IBM ThinkPad Laptop... Does Anyone Have One?

[KittyWampus]

Need to get new laptop and have it narrowed down to a Toshiba, ibook :) or an IBM ThinkPad .


Does anyone here have a ThinkPad?

They are really expensive... but get excellent reviews online.

Thanks, Robin :)

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. I have an old one (350 MHz)

that I am using as we speak. It has served me well but I plan on replacing it with an HP Pavilion within the next month. The only complaint I have is nonexistent battery life right from the beginning but they may have fixed that by now.

[Tempest]

2. Thinkpads are great laptops

I supported them for a few years and never had a problem. IBM's support is top notch also.


Toshibas are also a good laptop, but their support is less than stellar. I also supported Toshibas and getting support can be a real pain.

[swag]

3. I have a Thinkpad R40 which I've had for almost a year

I haven't had any hardware-related problems, and IBM's support has been great in alerting me to new drivers, etc.

The R40 has a plastic case, which you may find a bit disconcerting if you're used to metal cases from Dell, Sony, or others, but different Thinkpad models have different cases. Since I don't get shitfaced any more, the threat of dropping the Thinkpad is less of an issue.

The computer is light, mobile, and has built-in Centrino that connects well to my home wireless network from most anywhere in the house.

I can recommend the IBM Thinkpad. I got it for under $1500 at CDW, so that wasn't too bad. I'm an 11-year IT professional, but not a tech gearhead - I just want my computer to do its job, not to be my home-entertainment center on wheels. It works well.

Beest wishes in your computer search.

[salib]

4. Had them for years

They have been great in the upper end, but the cheap ones are cheap. Still, if you have the choice, I would go with the iBook.

[Madrone]

5. about Toshibas -

I've always heard wonderful things about Toshiba laptops. A few years ago I helped one of our customers that had a Toshiba Satellite P series computer --- DROOL! Fell in love, AND, just bit the bullet and ordered mine from Tiger Direct last night!



The Basics:
An awesome roster of portable computers designed for those who won't accept anything less than the finest mobile performance, Toshiba's P25 series of Satellite notebooks will handle virtually any duty you might normally reserve for high-end desktop PCs. As powerful 'desktop replacement' notebooks, they are somewhat bulkier and less battery efficient than today's new breed of ultra-lightweight notebooks. However, true power users will find the extra size a small price to pay for amenities such as high-end Pentium 4 processing, solid 3D graphic capabilities and massive 17-inch widescreen displays. This model, the Satellite P25-S526 Notebook PC, features all of the above plus DVD recording and a spacious 80 GB hard disk.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Satellite P25-S526 lies firmly in the latter category, equipped with a blazing 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel technology, allows a single CPU system (which most are) to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end tasks. Running at 3.2 GHz, this particular processor would be one of the fastest in any notebook, but it is nothing less than spectacular with its Hyper-Threading support.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Satellite P25-S526 incorporates 512 MB of RAM, more than enough for most situations. Ultra-demanding users may want to expand their RAM, and with the Satellite P25-S526 they can, to a boggling maximum of 2048 MB.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). This system's graphics controller is an nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM. While a graphics card with 128 MB or more of video RAM is considered ideal for a completely smooth frame rate in state-of-the-art 3D games and 3D animation apps, this card is nevertheless comparatively powerful and more than enough for all but the most demanding gamers and 3D artisans.

Display:
You'll love the way your DVD movies and 3D games look on the system's roomy 17-inch TFT WXGA display. Substantially larger than most notebook viewing screens, this display is especially notable for its widescreen format, the same panoramic configuration favored by movie-makers and some high-end game producers. And with a maximum resolution of 1440 by 900, you can expect super-sharp images no matter what application you're using.

Hard Disk:
The Satellite P25-S526 features a massive 80 GB of hard disk space. This amount of data storage is a welcome perk indeed for those who want to operate a broad range of applications and also keep a large library of space-gobbling music and/or multimedia files.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A 'CD-ROM' drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A 'CD-RW' drive adds CD 'burning', so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can 'write' home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a DVD-Super-Multi drive that supports all of the above in each of today's most common CD and DVD formats.

Audio:
The system features an integrated audio processor that mimics the spatial awareness of surround sound, and two harman-kardon speakers for powerful mobile stereo output.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 85-key keyboard with 12 function keys, dedicated Windows keys support, and a TouchPad pointing device with scroll. CD controls include Play/Pause, Stop/Eject, Previous, and Skip/Next.

Connectivity and Expansion:
The Satellite P25-S526 offers a wide variety of ways to keep in touch, including a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, an RJ-45 Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, and integrated wireless LAN for cordless e-communication at home, at the office or on the road via a local public hotspot. Other key amenities include four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play devices such as external drives and digital cameras, an infrared port for interacting with wireless peripherals, an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), and a digital (S-Video) TV-out port.

Operating System and Software:
Toshiba has fitted the system with today's most widely accepted operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as 'desktop replacements'. On the other extreme are 'thin and lights' or 'ultra-portables', super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. The Satellite P25-S526 is definitely larger than average, yet more compact than many other 'desktop replacements' at 16.4 by 11.5 by 1.8 inches and 9.9 lbs.

Power:
The system is equipped with a 12-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that delivers 1.5 hours between charges. This is not particularly efficient when compared with less capable ultra-portables using Intel's Centrino technology and Pentium M processor, but is in keeping with standard desktop replacement battery longevity.






I got one w/ 128MB of video ram - swwwwwwwwing! I haven't gotten it yet, but no matter. I'm in love. I'm in LOVE! :D

The downside to mine is it's big, heavy (9.9lbs), sucks batteries and can run warm. I LOVE that it's big, weight means nothing to me, I'm going to order an extra battery - and many notebooks run warm. I should be receiving mine by Wed!

[CanuckAmok]

6. I've had both...

I have had a couple of IBMs and three Toshibas. My first laptop was a Toshiba with a 200meg(!!) hard drive.

I prefer toshibas, overall, and here's why:

I don't like the feel of the IBM keyboards.
Toshiba's extended warranty includes 24 hour turnaround.
I've had less hardware trouble with my Toshibas overall than with my IBMs. In fact, I now have an Acer as my primary laptop (don't buy an acer, I can say that with certainty), and I still have my old Toshiba 430CDT as a backup word processor if the Acer breaks down. The 430 has been through the wringer for about 6 years, and it still works like a charm. I'd still be using it as my primary if it wasn't so old (can't use broadband or USB, or view video on it).
And, this is a minor thing, but I think IBM laptops are butt-ugly.

Do some model-year research, though, as each manufacturer has good years and bad years. I know Toshiba had a problem with cracking boards in their 2002 model line, and someone I know bought one of those units--nothing but trouble.

[KittyWampus]

7. Dad Got The Toshiba...It's Looking Good!

thanks to everyone who gave advice.

The IBM ThinkPad was more than we needed.

Though the support service sounded like it would've been worththe extra money.

[Placebo]

8. GET A POWERBOOK.

Do you have any idea how fantastic and beautiful a laptop you can get for the price of a ThinkPad?

www.apple.com/powerbook/

The PowerBook will look better, it will run better, and be more reliable. And remember, no matter what PC laptop you get it's still running SECURITY HOLE RIDDLED XP.

Get a mac, NEVER worry about a virus, NEVER have your computer crash or freeze up on you and have the best looking machine around.

[DS1]

10. Never worry about a virus

Never have a computer that crashes?

I've seen both happen on Macs, even the new ones.

[Placebo]

11. I haven't had it happen since OS X arrived

I've owned 5 Mac's since OS X arrived and NO CRASHING, NEVER A VIRUS.

[DS1]

12. I've had OS X crash on me 4 or 5 times

which is more than the number of times XP has crashed on me in the same time period.

[Placebo]

13. Well you're in the extreme extreme minority.

None of my friends have ever had it happen to them.

[DS1]

9. Wow, tough choice

I've seen Thinkpads as pretty much bulletproof, I've never used a Toshiba laptop but I've heard very very good things about that.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

14. Thinkpads are reliable

I had several over the years-they are the business laptop of choice for most companies. However, if you travel a lot, they tend to be heavier/bulkier than Toshibas or Dells.