Business notebook? (slightly OT)

[schmaud]

Hi,

I just realized that some marketing for the T-series misses the point. It is marketed as business model, since it is lighter and more durable than ussually.

They should market it as familiy model as well.

This morning I found my three year old bouncing up and down on my T42 without any damage to the system ( but to my nerves ). Not to mention when she wanted to see what I am doing and pushing the system off the table by excident.. I could go on for a while.

My point is: in a family environment a system can have more stress than in a business environment (where it sit often in a well padded bag in the trunk of a car).

Similar: when I go on a business trip I carry much less compared to going away with the familiy. So the weight is a much more important issue in this context.

Durability: most business machines get replaces every 2-3 years anyhow. At home such a cycle is coften closer to 5 years (anyone remebers the old i-series? The t42 replaced it for me), therefore the durability is more important...

Yes, the T-series is great for business, but it is a huge plus at home as well, when you do not have to be over protective and carefull with your computer.

sorry for the slight OT post

ralf

[KristianJ]

I think the family factor comes more into play as the T series ages, since I doubt most"simple" families don't need the most advanced Core 2 Duo CPUs and what not. A good 2nd hand example is a DVD player to keep the kids occupied, a photo album, a games machine, etc. The laptops that the business professionals cast aside are perfect for the home.

[unimorpheus]

Happy 4th to all ThinkPad aficionados.

Schmaud I don’t think this post is off topic at all. I am currently stationed in Kuwait with my third ThinkPad, a T43p model. Last year I carried a Z60m w/ titanium lid that I love but it is too heavy for my requirements. The Z60m replaced a T43 14” that I started the deployment with. I don’t know if you are familiar with the 14” T43 series but the right side hinge is much smaller than usual and while exiting a C-130 my pack fell off of the cargo hook. The T43 hit the deck right on the thin hinge corner blowing that corner wide open. The cd/dvd and battery had dislodged from the laptop, the lcd/lid was split open, the lid was very tight and sprang open when the latch was released and once open would not close. To finish it all off the lower case was cracked and the small hinge bent so the lid was not square with the base. I wish I had taken some pictures.

Needless to say I thought the machine was done. I reinserted the cd/dvd and the battery hit the power and everything worked fine. All the damage was structural and easily fixed. After spending some time in the maintenance manual looking up part numbers for broken plastic, ordering the replacements from IBM and two hours rebuilding the machine it is up and running to this day. On a daily basis my machine is exposed to faulty generator power, way to much dust/sand, thrown in and out of a bag and bounced around from here to there. It sounds like you environment is just as challenging.

I see a lot of Dells and Toshibas that are newer than my T43p having problems of all sorts. I don’t think calling the ThinkPad a “business machine” is a bad thing I just think you have to consider the business you are in. Some are tougher than others.

[sugo]

No matter how durable, most consumers will choose a $500 Compaq or Toshiba laptop at retail store instead. Honestly, if one wants a tough computer at home, Desktop might be a better choice.