Re: Laptop Suggestion - Thinkpad?

From: Bill Waddington (william.waddington_at_beezmo.com)
Date: 06/04/05 

Date: Sat, 04 Jun 2005 12:00:35 -0700

On 4 Jun 2005 10:37:50 -0700, akastosmed@yahoo.com wrote:

>Hi there,
>
>I will be starting grad school soon. I need to get rid of my linux box
>which is a 333mhz system - I lasted all my undergrad with that.
>Anyway, I figure I get a new laptop.
>
>I'm looking for a laptop that is under 1,500 dollars and is resonably
>thin. Also, I'm looking for wi-fi, 512mb memory, 1.2 ghz.
>
>I will be doing rudimentary programming on this system - so I don't
>need anything that relates to gaming. I've come across the Thinkpad and
>I've really liked the system. Only problem, there are millions of
>thinkpads.
>
>Anyone have any suggestions in regards to which thinkpad or computer I
>should select off their experience?

I have an R40 that is a couple of years old, and a new T43. I like
them both quite well. The R40 is the "value" unit - lots of features,
relatively low price, and fairly heavy. The T43 is lighter, faster,
and lacks a few things - IEEE 1394, bluetooth in my particular unit -
and is more expensive.

A quick look at IBM's current offerings:
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=2035724&storeId=10000001&catalogId=-840&langId=-1
(view all models in each line)
shows that the R series probably comes in just below your price point
and T series just above with the features that you want.

HOWEVER - when I bought the T43, the phone sales person discounted
it $200 below the express price just for asking :) Tell sales that
you are a starving student...

IMNSHO, stick with Centrino and 3 year warranty. Unfortunately, I
have needed IBM service twice, but both times they had FedEx at my
door the next day with a shipping box, and the driver waited while
I packed up the unit. Had it back 48hrs later.

IBM also gives you a 30 day "no fault" return if you don't like the
unit. This is one reason I buy direct from IBM rather than through
someone like NewEgg. No knock on NE, but IBM will take the unit back
w/even one bad pixel ("no fault") but NewEgg won't.

(the above was true when I bought mine, please verify)

Just my $.02 worth,

Bill 

-- 
William D Waddington
william.waddington@beezmo.com
"Even bugs...are unexpected signposts on
the long road of creativity..." - Ken Burtch

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