Just returned two Thinkpads. Help, please!!

Well, nobody here can say that I haven't ordered a notebook.

I did.

However:

I just returned two Thinkpads under the 30 day money-back policy.
1.) Model 2378FVU, 14.1" SXGA+
Problems were:
- EXTREMELY limited viewing angles, horizontal and vertical (I only cared about the vertical). There was a very, very tiny sweet spot. If you moved the screen a fraction of an inch, the total shading and coloring changed for the entire screen. No exaggeration at all.
- Backlight leakage, plus the bottom of the screen (about 1") was more illuminated than the rest of the screen.
- One dead pixel
- Flimsy top cover. I had read that the Thinkpads have a super-strong cover, but if you run your fingers across the top cover with the machine on, you can see the LCD "ripple".
- I got the "bad" keyboard (Chinese) and the "bad" battery (Sanyo). I do realize that IBM would have remedied these, but I was ready to send it back anyhow because of the other issues.

2.) Model 2379DXU, 15" SXGA+ with Flexview screen
This notebook was overall much more solid than the notebook #1 above, but I did not like the screen overall. It did not have ghosting in DVD playback that I saw (I don't game much) but the screen was overall unappealing. It looked "washed out" as far as the colors. The blacks and whites were not very black and white. I was not very impressed with my first look at Flexview.
- Also, I got the "bad" (Chinese) keyboard and the "bad" (Sanyo) battery.

What the heck do I get now. I thought that the Thinkpads were the "creme de la creme" but they seemed overall quite average. Maybe it was just the models I ordered, maybe it was just "luck of the draw" and most people's are better. I don't know???
Especially with the lack of cover rigidity on the 2378FVU, I would have NEVER guessed that would be possible on a Thinkpad, from everything I read (and I have read A LOT!!)

Also, I am quite sure that XGA or WXGA is all that I need in a small, light machine. Yes, Magic Robin and all, you were all correct. I can "make do" with SXGA+ on a 15" but there is no need to try.

On the larger end, I can get an HP nc6000 with XGA, or a Compaq x1000/HP zt3000/HP nx7010 with WXGA.

I would try another Thinkpad, but all they offer in XGA has only a 7500 card. I would be interested in an X31, but I can't do a system that ONLY has Glidepoint and no touchpad.

In the smaller varieties, there is the SONY 12" V505 series. Not worth it???

I do not want a notebook with the shiny, reflective screen like the XBrite or Crystal View.

I would like the highest possible build quality, and good warranty that accidental damage protection can be added to. I don't know anyone other than IBM or HP that offer this at a reasonable price???

I could go for the 6.5 pound Compaq/HP widescreen, but it is really heavier than I want.

I could get an ACER 2025, but are accidental damage warranties truly available from ACER. I read their warranty, and it was quite vague, at best. Also, anyone you can buy an ACER from that guarantees no dead pixels???

PLEASE OFFER SUGGESTIONS:
I had it down to one of the above Thinkpads, and now that I didn't like either of them, I have no ideas.
XGA or WXGA only please.
6.5 pounds, but preferrably much ligher.
Trackpad, internal CD-RW, and no weird, tiny keys on keyboard.
Absolutely top quality only, with accidental damage protection available reasonably (not $600 for 3 years like hypersonic).

Or, just tell me what the hell to buy. I am not likely to return the next one unless it is dead out of the box. Too tired of the whole damned thing. Disallusioned with the whole IBM experience. Shouldn't they have been better???

Thanks,

Andrew
Austin, TX

Thanks, Tommi.
The nc6000 and nx7010 (and its 2 HP/Compaq lookalikes) are the primary ones I am toying between. I have seen the Compaq x1000 version. This is the model that has the "ATI 9200" that is really an ATI 9000, and comes with about 4 different screens, 2 of which are good (a Samsung and one other I think, a Hitachi and another are not, IIRC), so, according to the folks on the x1000forums.com forum, the nx7010 (and its twins) are kind of a crapshoot, since you don't know which screen you will get until you receive it and run the Knoppix boot disc. With the nc6000, you pretty much know what you are getting, but I have never seen one (I have seen the nw8000, KINDA big looking, IMHO).

Damn, I wish there was something small (14" Thinkpad size or smaller) with:
1.) A great screen, that was NOT a reflective one like the XBrite or Crystal View.
2.) Internal CD burner
3.) Good keyboard, not a bunch of multi-function keys, or reduced-size keys.
4.) XGA, or WXGA
5.) Great build quality, great warranty with accidental damage coverage available reasonably (IBM, Dell, HP are the only ones I know that offer it reasonably).

Wow, this is like my very own "what should I buy" thread!!!
I never had one of these before!!! (more like 20 of them)!!!

I think I am about to get myself, and everyone else here sick.
There is hope, I DO know what I want, just haven't found it yet.

Andrew
Austin, TX

OK, my take on these options:
1.) Fujitsu 7010D. Pretty much what I have heard on it also. You have to hold the Function key down for page up and page down, etc. Not a great keyboard, and has gotten some really poor professional reviews. The Fujitsu's with the shiny screens get much better reviews. Would be a pretty "iffy" choice I think, although I LOVE the size, form factor and weight.
2.) ACER, not sure about ANY ACER. People seem to love them or hate them. Heard same as you about support. Also, I read their "total care" warranty, and it seems to exclude stuff that should be covered. Not sure.
3.) You said Proportable, but DON'T YOU MEAN PORTABLE ONE??? (laptopsinc.com)????
If so, aren't their "new designs" actually ASUS models???? Or am I missing something??? Actually I called Portable One about these models, and they told me that they were "ASUS casings" with their own design inside, or something like that.
4.) Vaio S series, do they have XBrite screen, if so, I don't want one. Yes, I know they are a lovely looking screen, but reflective won't work with my eyes, around fluorescent lighting, where I am likely to be.
Any others???
Again, XGA, lightweight and TOP QUALITY.
I am not sure that Fujitsu, ACER, and ASUS fall into this category??

Andrew
Austin, TX

You are undoubtedly right about the V505, I will undoubtedly pass on getting one of those.

I am sure that most people can get used to anything after awhile, car, notebook, whatever.
The glare has bothered me and my eyes everytime I have seen a notebook with an IPS screen (other than the IBM Flexview, which was not impressive at all, or I got a bad one, no idea, and don't care). I don't like seeing my reflection in the screen (I am frightening enough to others, don't want to scare myself!!) What is CASV?? I assume that is an IPS of some sort??

Andrew
Austin, TX