I got my first laptop ever when I started undergrad - we were required to have an IBM laptop (it is now the Lenovo company). I was rough on that poor computer but it was still going strong 5+ years later (granted, with many many replaced parts under my 4 year warranty). I am rough on electronics.
When time for vet school came, I initially ordered the Dell tablet that was recommended. I sent it back because the TrackPoint wasn't right - I was too used to IBM. I got the Lenovo Tablet. I love it as much as my old Lenovo. IMPORTANT: I also bought the service plan!
The Lenovo computers are pretty ugly (compared to all those sleek Apples and even the Dell tablet I initially had), but they are tough. I have had several replacement parts on this one in two years (covered under my warranty/damage plan) - but then I don't always take the best care of my electronics. I don't always use the special padded bag, I don't always carry it properly, it's left on for long periods of time, etc. What I'm basically saying is that they should hire me to do crash dummy testing on laptops.
The person who wrote above is right that dealing with the phone help lines can be a bit of a hassle. I've not really had any major problems with them, but like I mentioned above I've been dealing with them for 6+ years so I'm usually pretty confident what the problem is and it gets fixed really quickly.
So, what about the consumer grade ones? Before first year started a lot of my classmates ran out and got "consumer" quality tablet computers. They got the ones that were a good deal at Best Buy at the time - the ones by HP. They were pretty looking laptops - had some swirly designs on the outside. Some got the extended warranty. At the time, the nearest Best Buy was 1 hour from our school. Pretty early into the semester those laptops started dropping like flies. They'd bring them to Best Buy - the Geek Squad had to send them directly to HP. It took 3 weeks to get them back. I think you have to have about 3 repairs before your laptop is declared a lemon and they replace it. I had about one classmate that stuck with it and eventually got her new laptop (another HP, that seems to be doing better). I think the rest finally just junked theirs ($900+) in frustration and got one of those Apple laptops. They just don't have pens and touch screens (well, one guy uses an iPad sometimes but that is different).
The HPs are way cheaper than Lenovo/Dell/Apple. But my classmates were miserable with them. I think one salesman pretty much told them up front that the way the screens are on all tablets they are really fairly fragile in design and don't hold up to the rigors of school (frequent transport, etc.) very well. Isn't that wonderful to hear - it's a shame they're so useful!
Honestly, most people don't even mess with the tablets. Most people in my class have those really slim aluminum Apple laptops now and seem to do just fine with them annotating the Powerpoints.
I just can't do the switch, though. I need Windows and I love my ugly Lenovo. Hey, there's always stickers and skins that you can use for decoration!
So, that's the end of that rather long post. In summary:
The business grade computers are more expensive but worth it in the long run if you have the cash.
Always get the damage warranty (on-site, if possible).
These tablet laptops ARE going to break, but I honestly think that the business grade ones will hold up to the abuses of school better/longer. Don't judge a laptop by its cover.
