Notebook Aesthetics

We all want a notebook that will be hot and sexy for years to come, but which notebooks can stand the test of time? What aesthetically do you like/not like about your notebook? Obviously the purpose of this forum is to talk about visual modifications to your notebook, but I'd create a database of information as to which notebooks are built to be more aesthetically pleasing so they don't look like rusty eyesores after 2 months of use.

For example:

The back side of my Dell E1505 scratches the paint off easily. The scratches are clearly visible, and I think it makes the notebook look junky.

What have you noticed about your Asus/Compal/Alienware etc. that could have been done better?
Does the space bar on the keyboard not work well?
Do you love the way people stare at your sleek design everytime you walk into Starbucks?
Is your touchpad a little too touchy?


User posts

ALIENWARE:
Holds up well.

DELL:
Case scratches easily. Scratches clearly visible.

TOSHIBA:
Scratches easily, but not noticeable because not painted.

 

Alienwares have held up well for me. On my Sentia bought June of 05, i noticed a chip above the alien eye. Not a chip in the paint, but a chip in the case. its not big, less than a finger nail, but that was due to me throwing it in my backpack when i was in a hurry for class. When i opened up and saw it i punched myself in the face.

 

All I can say is stay away from Dell's Inspiron line up, They scratch easily, and they're ugly... they'd fit perfectly with the rest of my kitechen ware due to the white bands.

 

My Toshiba is covered in scratches, but the plastic isn't painted -- it's colored plastic, so unless you look close, it still looks pretty decent.

 

Someone at my school also has the e1505, and hers has ugly scratches in the paint on the lid, too. I thought she must treat it pretty roughly (and maybe she does), but it sounds like she's not the only one with that problem.

I sure hope my new m1210's looks will hold up better. Of course, I treat it like a baby so that should help. I love the aesthetics--the black and silver are understated but very sharp looking.

 

So far my 1210 has held up good, although the panel right below the screen has paint rubbing off.

 

So far mines has lasted pretty well, its about a year old now, and, except for the dust(I'll blow it off via canned air later tonight) and the worn out keyboard, it looks brand new.

Though, generalizing one brand by one example isn't much of a source...

 

I'll probably get flamed for saying this but I think Dells are really ugly! I like a nice simple yet elegant design, looks are really important to me, I could never get a laptop that I thought was ugly.

I like some Toshibas and most Acers, I think they're generally the most stylish out there.

As for my experience of Toshibas (this is my third), the paint on the portege slowly wore off as it was carted around in various bags all over the place for four years, otherwise it was the most reliale laptop I ever had.


Til i dropped it!

 

I agree with you jess_paws,dell notebooks are ugly and I'm a devoted dell consumer, I love the look of Alienware & Toshiba. Haven't had problems with either of my dell notebooks yet.

 

ya, I own one laptop.. An Apple G3 300mhz Ibook, from 1999.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/stats/ibook.html
It's the first in the "clamshell" series (teal). If it wasn't so perty, I'd probably have dropped it off a 7 story building by now for fun. Oh.. and yes... it still works.. and I still use it for Illlustrator on the go. I only wish I could use OSX =P

 

pretty? clamshell macs weren't pretty. nor were the bubble imacs. dells aren't pretty either. in fact, it's pretty damned near impossible to find a laptop these days that truly is aesthetically pleasing -- most of them always do at least one stupid thing with the looks.

 

I think I'm gonna have to go ahead and say.. lets just agree to disagree.

 

My macbook pro has had a couple bumps with the metal frame on my bed and the lid is unscathed. Granted the bumps weren't hard but the bed frame is like steel and it's aluminum for god's sake. And I believe the finish will remain flawless for years to come...hopefully. I love how it looks and I'd hate to have something get scratched.