I'm a bit of a Toshiba fan myself. The company knows how to make good, dependable laptops, and I've had several of them.

Don't be deterred, just because you happen to have had a machine with a problem - it's unlikely to happen twice. I would go for a replacement.

"also feel that the store shud compansate me in some way as they cant explain why 2 new laptops are cover in prints and look like the screen had been wiped with a damp rag"

You can tell immediately if a laptop box has been opened because the manufacturer's seal will be broken. I can't tell you whether or not you have been given a used or display machine, but there's no reason why the store should compensate you, so forget about that, and concentrate on getting a brand new computer. Which store are we talking about, by the way?

The "fingerprint" issue is probably down to a packer, at the factory, having an "off day", which shouldn't happen, but does.

I would be more concerned with the "faults". If you've had two, with the same fault, that really does point to a "batch issue". That doesn't have to be in manufacture. It could be poor handling, or storage, of a particular shipment.

No manufacturer has 100% reliability (I would have said Toshiba was one of the better ones). What's important is how, if you are unlucky enough to have a problem, that issue is dealt with. It does, at least, sound as if your supplier has been helpful.

No one can give you "guaranteed" advice. At the end of the day, you've just got to "go with your gut".