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Posted by: CJIS

Dell laptop explodes at Japanese conference

INQ reader's amazing snaps

By INQUIRER newsdesk: Wednesday 21 June 2006, 13:22
ord=Math.random();ord=ord*10000000000;
AN INQUIRER READER attending a conference in Japan was sat just feet away from a laptop computer that suddenly exploded into flames, in what could have been a deadly accident.
Gaston, our astonished reader reports: "The damn thing was on fire and produced several explosions for more than five minutes".
Should you witness such an event, his advice is, "Don't try anything courageous/stupid, stay away, away, away!"

"For the record, this is a Dell machine," notes Gaston. "It is only a matter of time until such an incident breaks out on a plane," he suggests.
Our witness managed to catch all the action in these amazing pictures.
"Fire extinguishers leave a mess on your suit and belongings; pack your stuff (if you can) and leave, leave, leave!" he advises.
We don't have any further details of the model of the computer in question. In light of the evidence, however, we'd suggest you avoid actually using a laptop on your lap. Ouch.


Follow Up story


Another Dell laptop catches fire

Office smoked out, fire brigade called

By INQUIRER newsdesk: Friday 28 July 2006, 10:14
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TOM'S READERS may not be quite as quick on the draw as ours, but maybe it shows that if you use a Dell lappie, you should keep you digital camera at the ready, just in case.
Tom's Newbie Henrik says he was hard at work when he "started hearing some distant prattle about 'fire'."
Next thing he knew, fire extinguishers were going off and the place was filled with smoke as another Dell burst into flames. "The battery burned its way straight through the laptop creating the beautiful hole with which is so beautifully depicted in the picture," he says. "The police department showed up. The entire lower floor was allowed to leave early and as we stood there in front of the building we simply couldn’t resist... we jokingly called the engineer a terrorist as he was being asked a few questions by the friendly officer, notes Henrick."

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Posted by: SOT

One or two in like 20 million in not a bad failure rate.

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Posted by: Andy0921

Yeah some of the newer dell laptops are cool like the XPS, but mine has been real shitty lately the fans come on and it all of a sudden run so slow. Also the screen is going sometime it goes crazy and all the colors are outta wack and you have to hit the screen that thing is GHETTO, so thats why I use the desktop now.

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Posted by: CJIS

Best laptops are ThinkPads Period. Every laptop I have owned is a ThinkPad. Very reliable and well built. I've dropped one from 4 feet and it powered right on and worked fine only damage was cosmetic. I use Dell laptops at work and have found most of them to be nothing but a pain in the rear end. Stupid things like the hinges going bad, random mouse movements, batteries dying, HDD drive failures. There is a reason Dell sells cheap, because they build products using cheap parts.

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Posted by: Andy0921

Yeah I had the hinges problem too

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Posted by: Andy0921

NPD, Im looking into a new laptop, any specific model of the thinkpad series that you would recommend?

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Posted by: CJIS

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy0921 NPD, Im looking into a new laptop, any specific model of the thinkpad series that you would recommend?

Tell me what you are planning on using it for and I will see what I can come up with... also what is your budget?

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Posted by: Andy0921

No budget really, just using it for wireless internet, watching dvds, and using pretty much all the microsoft office software. Thats about it. Appreciate the help NPD.

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Posted by: CJIS

ThinkPad T60 Lower End
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&partNumber=2623D6U

ThinkPad R60 Top Higher end
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&partNumber=94614XU

ThinkPad R60 Middle end
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&partNumber=94614NU

Now of course these models are New (really new) I have an R series R40 and I like it. For what it sounds like you want to do I would go with an R or a T series if you choose to go ThinkPad.

For any laptop you buy be it ThinkPad or someone else I suggest you do not buy anything with a Celeron. Also always make sure the Processor is an Intel Pentium M, Centrino, or a Duo (yes you can have Duo without Centrino)

My other suggestion is do not get a laptop with an Intel Graphics card. Always go with the big names like ATI or NVIDIA. (ThinkPads use ATI)

As for RAM 512MB should be fine for what you need.

When looking at any laptop keep in mind how much battery time you wish to have. Check the Manufactures specs for Battery life duration

Hard drive sizes may or may not be an issue for you. It sounds like you will mostly be doing Office stuff so a 60GB should be more than enough for you (60GB is about standard for all laptops)

Try to find a laptop with an a/g/b wireless card (ThinkPad has this)

Standard screen size for almost all laptops is 14.1 (Though my model is a 15.1 but is no longer offered)

Think about weight and size of the laptop when purchasing as well. ThinkPad R and T are fairly decent in size and weight with the R being a bit heavier. ThinkPad X is very light.

You may wish to get an extended warranty. Base the warranty on how log you plan to own the laptop. Most people only hold on to a Computer for about 5 years. You may also wish to purchase “Accident protection” Most IBM/Lenovo products come with a 3 year warranty

That’s about it that I can think of at 0200 hours. If you have any other questions comments etc feel free to ask. BTW you don’t feel committed to by a ThinkPad just because I have had great luck and say they are the best. Feel free to look at other companies and ask for other peoples opinions as well. In the end this purchase is for you.

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Posted by: Andy0921

Thanks a lot for the info bro, I will definattley check out the thinkpad. Im also looking at a nice HP that my sisters boyfriend has recently purchased and he loves it. Again I appreciate your help

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