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Need help (Toshiba vs IBM)

post #1 of 16
8/4/04 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Hi!

I have to buy a laptop for university and I have to choose between the Toshiba Tecra A2 Centrino 1.5 and the IBM Thinkpad TPR51 Intel Pentium-M 1.6GHz, that are both offered by the computer store at the university.

Since I've never bought a laptop (always had desktop PCs), I'd like some help to make the best choice possible. Is there one laptop better than the other (I am mostly looking for reliability)? Any pros and cons about each brand?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!
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post #2 of 16
8/4/04 at 8:51pm
The IBM thinkpads have a reputation for being the most reliable laptops around. The major con is their expensive price, but I think the T51 series is pretty reasonable. I would go with the T51 if I had to pick between those two.
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post #3 of 16
8/4/04 at 9:51pm
IBM is a great machine... just very expensive if you don't have EPP. R51 is a great computer.
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post #4 of 16
8/5/04 at 7:48pm
Consumer reports doesnt rate IBM very reliable... according to CR

Apple
Toshiba
Sony
IBM
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post #5 of 16
8/5/04 at 7:53pm
What are the prices of the two notebooks you are comparing??
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post #6 of 16
8/6/04 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 
Well, the IBM R51 is 1980$CAN and the Toshiba Tecra A2 is 1900$CAN.

And here are the specs of each machine offered by my university :

IBM Thinkpad R51
Intel Pentium-M 1.6GHz
40Go
512mo (1 free slot)
15" screen
ATI RADEON 7500 32mb
802.11a/b/g wireless
Intel PRO/1000 10/100/1 Gigabit Ethernet
Firewire IEEE 1394
TrackPoint+TouchPad
CD-RW/DVD
3 years warranty
Windows XP Pro

Toshiba Tecra A2
Centrino 1.5
40Go
512Mo (1 free slot)
15" screen
802.11g wireless
Modem 56k V.92
10/100bt
CD-RW/DVD
3 years warranty
Windows XP Pro

By the way, thanks for all the help so far!
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post #7 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:07pm
I say go with the R51. IBM support is top notch and that machine is built like a brick. The IBM is also spec'd higher than the A2 for basically the same price.

I suggest you get the three year accidental protection plan in addition to the three year warrenty; expecially if you are living in a dorm.
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post #8 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:11pm
I have a Toshiba and I'm glad with it (just a little problem with the CDRW/DVD drive when I bought it, but changed in 3-4 days, no big deal).

But, obviously, I recommend IBM. Can't you buy another one?
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post #9 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossetti
Consumer reports doesnt rate IBM very reliable... according to CR

Apple
Toshiba
Sony
IBM
Sorry, everyone can say what they want, but I think IBM will always be reliable... not that there isn't casualties... but I have an uncle who has an IBM 486 DX2 90 Mhz or so in his office and it works without a glitch. Never had a problem... _never_. EDITED: The beyboards still works. He only changed the mouse.
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post #10 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DDDa
Sorry, everyone can say what they want, but I think IBM will always be reliable... not that there isn't casualties... but I have an uncle who has an IBM 486 DX2 90 Mhz or so in his office and it works without a glitch. Never had a problem... _never_.
Well your taking 1 IBM and making it the norm. CR did a study among a larger population. But to each his own.

As far as tech support IBM is far better then Toshiba in this area.
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post #11 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossetti
But to each his own.
Yes. It's really true. If you're glad with a company (whatever it is), you probably will make business again with them and take it for reliable... and what is reliability if not the consumer experience, right? Probably it's what's happening to me. I have only good references from IBM.
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post #12 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:35pm
Quote:
As far as tech support IBM is far better then Toshiba in this area.
From what ive read, Toshiba is usually ranked #2 in this department... So imagine what the other vendors are like...
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post #13 of 16
8/6/04 at 1:51pm
I'm not an expert in this area, so I'm just guessing... But if IBM has a bad tech support, why its bussiness solutions are so famous and used all around the world? I'm just curious, really.
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post #14 of 16
8/6/04 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DDDa
Can't you buy another one?
I could... but the university offers, with the notebooks they sell, a "tech support bundle" (a conformity test, 1 year tech support and some course on the school network) that's worth around 200$CAN, that I would have to pay if I'd buy my notebook somewhere else, a free McAfee anti-virus, an instant 200$CAN rebate (already included in the price) and a splendid wallet kit for my computer (worth 100$CAN).

That's why I tought that it would be a good idea to buy my notebook at university.
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post #15 of 16
8/6/04 at 3:48pm

I've had both

I've had IBM, Toshiba and Sony.

IBM has by far the best tech support, bar none.
I do like the light touch of the toshiba keyboard for quick typing, but if I had to choose, I would recommend the IBM.

Good luck!
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post #16 of 16
8/9/04 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
Well I finally made a move and bought the IBM R51. I hope that I picked the right one, which I think when I read most of your comments.

Thank you very much everyone for your help!
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