Is build quality worth money?

Huh...
Either there's something wrong with the forums, or the OP forgot to input the text into the original post.
Or there's another issue at play.

The question on which the thread is based on though is relatively self-evident though.

Is build quality worth the money?
Depends really.
Build quality is highly subjective and varies throughout the 'brands' as we understand them.
To that end, even no-name brands can have very high build quality and last a bit longer but cost next to nothing compared to some well known brand names.

Acer for example has usually been (in the past) associated with lower quality, and supposedly this has changed over the past 4 years or so. Experiences in this regard differ (as is expected).
I have an Acer laptop (in my sig) for 3 and a half years now and it is pretty good (minus a minor/rare issue with the video cable that's corrected by closing/opening the lid or juggling the video cable a bit).

To that end, I also have a DELL laptop which works since 2006 (it fell on the floor twice hard which broke the old HDD and probably the backlight so I had to replace both, and other than that, the thing works).

If you have the money, then paying more for build quality could I guess be beneficial if you expect to be handling the laptop relatively poorly (though I had my share of 'accidents' without any faults happening, so ... again, its all relative).

I would get a laptop from a relatively reputable company that doesn't cost much, or if its a 'no-name' one, then try to find decent reviews of the laptop you are getting from them and base your conclusions on an informed decision

 

It's kind of hard to define build quality. There are many components :

1/ Risk of a component failure over the standard period of use : mostly based on the performance of the cooling system and a luck factor imho as the manufacturers usually use the same suppliers for components as motherboards, RAM, CPU, GPU...

2/ Risk of software generated bugs : dependent on the manufacturer.

3/ Case reliability, display quality, thickness, weight => actual elements of differenciation

Some are subjective, others are not (up to a certain point). Also tradeoffs are often involved. I don't quite see the point you're trying to make.

Build quality has a value and as such everyone is able to put a price on it, given the subjective elements and the relative uncertainty people will sometimes come to regret their decision when they're able to do a better estimation of the real value of the build quality of their recent purchase... but then it's one of the many reasons why NBR exists, so people can benefit from other members' feedback and experience and make better decisions.

 

Build quality is worth money; ie look at ThinkPads, ToughBooks, Macbook Pro's, Alienwares, Precisions, Elitebook mobile workstation, any business oriented laptop.

 

^That. x100

Good build quality is paramount to me. Almost of equal importance is component selection... but without a quality/well built case, what good are the components?!

 

IMO, after using a few MBP and Alienwares, I wouldn't put them in the same category as any of the other notebooks. But I definitely agree that build quality is worth the cost.

 

Yes, to me build quality is worth money. How much is subjective to each user's needs. A lot of people like to poo poo companies like Acer/Asus/MSI that have had their moments of subpar material choices but perhaps we all just need to come to grips is that those choices may have been made to serve a different market.

There are the enthusiasts who just want the most performance for their dollar, the enthusiasts who want a lot of performance but also a solid construction that they know can take a bit of a beating, the enthusiasts who need their laptops to meet certain visual aethestics, and of course everything in between.

Every tiny little bit that makes a laptop more desirable to a person is worth money.

 

Build quality is important but it's not much without performance. Otherwise you could just purchase a Toughbook (does Panasonic still make those?) and surf the web.

 

Well I don't think that is the case. Okay we have a 379 Acer with a SB i3, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, IGP. But a E6520 with those same specs is like 700 bucks, why? Build quality and the 3 year warranty. The Acer has a cheap pos plastic chassis, any kind of trauma and it will literally fall apart. Ever seen a Latitude fall apart minus extreme trauma?

TBH, the specs isn't everything. If you replaced the average Joe's Core i7 laptop with a Core 2 Duo, they probably won't notice the difference, so thus I think build quality is more important than specs.

 

I do think build quality is worth the money but let's say someone buys a gaming rig and then all they do is watch video and surf the net and youtube. That to me is a waste of money and all it did was nothing substantial for their computing needs. All that did was say hey look what I can buy and use and that to me was hey look how clueless the purchase was. Now if one does alot of gaming hardcore and CAD and Video/Music production where alot of juice is needed on demand this would qualify for a power rig to do the job and get it done. But then one sacrifices portability for weight which can be a downright heavy weight lifter for some power rigs. But I do have Gaming Rig desktop for high power games just I don't game as much as I used to do but that I can always go back to it when I need to break some everyday stress....

 

I don't understand... How is any of that relevant? How does the build quality of a laptop relate to someone buying a gaming laptop and only using it to browse the web?

Let me make it quite clear - build quality has absolutely nothing to do with the specifications or performance of a machine.

How well it is made, how sturdy it feels, what materials it is made out of, how much you can knock it around before something breaks... THAT is build quality, and if you're expecting your device to last more than 1 year then yes i think it is absolutely paramount.

Alienware has great build quality, especially the M11x's due to their small form which makes everything close and tight, plus the magnesium chassis and bottom covers keep everything rigid. Definitely worth the price, especially for the in-home warranty.

 

Actually the M11x build quality isn't that great, it had terrible hinges on the R1/R2 so much that you get 1 year warranty extra for the hinge. I was referring to the Flextronics M17x line (R1/R2), the M18x, any Alienware with the metalliac chassis are super sturdy, my R2 weighs 12.8 pounds as the chassis is metal unlike the cheapo R3 which has a plastic chassis.

 

how is the asus g55vw's build quality?

 

Seems solid enough. I saw a g75 at the local best buy and played around with it a bit, didn't notice any flex or flaws of any sort.

 

What? You mean this flimsy hinge issue hasn't been solved yet?

 

I wouldn't put it at the same level as a business class notebook, but if it is anything like the previous G5x/G7x series it is at least decent. I wouldn't count on it surviving a high drop, but it won't break from normal use and being carried around a lot, that is for sure.

 

I'm debating on whether I should fork out for a G55VW or just get a Geforce 670 for my aging c2d desktop and just continue using my thinkpad for mobility computing.

 

If you don't need mobility for gaming, i'd go with the 670 and maybe a mobo and CPU upgrade eventually. The 670 will give you a lot more power, but enough of that, let's not stray too far from topic. Besides, yout thinkpad is more solid that the G series for sure.

 

You make a point here. Some notebooks are designed to be workhorses from the ground up. Therefore, you can't compare the business class notebooks to those sold to the standard consumer. These are two totally different markets.

 

As an Alienware owner, I've been incredibly satisfied with the build quality. My previous Sager was also quite good (AW is better if I were to compare).

Previous laptops from Asus/MSI/HP/Toshiba have been nothing but disappointments for me in terms of build quality (too many to list).

I'd rather take a performance hit and have superior quality/warranty instead of having superior performance and poor quality/warranty.

 

Ask me again next week when my relatively cheap HP dv7 comes in. The specs and price are great but the build quality will determine whether or not I decide to keep it versus spending more money on something higher end.

 

Build quality can have multiple definitions, feel/aesthetics or durability/reliabilty.

1. If a company makes a device with plastic and another with "liquid metal" or whatever is "cool" and both are equal in durability and reliability, then it doesn't really matter to me as a technical person.

2. If material A is shown to be more durable/reliable than B then it does matter and is worth paying extra money. Now even this has a limit because if material A lasts 20 years and material B lasts 15 then who cares? The device will be replaced long before.

 

Build quality is very important to me. I keep my laptops usually for 3+ years. I've had this one for almost 4years.There's really nothing worst than a laptop that cracks and creaks or bend and flex when your hands are resting on it trying to type. Well actually, being stabbed is worst.

I know my next laptop must have GPU muscles because I will again, keep it for 3-4years and I'd like to be able to play some games. It's just too bad thinkpad's don't carry a line with a gaming gpu; or G55VW isn't built as tough. I'd pay the extra money for the build quality in a heart beat.

 

then get a workstation class notebook. problem solved.

 

W530's gpu can't match any 15.6" asus G series when it comes to 3dgaming.

 

the you should look for the HP and dell offerings as well. or go for the 17'' format, since those usually pack the same power in terms of gpu as the 17'' gaming machines.

the w520 used a gtx 460m/560m with ddr3 ecc buffered, instead of the GGDR5 that was used in the gtx model. Thus the performance was slower in games.

Usually firepros are much more gaming friendly than the quadros. For example the m8900 was basically the 6970m, and it came on the hp 8760w

 

Build quality as I understand it is the ability to withstand the rigors of daily activity; and/or an occasional rough handling and remain in tact:

* If I'm running to catch the train will my laptop mind being jostled around a bit or will the screws and seams dislodge and come apart?

* Does the lettering and/or label wear off after 12 months of use?

* Does the paint fade/peel/flake off?

* Do buttons/switches lose their spring/rigidity?

* Does back lighting burnout/go dim?

* Does it bend/flex/warp out of shape?

* Does the hardware stand up to constant opening and closing?

As far as I'm concerned, a laptop having bad hinges is unacceptable under any circumstances and render the quality of everything else meaningless.

Thats how I rate build quality.

 

That's how i'd put it too, doesn't matter what material the laptop is made of if it can't withstand normal use. Some things like scratches are to be expected of course. Some notebooks are built to survive rougher handling of course, the toughbooks would be one example of notebooks built to survive almost anything. The thinkpads and elitebooks would be an example of a middle ground, won't survive water (i mean getting submerged, not spills), getting hit with a hammer, but they'll survive most reasonable drops and rough handling.

 

Workstation laptops aren't designed for gaming. Their workstation cards destroy consumer ones at certain tasks, ie. precision calculations. I do believe that if you install consumer drivers that it will perform at the equivalent of its consumer counterpart though.

 

depends on the card though, for example the w520 came with a quadro 2000m which is a 460m, but the catch here is that it comes with DDR3 ecc buffered, while the gaming gpu comes with gddr5.

firepros are more interesting to game on workstation laptops. they dont suffer from those hardware changes.

m8900 was a 6970m, much like the 5010m was a 485m with gddr5 ecc buffered

 

so what about the nv5400 that is available on a t530? how good is that compared to nvidia's gaming chips?

 

that is a simple rebrand of the gt 425m/430m/540m/550m/555m, AFAIK there is no ddr3 ecc buffered vram in there, that is a nvs gpu, not quadro.

sincerely far from a good gpu right now. it fills the role of entry range right now, with the rebrand of the 520m, and the latter is slower than the HD4000 from what I see

 

Let's not stray away from build quality shall we? Quadros while based off GeForce chips are totally different, and the drivers alone are proof of that.

I really don't see how build quality for consumers and business are that much different, Alienwares with metal chassis are pretty durable. Sure, cheapo laptops under 800 dollars usually have subpar quality materials.

 

I would agree with that traditionally, but as of late the gap is continuously widening. That's particularly true of the latest certified workstation releases.

 

no one is saying that they are equal or that the drivers arent different as well. But the point is that firepros are better for gaming than the quadros, and cheaper as well.

Its kind on topic, since there are people that wont be satisfied by the build quality that is current on the gaming laptops, and there is still a difference in the support for clevo/sager buyers and asus buyers, less so for the aw ones.

 

To business users the build quality is very important, since a crash can mean he/she cannot do anything for a few days. In fact this has happened often in my company so it switched to desktops late last year.

Some consumers probably do not care about the build quality, but to me that is the most important thing. I want my computer to serve me rather than the other way around. Indeed I spent so many time to "maintain" my old notebook that it really became a pain in the axx.

 

I have used a ibm 390e and 770x and an old toshib 386 laptop.
However build quality on the t22 firstly, was decent. Problem was the titanium used to heat up a lot so much hdd temps were 70 degrees and when the black rubber went the titanium finish was very hot. Overall it was good. Then I got an r40 in 2004 for £250 with pentium m 1.3ghz 2gb ram 80gb 4200rpm hdd 2 batteries overall last 8 hours on good one and it was 1400x1050 res and was so quiet you could only hard drive now and again.

I have used many laptops since like the ibm t60p t60 r500 t61 d630x2 dv5x2 dv6000 dv2000 dell d820 e6500 2530p 6930p 2930z vaio fz series and nr series and an acer 2930z and 5930g and hp probook and many more like a sony vaio 11.1 centrino laptop tr series even my cousins vostro and vaio or a tecra m5-390 which was rubbish at cooling and I believe I used a 12 inch apple g4.

Out of all them I was impressed with the hp elitebooks the dell d820 and d630 as well as my 5930g. I am sure I missed a few out but funnily enough I remember my brother saying never get an acer laptop, yet funnily enough we got this 5930g and my brother got a dell e6500 and the e6500 stopped working a year and a bit ago and we got rid recently and he is back using a d630 while my 5930g works well but he has 5 hour battery life I have 1 minute lol.

I forgot my other bro has a toshiba a500-1gl which I found not good as the speaker has no bass even though it is harmon kardon its 2.0 my acer is 2.1, its to fingerprint magnet, to wide for me but when you have it on your lap theres not much grip. The screen though looks very nice. Gaming performance is about the same but the toshiba is better for cpu intensive games.

I also have some business toshiba satellite machines.

Sorry for a long post.

Another thing I reckon business machines are not as good as what people say. The only good thing is they are most likely not going to break as in screen wise if you take it on a trip then a consumer line machine. I have used thinkpad keyboards and they have a great blocky style feeling feedback, similar to the elitebook and the d630 and d820 are similar but slightly worse. Funnily enough I find the 5930g keyboard the best to type on and the r40 as well was great.

 

Every time I thing of build well is MacBook pro/ air. I would pay more for build and warranty service equivalent to apple.
What are windows machines that match apple (this is not apple vs something), just comparing.

 

My experience with Dell and Lenovo business warranty and build quality, easily matches or exceeds my experience with Apple.

 

sgogeta4

Could you give me specific info. on 3 year. With apple I just take it to the store and most things fixed on the spot with reg. 3 year service plan $183. as student.
I'm looking all over think pad and dell xps and I don't see anything similar in price and not 100% understanding how their service works.
thanks for any info.

 

Uhh Lenovo and Dell offers on site warranty, aka they send a technician or contractor to your home/office next business day and repair it in front of you. They also offer accidental damage (Complete Care through Dell, ThinkPad Protection through Lenovo). Apple offers none of those, and have you EVER been inside any Apple store at the Genius Bar on the weekend? Try waiting 4 hours for an Apple rep to even talk to you. Apple's warranty and customer service is great for consumers but a no-no for businesses.

 

Uhhh... That's why you make an appointment at Apple.com. Sillyhead.

 

Doesn't change the fact Apple does not offer on site warranty or any kind of business warranty, which is why businesses...buy business laptops.

 

If you have an Apple product you already do.

 

Business class units especially workstations, now when I buy Apple i look at as consumer crud since I went to workstations.

1: same day or NBD onsite warrsnty, no lines, no driving no appointments. if im at home instead I just tell the tech and he finds me

2: duration , try getting a 5 year accidental warranty for a MBP

3: much better built in the first place, no heating, much faster, customizable

4: the oh crap i screwed up, Ive broken a $1200 IPS elitebook screen, tech comes and stuffs my drives and RAM in a new chasis, .... 10 minutes even got free CPU upgrade

5: if they dont have the parts or same system, instant new comp or upgraded model

6: direct remote access for software support, its almost instant ( 20 mins or less normally )

compare Apple support to Acer or Hp consumer its great, compared to HP, Lenovo, Dell business support its a joke

 

Perhaps you should first compare their prices?

Are Apple products truly superior, or are they simply giving you what you've paid for?

 

I'm not a buss. so I'm not looking for buss. on site service, I would rather come to a location like local apple store and get looked after.
I'm a student so if I buy Dell xps or IBM thinkpad they don't offer local service and I didn't see anything that 3 years will be covered for under 200.
I'm truly looking for advise as I had very good apple experience with other apple products.

 

You don't need to be a business customer to buy business. Just the average Joe doesn't go out and buy a business laptop. You don't need to have a local repair depot, they will dispatch a technician to your home or office.

Lenovo's 3 year warranty extension is pretty cheap, under 150 for an additional 2 years of depot, probably under 200 including on site repair. Plus using school codes isn't exactly fair, a 3 year warranty extension for a MBP is 250 dollars. If you can get a discount through your school for Lenovo/Dell site, the warranty extension would be cheaper too.

 

Since I'll be moving out of gaming on PCs for the forseeable future, my next laptop purchase (in at least a year or so) will most likely be a business notebook under $1K

Mr. Mysterious

 

All this talk about warranty and comparing traditional apple warranty vs thinkpad warranty is interesting. Although I don't own a Mac myself, I must say that thinkpad are solid. Had this one for 3years 7months and has never broken down. Wish I could say the same for my previous Asus notebook and Toshiba Tecra notebook. Both of those broke down *facepalm

 

I rarely ever own a laptop long enough to know if the warranty is worth a salt.