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Decision: Asus X58LE or the Thinkpad N500-5?

post #1 of 19
6/21/09 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,
have seen a lot of questions similar to the one I am posting and hoping for some sound advice. I am looking at purchasing a laptop and have narrowed my choice down to the Asus X58LE or the Thinkpad N500-5 (simply because I am looking Linux pre-installed on the laptop and these are the two models in my price range that the vendor has with Ubuntu installed :-)

Had a look through many various other laptop comparisons and the Thinkpad seems to shade it each time (but that seems to be for the T-series).

The laptop is going not going to be used for anything too CPU intensive - surfing, some office work and the odd bit of coding (when the mood takes me). The specs of each machine are more than enough for my purposes but I am willing to take on-board expert advice here i.e. you lot!

Anyway, here are the specs - all advice gratefully appreciated!


N500
  • Intel T6400 Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz Processor
  • Intel 5100AGN Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n (draft)
  • 3 Gb RAM (1x2 GB 1x1 Gb)
  • 320 Gb hard drive
  • CD-RW/DVD Recordable (dual layer)
  • 15.41" TFT (1280x800 widescreen) with webcam
  • Intel GMA4500 graphics
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 1x PCI Express Card Slot
  • 4-in-1 multi-media card reader
  • Installed Ubuntu 9.04

Asus X58LE
  • Intel® Dual Core T4200 2.0GHz processor
  • 3Gb RAM (1x2048, 1x1024) (3Gb max)
  • Huge 5400RPM 250Gb SATA hard disk
  • 15.6" 16:1 Golden Aspect Ratio High definition TFT 1366X768 Colour Shine screen
  • Intel X3100 graphics controller
  • DVD RW drive
  • 100Mbit/1 Gbit Realtek Ethernet
  • Wireless
  • Intel Azalia audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • CardBus (PCMCIA) slot
  • External monitor port
  • Card reader (SD, MMC, memory stick)
  • Ubuntu 9.04 64 bit fully installed and ready to run
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post #2 of 19
6/21/09 at 6:04pm
I'd go with the Thinkpad. It's got newer components and a bigger hard drive. You'll take a small hit on screen resolution in comparison, but I think the improved integrated graphics, bigger hard drive, and ExpressCard are enough reasons to tip the scales for the N500.
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post #3 of 19
6/21/09 at 6:18pm
I would get the ThinkPad also. I suspect greater battery life. And as above offers much that is better. Current mobile platform vs last years. On the screen resolution. Such a personal choice. I like 16:10 over 16:9 so for me the ThinkPad wins on that also.
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post #4 of 19
6/21/09 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys for the prompt (and coherent!) advice! Again, much appreciated.
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post #5 of 19
6/22/09 at 3:55am
Thread Starter 

any other thoughts?

Anyone else - possibly a vote for the Asus? :-)
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post #6 of 19
6/22/09 at 3:59am
No I can't vote for the Asus. And I do have an Asus. I like Asus but between the two I pick the Lenovo!
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post #7 of 19
6/22/09 at 4:08am
Thread Starter 


Just trying to see if anyone out there would like to stand-up for the Asus....but looks like Thinkpad it is!
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post #8 of 19
6/22/09 at 5:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
No I can't vote for the Asus. And I do have an Asus. I like Asus but between the two I pick the Lenovo!
+1 here and owning an Asus myself. Go with the Lenovo as Djembe and powerpack suggested.

cheers ...
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post #9 of 19
6/22/09 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stiofain View Post


Just trying to see if anyone out there would like to stand-up for the Asus....but looks like Thinkpad it is!
How ironic - it looks like all 3 of the folks telling you to get the Lenovo own an Asus, since I do too!

Personally, I only take brand into consideration when there is a major difference in general build quality. Lenovo and Asus both make well-built systems, so in your case, the only thing to look at is the specifications. The Lenovo you're looking at has better specs than the Asus you're looking at, so that's all there is to it!
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post #10 of 19
6/25/09 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
How ironic - it looks like all 3 of the folks telling you to get the Lenovo own an Asus, since I do too!

Personally, I only take brand into consideration when there is a major difference in general build quality. Lenovo and Asus both make well-built systems, so in your case, the only thing to look at is the specifications. The Lenovo you're looking at has better specs than the Asus you're looking at, so that's all there is to it!
But what about appearance? Asus usually make more attractive laptops compared to Lenovo
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post #11 of 19
6/26/09 at 2:25am
Ah, that is definitely true. Looks tend to be lower on my priority list, so unless something completely offends my aesthetic preferences (in my case, "gaming" notebooks, such as Dell's XPS series, Asus' G series, and anything made by Alienware), I can forget to mention them
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post #12 of 19
6/26/09 at 3:03am
Djembe I am so sick of agreeing with everything you say? To ent I could recommend much better Asus or other systems. But what is the point? All don't game and IGP is fine for them. Asus does aim for the gaming market. I find the Asus suggested by OP to be old stock. I would never send someone to a bad purchase. Even though I like Asus.
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post #13 of 19
6/26/09 at 3:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
Djembe I am so sick of agreeing with everything you say? To ent I could recommend much better Asus or other systems. But what is the point? All don't game and IGP is fine for them. Asus does aim for the gaming market. I find the Asus suggested by OP to be old stock. I would never send someone to a bad purchase. Even though I like Asus.
I agree
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post #14 of 19
6/26/09 at 4:09am
On the stalking? Or the point? Not that it matters. To OP unless you want to upgrade I do think the Lenovo wins on this.
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post #15 of 19
6/26/09 at 4:12am
on the point. Just thought it would be funny to say I agree considering that you said you were constantly agreeing with me.
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post #16 of 19
6/30/09 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 
Thinkpad purchased. Review added. Job well done lads.
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post #17 of 19
6/30/09 at 10:59am
Cool. Where's the Guinness?

cheers ...
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post #18 of 19
6/30/09 at 11:07am
Thread Starter 

Hmmm.....Guinness

On a hot day like this too...

....now I am wondering why my profile pic is not appearing!
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post #19 of 19
6/30/09 at 11:11am
Thread Starter 
ah - got it.
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