Thinkpads Forum

I've had an A22m for 4 years, and aside from replacing the keyboard, it has worked flawlessly. I need a new/used Thinkpad to replace my desktop. Price is not the issue, but I want one with maximum I/O and enough performance that I will be happy for the next 3-6 years. Frankly the choices are daunting. If you had unlimited money, what would you buy? Thanks in advance.

If I had unlimited money, I'd buy the best desktop PC money can buy and the best portable laptop money can buy. I don't believe in desktop replacements.

Assuming current pace of technology, nothing you buy now will keep you happy in 6 years. 3 years - maybe, depending on your demands. My 3.5-year old laptop with a 1.8GHz P4-M CPU is still very capable for internet, word processing, MATLAB and easy gaming. My 5.5-year old desktop with an AMD K6-2 is long outdated and can only be used for old games and basic net/office apps, running Windows 98SE.

I used to buy desktops because I could add in cards as the need arose. For the last few years, my laptop (A22m) has sufficed, and only required that I use the wireless adapter, now that I have a wireless network at home. I rarely take it on the road anymore, but when I do, I take the wireless PCM adapter along. There are so many Thinkpad models that I don't know which to choose for the future. I suppose I'll just get the one with the most speed, memory, and built in's.

If you are looking to to use it for the next 3-6 years as a desktop replacement I would wait for the T60p.

It has dual core, V5200 video card which is twice as powerful as V3200 that is currently offered in T43p.

The maximum RAM is also 4GB as well, which io plenty for next few years.

In addition, a full docking station.

This is assuming that money is no objective.

Another way of looking at this is to combine a laptop and desktop into one machine. Make sure the laptop has a 7200-rpm hard drive for speed, equip it with enough ram for what you do (768Mb serves me), then get a port replicator, flat screen monitor, mouse, keyboard, floppy disk drive, and power supply. Put the latter in a desktop arrangement, engage the laptop and use it like a desktop. Pop the laptop out and take it with you.

Add network storage to this lot, and you would have a slick setup.
... JD Hurst

If "desktop replacement" means it's a laptop that you leave on your desk most of the time and that you carry only occasionally, then I highly recommend getting the biggest screen possible. I don't think IBM/Lenovo has any 17" models, but many other manufacturers do. The Dell XPS M170 would be a nice choice.

If it were me, I would look into a T Series/R Series/Z Series Thinkpad with larger dimensions. Either a Z60m, or a 15" T4X or R5X with all the options maxed out.


You could also look around for a G Series Thinkpad.

HTH

christopher_wolf wrote:If it were me, I would look into a T Series/R Series/Z Series Thinkpad with larger dimensions. Either a Z60m, or a 15" T4X or R5X with all the options maxed out.

Yep, Flexview (on a T or a R) or MaxBright (on a Z) will make some gorgeous screens.

christopher_wolf wrote:You could also look around for a G Series Thinkpad.

I don't think that's a good idea. Unless your definition of "desktop replacement" means - must be ugly, overheating and underperforming.