bad at one point. This isn't the case anymore.

2001AudiS4

That may be the case but they lost my business forever.

CocheseUGA

Your loss, not theirs.

2001AudiS4

I beg to differ. They offer nothing that is a must have for me, and like I said, they lost my business forever with their lack of service. I do not care if they have improved. They were downright nasty to me, never made any sort of restitution, and forced me to pay 30% on a defective product they wouldn't fix even with an extended warranty. I could care less about them, period.

CocheseUGA

Limiting your choices in an already somewhat limited market, basing your decisions in part due to upper management that is no longer in control...again, it's to your detriment.

So, good luck.

fsttyms1

The only problem i ever had with a dell they promptly took care of. I had a issue they thought was a HD issue while talking to them on the phone that night, the very next morning they had a HD at my door step. Put it in and set every thing up and the issue returned. That same day they had a shipping box at my door step with the delivery guy waiting to take it away. which 2 days later i received a new laptop.

I understand you had issues with them but i wouldnt completely rule them out. They do make a good product.

JediMindTricks

bought an asus earlier this year. prior to that, i had a toshiba that had been great for 3 years.

2001AudiS4

I understand that people had good luck with them, I did not. If others put themselves in my shoes and had that happen to them, would you go back and purchase from them ever again? I couldn't care less if the company was sold to completely new owners with new management and new employees all the way through. I will not chance it. Especially with a machine I will be using solely for business. I just cannot risk having what happened in the past happening now, and do not want to deal with that company again. To others that wish to use them, good luck to you. I choose not to. I would rather spend more and go another route. If IBM had a machine that had bluray I would already have it ordered. Unfortunately they just do not currently offer one.