I'm trying to choose between these two notebooks. It will be used by my 19 yo daughter for word processing and internet surfing with some music downloads and short video viewing. I'm leaning toward the Lenovo. The HP has some extras but I think the Lenovo is probably better built overall. I've owned a Gateway (never again), and 2 IBM T series which have served me well. I know nothing about Lenovo.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

From lenovo.com
ThinkPad T Series T60 Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty (2613CTO) $1,213.00
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Professional
15.0 XGA TFT
ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 64MB w/o WWAN
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
60GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty

From BestBuy.com
Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Notebook with Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology - Piano Black Model: dv6135nr $1179.99
Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited
Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited
Processor Brand Intel® Core(TM)2 Duo Mobile
Processor Speed 1.66GHz
Display Type WXGA widescreen with BrightView technology (1280 x 800)
Screen Size 15.4"
System Bus 667MHz
Cache Memory 2MB on die Level 2
System Memory (RAM) 2GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To Nonexpandable
Type of Memory (RAM) DDR2
Hard Drive Type SATA (5400 rpm)
Hard Drive Size 120GB
Optical Drive Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Speeds Drive speeds not available
LightScribe Compatibility Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Diskette Drive No
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with up to 128MB shared video memory; S-video TV-out
MPEG Yes
Modem 56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
Networking Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
Wireless Networking Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection (802.11a/b/g)
S-Video Outputs 1
Additional Audio/Video Connectors SPDIF digital audio out
Audio Altec Lansing
PCMCIA Slots 1 ExpressCard/54
USB 2.0 Ports 3
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1
Parallel Ports None
Serial Ports None
Game Ports None
Notebook Weight Standard (more than 6 lbs.)
Battery Type Lithium-ion
Pointing Device Touchpad with on/off and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad
Operating System Windows XP Media Center
Included Software Microsoft Works, Money, Windows Media Player; Adobe Acrobat Reader; Sonic DigitalMedia Plus; HP QuickPlay, Photosmart Premier; muvee autoProducer DVD Edition with Burning and more
Included Accessories HP mobile remote and ear bud headphones

Why are you buying such an expensive laptop if all she wants to do is type and surf the net? You could probably get a nice HP for about 700 - 800 that does this?

Core 2 duo is primarily used by people who run many, many apps at once or use their laptop for gaming . . .If she doesn't do either of these things, than its just excessive.

If you really want to spend that much money, go for the HP that you described. The build quality is great and it will suit her well. It's got a DVD burner, which she'll eventually want. It's also got way more ram and a hard drive that's 2x bigger. It doesn't have the best video card, but if she's not a gamer, it doesn't matter at all. It'll play dvds just fine.

I love my compaq, which is made by HP.

I would definately go for the HP if I were you.

also make sure to buy it with a credit card that gives 1 year additional warrenty on purchases (ex. capital one)

if you don't have one of these credit cards, get one or ask around. Many people have them. Just get them to buy the laptop and pay them back with cash or check. An extra year warranty for laptops (purchased from a retailer) is very expensive

Jason,
Thanks for the advice regarding the laptop and the credit card. I'll check some other HPs before deciding. Glad to hear to think so highly of HP. I know I can get that one before Christmas!

I'd go for the Lenovo, as Thinkpads tend to last quite a while, even after a few bumps.

LWS,

It seems that according to your daughter's usage, the most that can be justified is a laptop with Core Duo or Turion 64 X2; Core2 Duo would simply be a gross waste that can be used in other areas that would benefit her a lot more, such as a large external HDD to store large media files, and as a source for backup important files.

That being said, the particular Thinkpad you have there is more than OK in most respects (again, gross overkill on the CPU), except the screen resolution of 15" diagonal at XGA resolution will lead to a very small DPI in display and low resolution, you may want to think about getting a higher res screen. You would be much better off for the future to go with an SXGA+ at configuration. Thinkpads are usually of very high quality, and arguably more reliable than any other line of laptop systems. I have used them for a long time, and have never had any major issue with them.

The HP is OK, but if you decide to go with them, you would be much better off going with one of their business lines of notebooks (instead of consumer lines). Their business lines are solid, and close to quality of thinkpads, and yet priced very reasonably; such as these here:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...3-1849082.html
About $1200 would be able to get you one with all of the bells and whistles that you would need.

no competition here. lenovo ofcourse.

yet another vote to lenovo simply based on quality of the Thinkpad line. i am actually typing this message on a 5/6 (?) year old T23 which has never given me any issues (unlike the uniwill in my sig...cd drive, mobo, and screen were all replaced...ugh!) also from my experience with teh HP/Compaq tech support, it is absolutely horrible...hours on hold / given the royal run-around w/o ever getting your questions answered. maybe their business line is better....idk. also...have you considered a Dell 1505?

Lenovo. My R50e is a year old and I've never had a problem with it. My sister's former HP, well that's another story . She now has a Sony.