What's so good about IBM Thinkpads? - Page 3

been using my T42 for abt 1.5yrs and i've no need to use the warranty.

I must say that the keyboard is the best around as its the closest that u have to a full keyboard. Not forgetting the amazing Trackpoint. Initially i tot i would never get use to it, now i dunno how i can manage without the Trackpoint. Touchpad just isn't gd enough.

And of cos, the built is solid and sturdy. and the Active Protection System is cool. All my frens were fascinated by it when we were on the coach ride.

The only regret that i have for my T42 is that i din buy the one with the SXGA+ screen resolution. i like bigger desktop space.

However, i'm a bit disappointed after Lenovo bought over IBM's Personal Computing division. And i dun quite like the T60 series after looking at some of the pics i found in some forums. I feel that it has lost the essence of the Thinkpad. But well, i love my T42. And i'm on the look out for a X-series Thinkpad.

Sorry Bookhead but you are wrong!! i had one ASUS B1500 boughted in 2001 (3 years before Ibm) and this notebook already have fingerprint reader!!
i think this notebook was the first one that have Fingerprint reader!!
take a look!!
I would like to see T series with Turion in the future, so than Ibm it will be perfect!!

I have a Thinkpad T43p 2668H2U

I chose a machine of this class, because I wanted an OpenGL card for some apps I run. Mostly CAD/3D rendering related. (There are much better game cards,)--but I wanted a notebook.... And The software I use won't run on a Apple OS Machines (those are sweet)....... That narrowed my choices to

(1) Big Clevo's with nVidia Quadro's
("Portable, with a gas generator,,, but amazingly powerful and full featured"
(2) Dell M70 with nVidia Quadro
(Lots of people like them, and they have the openGL graphic card to beat in notebooks.... In a plastic case that's half the size of he Clevo's.--- with all of the heat... I dunno... I don't care for Dells, to get a graphics card that strong, in a case that size, for that price.... they had to cut corners.... And support is in Banglador
(3) HP nw8240, with Ati FireGL5000
Have heard very good things about this machine, and seen good reviews, with a good card.... but talked to 4 different folks who told me the machines tend to run hot, even to the touch --like the palm rests get noticably warm...

Which brings me to

(4) Thinkpad t43p 2668 H2U with ATI FireGL 3200

The Thinkpad has the weakest graphic card of the four... But it will do the job. What sold me is this is the Laptop that Autodesk gives its employees... and they could have anything they wanted... PLUS Autodesk tweaks their software for nVidia cards.... and they STILL chose this machine with an ATI card...

And all I can think of is Thinkpads must do the job, and they don't break. Because Autodesk can get "cheap" from anyone

The build is astonishing... The thing is a tank, magnesium case with "air-bags" around the hard disk. but slim,,,, Plain almost, certanly minimal.... I like the way it looks... But you better like black.

The screen is everything I could hope for.... Beautiful... AND NOT GLOSSY....I HATE GLOSSY... At this price.... You don't have "dead pixel" worries.

People have raved about the keyboard. Until you type on one, you won't get it.... it's TIGHT

My old Toshiba, I had to set it on something so air could flow around it enough to keep it cool... and that was with a 4500 rpm drive.... this is 7500 rpm drive and a processor that's easily 2.5 times as fast.... and I can run this sitting with it sitting flat on a fleece blanket.... I can actually use it sitting directly on my lap for hours... blows my mind

It's quiet.... fast.... has a hot swap bay.... Bluetooth,,,, great support....

Port selection sucks.... "No firewire" come on guys.... And it's certainly NOT a gamer machine/home media center (likethe built in speakesrs, nothing special), but if you want a notebook computer that is seriously reliable.... Like you are going to use it run a business, or provide a service or product you support your family with, not play games --so you can't afford to have it go down., and then ship it somewhere for a week...

One down side is... You'll probabay want to get an other XP license, because they have this stupid back up system you (may)to get rid of, (it eats about eight gigs of drive space) but Folks at Tech Support (in Atlanta) are cool about supporting XP issues that aren't on an "IBM/Lenevo" factory installed system... XP is XP.

But.... there's a lot of good computers, depends on what you want; need and can afford. If I didn't want/need this specific type card, I'd go for an Asus
Z70va or new Sager, If I wanted a 3D multimedia workstation and didn't care for anything but occasional portability, and was willing to ship it for a hardware problem... A big Clevo would be hip.

And you can serious find deals, Even without being in the IBM Employee Program. I paid 30% less --months ago-- than what I'm still seeing the machine sold for at some dealers.... Just by hanging around eBay --and it was brand new in the box, full 3 year warranty. Perfect.

I'm just the bookhead..hmm i don't know ASUS isn't being given credit for it IBM is tho, for some reason. I will see if I can corrob your info and give you an update. Meanwhile, I like the photo cool Thanks!!
What i want to know is what you think of the t43p:2.13GHz IBM Part #: 2668G1U compared to the z60M 2530 or the z60t ?? Torn i am!

CardTech/SecurTech May '98 in Washington, D.C.

FCDEMO3 was demonstrated at the CTST '98 in Washington, DC. Three working authentication software packages were presented: Cogent Systems, AST and The Phoenix Group, as well as the following demonstrations.
HP OB3000 laptop with integrated FingerChip + logon from Cogent. This was the very first laptop prototype with a built-in fingerprint reader.

Well what I could find was the following..Taiwanese computer maker Acer was the first in the industry to introduce notebook with fingerprint authentication four years ago.
Seems to me what it should have clarified is that
ibm introduced the first thinkpad with integrated fingerprint reader. although with the biometrics & integrated security chip they are now stepping to the fore in the industry.
this site is interesting:
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_History

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/lenovo/about/history.html (it repeats it here).

Hey So7t is this YOU??

All the above plus the Win configuration (ghost file) that IBM provides is the best for the machine's hardware.

I have a T43 as a desktop replacement and for extensive office work and a X40 for "field operations". Both havae original and extended batteries. Both are inegrated on a WiFi LAN.
I am attorney ant since now, I used the following laptops:
-IBM 386;
-IBM486;
-Acer PI233MMX;
-Toshiba Satellite Celeron 700Mhz
-Toshiba Satellite A50-110;
-HP Pavillion Z5000 desktop replacement;
-Thinkpad T43;
-Thinkpad X40.

My partner use a Thinkpad T42.

Positives: They have a very classy look. They inspire somehow a business attitude. Simple and efficient.
Solid. No cheap plastic, titan protection for the TFT/LCD screen.
You have all the features needed for a good portable computer.
Lot of configuration to choose from.
Good tech support.
Battery management is, in my opinion, the best on market.
Very good connectivity! The t43 has the best WiFi LAN adapter I ever saw!
Very good data protection and authentication. I need this due to my work.
Excellent keyboard.

Cons:
The look. The same argument like above. They are no "bells and whistles" laptops. They are black and ugly.
The drivers and the driver management is somehow complicated.
The price...
Very complicated process for driver update.

Hope to find this usefull!

Aitzbergh

Well I'm using my T23 for almost a year now and I'm fully satisfied. Even it was a SH it was a little bit more at the price then other brands. But I guess this is just like with cars: a Mercedes will always cost more then an Audi even if it has the same extras and the engine is weaker. You pay for the brand.

My T42 is 3 years old. It runs cool and quiet. I took it with me on various trips. It never has any problems. Engineering and reliability are why I am happy with the T42. That said, the LCD brightness is poor.

Well my .02, I won';t get anything but a Thinkpad anymore.
I had laptops from all of the big companies, and my thinkpad has been able to take more damage and keep ticking.

Now the build quality on the T60's leaves a bit to be desired, but overall, they are built like tanks, and look about as pretty.

I've always wondered what was so great about them too, that was until i checked out one that a co worker had, they really do have a nice keyboard and the overall build quality is superb.

Yeah but is the brand worth it.
Thinkpads look very nice IMHO, they are thin, light, and good for travelling.
But as far as reliability, I'm not sure. We've had almost a 100% failure rate in our group with thinkpads. They invaariably tend to crap out in year 4 just after the warraty expires. Amd not HDD failures, I'm talking motherboard failures, fan errors, backlight failures. I've had better experience with Dells.
Thinkpad keyboards are defnately better.

I think thinkpads are easier to travel with because of their form factor, but other than that, I'm not sure they are so much better.

However now, lenovo has really slashed prices, so much so that they are now quite competitive with the inspirons (if you add a high resolution screen, warranty etc).

I've been wondering whether to get a used thinkpad, but I'm just scared that it will fail.

Cool site. Of all the IBM laptops I've owned over the years, I've found the 365 to be my favorite.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:365ED

So when you speak of IBM's excellent build quality you are talking about T40's and not T60's? What is wrong with T60's? They don't have comparable quality? Please Explain the differences.

i own a thinkpad t23 it a quick and very stable laptop but i find them on the delicate and flimsy side when it comes to their case but i guess all newer laptops are like that and the screen on them isnt that great not that old and alredy has 4 burnt pixils and a hot spot i might look into a new screen sometime

5th year on my current think pad, still runs like a charm.

Although im not so sure about the new IBM, i.e Lenovo

Since I own two IBM Laptops a T43 and a T60 I will offer you my feedback.  IBM Thinkkpads are known for their rugged build, plain looks and have served the business professionals for years.  They are generally thin, lighweight and have a host of features that appeal to users.  There keyboards are the best for typing, the thumbpads are spacious and do not overheat after hours of use.  In addition the screens are solid in that there is no wobble affect when moving the lid.  The harddrive is protected if the laptop is dropped.  They also have a light in the top to the lid to reflect the keys in a low light situation.  I prefer them over other laptops.  Hope this helps.