Thinkpads Forum

Just a question I have had while shopping for a new notebook computer...

I have read reviews from many sources over the years--and recently still---that support IBM's leadership for reliability with their brand of notebook computers among tech support companies and users.

Consistently year after year the IBM Thinkpad brand always leads the other PC-based notebook brands like: Dell, Gateway, HP, Compaq, etc...with only Apple edging them out as #1 "overall", but
now the ratings refer to IBM as Lenovo-IBM, and brings to mind a question since IBM and Lenovo Brand notebook computers are both available to purchase as separate brand notebooks (Office Depot sells both).

Lenovo now owns IBM, and even though the IBM Thinkpads are still being produced and maintain their reputation for excellence, how does the Lenovo notebook reliability stack up to the IBM?

Lenovo was a separate brand of notebook computer before they merged with IBM, so aren't Lenovo notebooks still basically a different brand from the Thinkpad family?

Lenovo "inherited" the IBM Thinkpads' reputation for reliability, as this track record was earned by IBM prior to the merger. Since Lenovo now owns IBM, how can the Lenovo brand notebook
"automatically" have that same reputation bestowed upon their brand as well?

True, Lenovo Notebooks seem to give you more bang for the buck--(similar pricing difference as is found between an Intel and AMD machine or between an Acer brand compared to a Sony) but can the Lenovo be considered "an IBM notebook at a cheaper price", and have the same assumed reputation for quality and reliability that IBM is known for, simply because Lenovo owns IBM now?

Any opinions?

Just a minor correction; Lenovo does *not* own IBM, they own the PC Division which IBM sold off.

Is this in the right conference? Are you asking about ThinkPads or Lenovo's other lines?

Is this in the right conference? Are you asking about ThinkPads or Lenovo's other lines?

I am wanting to compare the Thinkpad notebooks with the Lenovo brand notebooks to determine if they are really just the same computer--since Lenovo "owns IBM's PC division".

Is Lenovo simply an IBM thinkpad with the Lenovo casing and logo on it, so it sells for alot less than it's IBM branded counterpart?

As I mentioned in my initial post, Office Depot sells both Thinkpad brand and Lenovo brand Notebooks and there is a difference in price between the two--even though each notebook has comparable features. Are they the same computer "under the hood"?[/quote]

Not quite, they do have some differences. The Lenovos generally are comparable to a Thinkpad with some major feature deletes straight from the Factory, the absence of the Trackpoint being the most notable. Other than that, of the machines I have tried, they all seem Thinkpad-ish in how they handle and their UI; I don't know as much about prolonged use and the "deeper" internals, though.

I believe the C and N series were designed after Lenovo purchased the PC division from IBM, possibly by the same designers. I've only briefly looked at them when shopping for a new laptop for the girlfriend. They seemed very well built and capable, but she went with a Satellite instead. I can't blame her...24 months 0% interest...