Sturdy upgrade to the T60?

[Markstar]

Hi,
I have built around 20 T60/T61 for me and family/friends, but I feel the time has finally come to go for a more recent model when buying a new machine. However, I read a lot about how the quality of the newer Thinkpads has suffered significantly, so the question is: What is a good choice that follows in the T60's footsteps?

My main requirements are:

1. sturdy case that is comparable to the T60 (e.g. it can take a little
   hit)
2. good matte screens (high resolution like in the T60/T61/T500)
3. easy maintenance/ability to get replacement parts (like drive-bays, screens, etc.)
4. price! I'm not looking for a current high-end model but something that I can get for a good price on ebay, etc. and then pimp myself if needed (SSD, ...).

Is Lenovo still the way to go or do I have to look elsewhere?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Hans Gruber]

T410/T420 T410s/T420s. Those have the i5/i7 processors. The T400 still uses Core2 technology. T430 and newer went away from the standard 7 row keyboard to the chicklet style.

[axur-delmeria]

How about the T520? It's the same generation as the T420, and there's a Full HD screen option.

[Markstar]

Are the chassis still good for these models? Or am I wrong in remembering that the cases are cheap plastic nowadays?

[ajkula66]

Are the chassis still good for these models?

You'll get opposing opinions on this one.

Are the current ThinkPads still solidly built? In my book, the answer is closer to "yes" than it is to "no".

None of them, however, feels as strong or as expensive in one's hands the way T61/p did. One possible exception would be X1C.

Or am I wrong in remembering that the cases are cheap plastic nowadays?

Well, it also depends on how far back do you want to look. As for the *20 series - the last one with the "classic" keyboard - the quality of palmrest and bezels leaves a lot to be desired IMO. The inner structure itself is actually quite good, and the machines will take a reasonable amount of abuse before suffering major consequences.

My $0.02 only...

[brchan]

Starting with the T510/W510 15.6" models, there seems to be no wobbly or hinge breaking issues seen on the T60 - T400 era Thinkpads. Also, the hinges on these models are actually adjustable like most IBM era Thinkpads (see here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paZRDPW_ZYo). There still seems to be some wobbly hinge problems with 14" T410 - T430 models, though. Not quite sure how post T430/T530/W530/X230 models will be, since they are still relatively new.

As far as QC is concerened, I have seen and felt numerous T420 models as well as my personal W530. Most of them had better fit and finish and less creaking than the four T61s I have dealt with, but the plastics do feel a bit cheaper. Suprisingly, the plastics and chassis still feels stiffer, with the exception of the lids on T61 and T400 models (have magnesium roll cage). My T60 edges them all out quality and feel, though.

[Markstar]

Thank you guys for your replies! (I replied yesterday but it seems my answer was lost).

It sounds like these models are still a good choice. Or do you guys recommend another model, maybe *gasp* from another manufacturer?

Thanks again!

[axur-delmeria]

Well, if you want something sturdy, there's always the Toughbooks.

[AJN]

Are newer HP's Elitebooks any good what comes to durability/build quality?

[micrex22]

Are newer HP's Elitebooks any good what comes to durability/build quality?

I deal with them on a daily basis and they feel pretty cheap, *especially* the keyboards. In fact, the colour of the keys (some are black, some are grey) is visibly inconsistent from the mould process-- which is never a good sign. They don't have a roll cage either, so the thin plastic at the bottom flexes easily and always feels like it's about to break.

The only useful factor about them is if you need legacy serial and dial-up, they have it on the higher-end models with a docking station port. HP is probably taking the reigns on the business-legacy market since IBM doesn't make laptops anymore; because if they did, we'd still have serial / parallel on the docks, along with system request (because you never know when someone will need to call their S/390 *sarcasm*).

[brchan]

Most HP elitebooks are not flimsy. I would argue that the 8470p is stronger than most newer thinkpads. Exterior generally seems more resistant to breaking, but is easier to get dents. Elitebooks use duracase exterior magnesium alloy design while thinkpads have a rollcage + plastic exterior. However, thinkpads do seem to handle water spills better.
http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/profess ... _us_en.pdf

The keyboards and trackpoint on elitebooks are generally poorer compared to the thinkpad ones.

[micrex22]

Most HP elitebooks are not flimsy. I would argue that the 8470p is stronger than most newer thinkpads. Exterior generally seems more resistant to breaking, but is easier to get dents. Elitebooks use duracase exterior magnesium alloy design while thinkpads have a rollcage + plastic exterior. However, thinkpads do seem to handle water spills better.
http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/profess ... _us_en.pdf

The keyboards and trackpoint on elitebooks are generally poorer compared to the thinkpad ones.

Well in the older HPs the magnesium frame is more prevalent (but then I could make the case that older ThinkPads are even more durable than said older elitebooks), so the ThinkPads are always more durable.

We just got some elitebooks in today and as usual, cheap feeling and the keyboard flexes like a bouncy castle floor (newer thinkpads like the T430 *do not* have flexing keyboards, very solid). Also since I got multiple elitebooks in I was able to compare manufacturing inconsistencies. The synaptics touchstyk on the elitebooks is never consistently positioned, sometimes it's glued down at an odd angle... so that's going to affect how it performs. Yuck.

Onto the magnesium frame-- *only* the bottom cover was magneiusm, the rest of the machine was plastic (top cover was plated in thin metal, though). And the only piece of magneiusm was so thin... The T430's internal magnesium frame is much thicker and they feel way more solid.

If you want pictures of the inconsistent touchstyks, the lack of magnesium and the chintzy keyboard: I can provide. The ONLY thing that impressed me was that the fan was ball-bearing based. In lieu of all that the elitebooks do look nice, but those keyboards... why HP... why... makes the new ThinkPad chiclet 'boards lordly.

[Temetka]

As a user and owner of previous T60's and T61's let me give you my own input.

I am currently using a T410 as my primary computer. I also have a Dell D630 for backup duty. This T410 feels just as solid as my old T6x laptops. As a consultant, I travel a lot and open and close my laptop dozens of times per day. It also sits in precarious positions in server rooms, comms racks and so on. It's even taken a few spills to the floor. It has ZERO signs of damage. Not even a hairline crack. I know because I clean my laptop on a weekly basis. I inspect every part closely. I love my T410 and have come to rely on it to be just as, if not more trustworthy than any other laptop I have ever owned. Ever. I cannot recommend this line enough. T410's are little tanks with great computing power.