I've worked on a few laptops and the only ones worth working on are Dell or HP. IBM Thinkpads are the worst as far as getting the blasted things apart. Not sure if that carried over to Lenova or not.

I've read online of many problems with HP, had to fix afew Pavillions for friends.

some other website recommended Asus over the common brands, when it comes to laptops.
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/17/reliability.study.has.apple.4th.place/

you must choose, but choose wisely

My netbook is an Asus (1000HE) and I've been incredibly impressed with it. Upgraded memory and the hard drive, very accessible. Like I said, it runs Vista just fine. The next portable I buy will be an Asus, and one of their integrated pc/monitors for the kids before long.

When buying a laptop, everyone should get a laptop desk like this:



Keeps a flat, hard surface underneath for airflow. Setting the laptop/netbook down on the bed or a pillow is just going to kill it. I got one just like that but without the wrist pads at Borders. Also gives you room for a mousepad (more so with a netbook, but my wife uses one too with her laptop).

Good news Pauldun. Probably worth your while buying one of those cooling lap pads...

BOY THIS TICKED ME OFF. I see Compaq is alive and well. And dear Carly Fiorina (former CEO) simply GUTTED a great company (the HP side).

Raw Kryptonite:

Totally agree with your advice--- but the reason I'm shelling out $500 to HP is for a known design flaw affecting THOUSANDS of models. HP doesn't have the ethics for a recall, so I'm joining the class action suit (you know, so the trial lawyers can also get rich).

And I'm with you: hard to go wrong with anything ASUS makes!

d.