<p>There could be a design problem with the AC adapter, but these things always seem to be what goes first. We have four Dell laptops in my household, and we must go through 1 power supply per quarter. They get kicked, pulled, and the cord wrapped around them when we pack them in our bags and travel. Always in harm’s way I guess.</p>
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<p>I guess compared to a new computer, they’re “fairly inexpensive” but WOW. I had to purchase one for my old computer a couple of years ago. The cheapest one I could find at the store was $65 and that was after the salesman gave me a steep discount because it had been opened. I think the retail was around $110! I was able to also buy one off ebay for like $20, but sometimes you have to have the item right now and can’t wait…</p>
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<p>I let mine drain 2-3 times per week it seems like. I’ll unplug it sometimes at night and listen to music when I go to bed. It will go 3-4 hours and then shut down due to battery life. I have had good luck with the battery life on both of my laptops.</p>
<p>I had an issue with my first Dell laptop that sounds similar to the OP. It started shorting out and would turn off. The computer would also overheat. It got to the point after about 2.5 years that it overheated and smoke came out of it. I had an extended warranty and they replaced it…</p>
<p>you do need to reset electronic batteries.</p>
<p>[Troubleshooting</a> Notebook Battery and AC Adapter Issues](<a href=“http://ftp1.us.dell.com/diags/R66243.htm]Troubleshooting”>http://ftp1.us.dell.com/diags/R66243.htm)</p>
<p>You can also [lease</a> Macs through Smalldog](<a href=“http://www.smalldog.com/finance]lease”>http://www.smalldog.com/finance) - true story- even * my brother * who is an electrical engineer, & who has made fun of my Apple loyalty over the years, has become fed up with the manufacturing foibles of PC’s and bought a Macbook Pro after just buying a top of the line Dell less than two years ago.</p>
<p>Thanks all.</p>
<p>I’ve heard some nasty things about Gateways after asking around today so I’m thinking about Toshiba at this point. They do seem the most reliable without going way over my budget.</p>
<p>Another with HP issues here. I bought it since the reviews on the one I wanted were OK. 4 months later hard drive crash and working with tech support has been a nightmare. I finally escalated to a level 3 case manager. We’ll see if that works. I don’t recommend them. I did have Dell’s before without issues. As a matter of fact, I fired up the old Dell and put it back in service while HP futzes around with my new one.</p>
<p>Dell Inspiron 620#1 battery was not on bad list, however it sparked and smoked and went out with a bank within a month.</p>
<p>Dell #2 (the insured replacement) lasted for almost four years before it went out with a similar bang!</p>
<p>New laptop is a $300 HP Netbook. It’s lightweight, really small, and is an easy grab and go. At $300 you can’t go wrong!</p>
<p>I would not take a gateway if someone paid me…literally. The absolute best luck we’ve had with laptops are Sony Vaio’s. I do have a mac that works fine, but I’d never pay the premium for apple again.</p>
<p>HGFM…I’ve had my Lenovo for a few years now, I love it. It doesn’t “look cool” but it really has been dependable. At work, all the Laptops are IBM/Lenovo…and we have good luck wit those as well. Especially if your dad gets a discount on those, I’d recommend that you seriously consider it!</p>
<p>I’m looking at Toshiba for now…I’m pretty sure that even with a discount Lenovo would be too pricey for me…and yes, I do care about the cosmetics, sadly.</p>
<p>Read the thread about another Toshiba complaining about service.</p>
<p>I have a low end Toshiba. It is not yet 4 years old. It’s been out of commission for as long as 6 months at a time and I have had 6 AC adapters. </p>
<p>I’m not a fan. </p>
<p>I am on my second battery too. </p>
<p>When I bought it in summer of 2007, I got it and a printer for about $600. When the AC adapter went, it would have been $110 for a new one if I bought a Toshiba–and it’s not the original one. That’s no longer made.</p>
<p>Next time I am in the market for a computer, I’m going to check out the cost of replacement adapters and batteries before I decide which to buy.</p>
<p>I didn’t have good luck with a Toshiba either. The first thing to go was the AC adapter. I read about a lot of problems with the adapters. The was several years ago so I would hope they could figure it out by now. I have had two PC laptops in the time that my D has had her Mac.</p>
<p>My parents surprised me today and said that because my laptop seems to be on its last legs, they will buy me a new one and I can pay them back when I get my summer job pay :)</p>
<p>Just wanted to update you all…[url=<a href=“http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=509550]this[/url”>http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=509550]this[/url</a>] is the one I went with. Dad got a pretty good discount through IBM and got free 2-day shipping (could take up to 8 days to build) and with taxes it ended up right around $650 (I’ll have about $200 of pay left!).</p>
<p>Thank you all for the help and advice!</p>