ACER

Acer is a Taiwanese multi-national company, and the third biggest computer manufacturer in the world.
Acer also own
Texas Instruments,   Gateway Computers,   Packard Bell,   and E-machines

Known Problems With Acer Computers
Acer Computers are generally well-made, stylish and reliable - However...
Acer laptops (and all of their subsidiary brands) sometimes suffer with keyboard and mouse-pad failure.
This manifests itself after approx 1 year - just after the warranty runs out!
The problem is caused by a faulty mother-board and Acer are well aware of it.
If it happens under warranty - they will replace or repair your laptop.
But if the warranty has ended - you are on your own!
The cost of the repair for this problem is often higher than the original cost of the laptop.
This is not a common problem
Computer Brand Awareness & Known Problems.
Save time with our Quick Links
In our experience the following outlets are the best on the Internet for Laptops.
Our Quick Links will take you straight to the Laptop Computer section of each outlet.
Use them to compare prices, delivery costs etc.
At first glance it may seem that there are scores of computer manufacturers to choose from -
but this is an illusion!
You may find it useful to know who REALLY makes your chosen brand -
and if there are any regularly occurring or "known" problems.

ADVENT

Advent is not a manufacturer in its own right.
Advent is a brand name owned by the major retailer DSG - which in the UK means
Dixons, Currys and PC World.

Advent computers are built by several manufacturers and re-badged for DSG.
Generally speaking, Advent computers are well-made and good value for money.
What they tend to lack is "original style" - ie they are a tad on the bland side!
But if you want a computer for computing rather than posing - Advent is a decent choice.

ASUS

Asus (AsusTek) is a Taiwanese multi-national company.
They are one of the world's largest computer component manufacturers.
Asus build some of the most reliable, most powerful and most stylish computers on the market.

Asus Computers and Laptops are Highly Recommended!

COMPAQ

Compaq was founded in the USA in 1982 and for several years they dominated the computer server
market. They were the first company to build "affordable" personal computers. In 2001 Compaq
merged with Hewlett-Packard to form the largest computer manufacturer in the world.
Compaq computers are generally well-made and offer excellent value for money.

DELL

Dell is the second biggest computer manufacturer in the world.
The Dell Computer Company is based in Round Rock Texas - but almost all of their computers are built in Asia.

Known Problems
Dell went through a very bad patch around three years ago - with poor customer service and several legal actions
against them. In 2004/5 Dell had to recall millions of  Laptops because of a serious problem with their batteries.
Some laptop batteries (made by Sony and used by Dell) were overheating and even bursting into flames.
This was not a common problem (only a handful of cases were documented) but the risk was too serious to ignore.

The problem has now been solved - but not all Dell owners responded to the recall -
so there are still some "dodgy" batteries out there - Beware of secondhand Dell Laptops!

Dell have undergone a major "shake-up" in the past two years - and it shows.

Things are going well now - and we hope it continues.
The Top Ten Site operates several Dell computers and we have been very impressed
with the quality of the products and the customer service that we have received.
The Dell XPS 1530 is one of our Top Ten Laptops ever.

FUJITSU-SIEMENS

Fujitsu-Siemens is a Japanese/German association formed in 1999.
Most of their production is in Japan and Germany - and is of a very high quality.
Fujitsu-Siemens make computers across the price range - from budget to very high-end.
The company has won many awards for build-quality and reliability -
and for their "green computer" policies.

Fujitsu-Siemens have an enviable reputation for quality and reliability.