IBM or Compal? Better quality?

IBM is far more superiour in build quality then compal, they are not comparable.

If you have the budget then go with IBM.

What make you campare IBM to Compal?
As Phantom said IBM is much more superiour than Compal.
The only reason why someone buy Compal CL56 after they got an IBM before, caz
1. They don't have enough money to buy IBM.
2. IBM didn't have the spec that they want at the price Compal have.

Solid lappy would be best if you choose IBM but don't expect it to have the spec you want at the price you want.

maybe u guys haven't ever seen a cl56 in person, apparently, it is a very nice machine. it is comparable imo:

the compal build quality is excellent, i would easily compare it to many of the ibm thinkpad designs. both are similar in their implemenation. ibm T series is a head above still, but i like my cl56 in comparison to an A/R/G. plus my cl56 has a 2-year warranty and i can choose to extend it to 4 years at any time, it's not ibm's awesome warranty people but hell if they fix it when it breaks, its the same to me =)

externally (chassis-wise) both have boxy-style designs, meaning symmetric corners and flat lines. if you're putting your computer into a case that rests under pressure (for example, a laptop backpack where books rest on top of the screen), weight will be more evenly distributed across the screen / chassis and you will have less potential for imparting a large amount of stress on a small area.

the keyboard is very solid on the cl56, i like it as much or better than, for example, the ibm a-series kb i used for a long time. response and rattle is very good. key travel is not very long, but touch-typists will like that and it gives the impression that the keys will wear well after a few years.

internally, the cl56 has an aluminum cage protecting the innards from stress, plus acting as a general heatsink. physically speaking, this results in NO give / creaking when you press down very hard on the palmrests of the cl56. it feels like a rock. much like the ibm thinkpad; both builds give you a very solid impression from hands-on experience.

ibms also run very quiet / cool, something that has been their trademark for years. surprisingly (for such a powerful machine) the cl56 also runs exceptionally quiet and cool, it's really one of the quietest notebooks i've ever owned.

reliability over a long period of time hasn't been tested on a cl56 yet, unfortunately, while many of the ibm designs have proven their mettle in the long run. sure ibm is a great system, but the compal is real nice too. me personally, however, i would rather put the extra $1000 in the bank for what i'm getting.

I sell them, maybe I do it with my eyes closed then

Cl56 is nice but PLEASE don't compare the build quality with IBM.

(and I don't like IBM in general but the build quality is the only good point they get from me)

As much as I agree that the CL56 is a nice machine, it is far outclassed by comparable IBM systems (build quality wise)

CL56 = Chevy
IBM = Aston Martin

or

CL56 = Republic P47
IBM = Focke-Wulf 190

[ok... the last one's kinda iffy ]

I never seen a CL56 in person but if the build quality is anything like my uniwill i think this would be fair:
IBM=Cadillac (boring look, overpriced, less spec for $)
Uniwill=Scion (cheap, cool looking, lots of bang for the $, cheaper plastic, better guts)

Ashton martin?

hmm, okay? u didn't explain why you feel the build quality is so much better, or refute the points i made above. im sitting an ibm A series (gf's laptop) down right next to my cl56 right now. the ibm is... really black?

ok so maybe i'm biased? but she's also sitting here saying things like "um your keyboard feels sturdier than mine"

they're both awfully solid laptops, i don't buy into the compal = chevy and ibm = aston martin idea, sorry. more like compal = civic vs. ibm = accord, without different engines. even though what you'd pay is civic vs. BMW m3. =P

You're comparing the A series. It's the entry level cheapie line from IBm.

These comparisons on different brands are meaningless unless the OP decides to pick which model. If we're talking the T series by IBM...no contest. Yes I've played with both and I still own an old T20. There's really no debate in this regared. The titanium shell and almost all alloy build of the T is probably only outbuilt by the series that were made to be tossed around (the Twinhead, the toughbooks, etc). No offense, but with the IBM's support and 3 year worldwide warranty...the ownership expereicne of an IBM is a lot closer to the M3 than an Accord.

T series yeah those things are

A/R/G series dunno though. OP will have to specify the model, ure right there.

my other point was that support / worldwide warranty does not equal build quality, imo.

just talking hardware here, if it breaks on you and you have to call up IBM's stellar support, i'd still call that "poor build quality" no?

I find this to be a contradicting statement. If the keyboard is so solid then why would it wear after a few years?

What exactly is a 'touch-typist'?

I'm under the impression IBMs have outstanding build quality, but getting the specs you would want in a reasonably-priced machine is bloody difficult.

The above quote is referring to the build quality for the CL56's keyboard. Not sure if you knew that 37. This is an old thread that I resurrected specifically for the above contradicting statement.

Cheers

My T42 is way solid than my old dell 8200

Oh... oops, my post wasn't directed at you. It was directed at the OP.

Cool, no worries...

Can someone define the term 'touch typist'? Can't understand it.. I mean, is someone pounding away on a board classified as a 'hard typist' where as someone who barely touches the board is a 'touch typist'?

Thanks

A touch typist is simply a fast typist who types propery (ie doesnt have to look at keyboard, they can type by touch). A good touch typist will average over 60WPM.

I type by touch but I never learned hte home row. I find where my hands are much better for speed and accuracy than homerow stuff.I mean sure it might save a little movement to be in homerow but I'd rather do it logically with relaiton to the dsitance between keys etc. Now I get in trouble with non standard keyboards wher ethe keys are a lot smaller or bigger

i dont do proper touch-typing though i never look at the keyboard when typing. i figured my way is more comfortable for me than the "proper way" so i say screw it, i do it my own way. i dont know what me speed is, never got tested, and dont care to be tested really, though i have to, it is a requirement in my school to graduate.