In the market for new Thinkpad - R52?

[hajo]

Hello,

I need a new laptop (desktop replacement) for an upcoming project.
My wishlist

-big screen (15'', better than XGA)
-DVD-Writer
-good performance (cpu, graphics)

I want to go for an IBM/Lenovo. Looking at the current product lineup, my favorite is the R52 series. In detail, one of the models with SXGA+ screen, ATI x300 graphics and DVD writer.

There seem to be some issues with the R52, can somebody help me here?

-fan noise with R51/R52/T4x: some people report a constantly running fan on some models and pinpoint the problem on the new Sonoma platform and the graphics chipset. Is this a real issue? Does anybody have a setup with Sonoma and Ati x300 graphics, and can report on the noise problem?

-screen: I read the 15'' displays in R52 models are no flexview, but ordinary screens - and sometimes I read display quality is not good.
Can somebody with a R52, 15'' screen comment on this?

-quality and service: I understand service and warranty handling is still done by IBM. For how long? I intend to get 3 years of bring-in warranty - will I have three years service from IBM, or will Lenovo change something here in the near future

Thanks in advance for your help and comments!

[IBM Thinkpad]

R52 means robustness. Good to use. Lots of privacy. Good for use in the airport because only the person sitting in front of the screen will see the screen clearly not the one at the side. No flexiview.

[Puppy]

The fact there are no longer IPS (FlexView) panels in R series is probably the main issue. I haven't seen the R52 display but I suppose its quality won't be good. On the other hand most of panels (except top models) used by other notebook vendors are horrible and overall quality is going down.

[dr_st]

Lots of privacy. Good for use in the airport because only the person sitting in front of the screen will see the screen clearly not the one at the side.

Wrong! Anyone sitting next to you will see the screen very clearly. Privacy. Yeah, right. I'm buying a laptop for privacy.

[abvc]

Hello,

I need a new laptop (desktop replacement) for an upcoming project.
My wishlist

-big screen (15'', better than XGA)
-DVD-Writer
-good performance (cpu, graphics)

I want to go for an IBM/Lenovo. Looking at the current product lineup, my favorite is the R52 series. In detail, one of the models with SXGA+ screen, ATI x300 graphics and DVD writer.

There seem to be some issues with the R52, can somebody help me here?

-fan noise with R51/R52/T4x: some people report a constantly running fan on some models and pinpoint the problem on the new Sonoma platform and the graphics chipset. Is this a real issue? Does anybody have a setup with Sonoma and Ati x300 graphics, and can report on the noise problem?

-screen: I read the 15'' displays in R52 models are no flexview, but ordinary screens - and sometimes I read display quality is not good.
Can somebody with a R52, 15'' screen comment on this?

-quality and service: I understand service and warranty handling is still done by IBM. For how long? I intend to get 3 years of bring-in warranty - will I have three years service from IBM, or will Lenovo change something here in the near future

Thanks in advance for your help and comments!

fan noise: quiet on battery with brightness setting set to normal (not high - less light than with ac) even with wireless (just for browsing with lowest performance) but again im using GMA 900.
screen: imo the screen is decent. it's a matte u can't expect glossy here and there, plus non flexview is actually great for battery and who cares about other ppl im using it for myself!