ThinkPad R50p or Dell 8600

What prices are the configs you are comparing?

Do u have a strong preferance when comes to mobility, graphics?

I assume the ibm will cost more foe a comaprable config.

8600
- wide screen
- option of internal dvd burner
- no serial or parallel ports

Ibm r50
- I would bet on a ibm any day on surviving a fall over sony, dell etc
- i like the idea of storing a pda in the modular bay.
ibm r50
- better wi-fi capability. ( not to sure about this, friend explained something about their antennas)

If your game alot i feel the 8600 is the machine for you,

If you are like me, a play a game a week its a tough choice especially if you don't have specific features in mind or a price consideration.

For a desktop replacement that you want to be able to carry around with a kick ass wide screen display, i would go for the 8600, I would consider an ibm if i wanted an ultralight, ultracompact, rugged machine.

sorry i'm not really helpful, they are both top brands and im sure either will make a good choice.

How much money can you allocate to this laptop that will also supply your gaming needs?

hmm. i checked the ibm website , didnt see a dvd burner option. Do you have a link?

my mistake, the R50 does have an option for a dvd burner and a larger screen. go for the R50 and if u dont care for the dvd burner the t41p with cd burner/dvd rocks. You can't beat ibm for build quality.



$3,599.00*
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 1.70GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
512 MB
60 GB
15.0"
1600x1200
128MB ATI Mobility FIREGL T2
6.6-7.1 lbs
DVD Recordable
Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless and Bluetooth
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0
Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)

Definetly the T41p its basically everything you need on top of that an awesome 7 hour battery life and other assorted nifty features with the IBM of course price was always the hardship with IBMS but since you say you have a 3k budget this should easily satisfy your needs

With price as no object, I agree that you should go with the IBM. It is essentially as good in specifications as the Inspiron, but has a few extra nifty features and a better build quality than the i8600.
stu

Ahh

I too was in your same position. Ultimately I ended up buying an eMachines M6805. Very good gaming performance, AMD 64 bit computing good for future gaming. I play FarCry alot with a slightly overclocked videocard with no problems. For the price, there is NO other notebook around that could stand a chance. I got mine for 1400 out the door at Best Buy. I highly recommend you check out the eMachines forum here and read the reviews, otherwise you may succomb to the assumption that eMachines are low grade laptops. With the money you save you can upgrade to a 7200RPM harddrive and have yourself a gig of ram and you could even throw a DVD burner in there if that is important to you. But if I had to spend that much money on a notebook pc, and I was deadset that spending the most money will get me the best computer, I would get the IBM T41P. Hope I helped, keep us posted on what you choose.

Edit: Im getting pretty close to 3 hours of battery life on my computer doing regular applications, which is very good for a processor of such capabilities. Keep in mind that also with the money you save you can buy the pretty much necessary accesories (bag, car power kit, usb mice, etc). I thought I needed the superb battery life that a Pentium M offers, but in hindsight I see that Im almost always running off AC power - either in the car, or house/school.

Go for the IBM, i'm not happy with the build quality of my Dell, how many times have you heard build quality issues with IBM owners? And face it, when you pay so much for a lap top, you can only not expect anything less than good quality.