good laptop brand for servicing

[netbone]

For over 10 years, I have been using almost only laptops from the ThinkPad line. What I liked especially about them is their robustness, the flexibility with respect to moving components between similar models, and the ease of hunting for replacement components through their FRU numbers. So, it was rather easy to systematically make sure that maintenance costs are bounded.

Now I have been told that with their newer models, the possibility of moving components between different laptops has become worse, so I wonder if it still makes sense to head for ThinkPad when buying something new. But I must admit that I have become pretty used to working with these.

So can anyone recommend something comparable?

 

[Tom Tancredi]

The common business model is to make laptops that meet the 'demands' outlined in the proposal of the machine, and one of those is not for the sort of servicing you seem uniquely used to. Commonly when laptop parts depreciate in performance you need to buy a new laptop, not simply "moving components between similar models". This is especially impacted with the common move to simulate the Cell/Smart Phone market, where consumers replace models 'every couple of years' and pushed the prices down to match (Walmart laptop off the shelf $249 i3 8GB DDR3 600GB HDD W8 DVD) making the component costs normally more 'expensive' then to simply replace a machine outright (same for Cell phones, try buying a new keyboard / screen / etc. for one is more expensive then buying a new phone).

Honestly no one is making DIY laptops anymore, they came and went. Some forums do exists of people whom 'hack' a specific maker's lines of products as you did, but they are unique people with the skills and insight to do those and doesn't mean that it continues (as you are mentioning) as time goes on. Even Alienware isn't as "modular" as they once were famed for, especially in the laptop designs.