Your Favorite ThinkPad Series

[hunterman223]

Choose One. Let me know if I missed any!

[Falcon63]

I currently have a T61, I am debating on getting a T410/510. I really want a W510, but don't need that much power on the go. Probably would be better with a built desktop and laptop.

But my T61 is down and went home to snagged my mothers R60 (Shhh).

~Steven

[hunterman223]

The T510 and W510 are pretty much the same. You could get a fully loaded T510 for much cheaper then the W. Same with the T/R6x series; you would be hard pressed to tell them apart.

[Falcon63]

I thought the WXXX had a quad core? Is all Core I7 Mobile processors quad? I am not fully up on computer specs as I was.

~Steven

[hunterman223]

Whoops, never mind, read the specs wrong. T510 maxes out at an i7 620m dual core, W510 is i7 720qm, Q for quad, missed that . Other than the quad cpu, they are very similar. If you need the quad core than you are better off with the W510.

[Falcon63]

At the moment I am unemployed... So I don't need anything really.

I already cut cable/Internet (open wireless), down graded phone service, pretty much just keeping the basics (Shelter/Water/Power).

All though, I been selling like crazy on ebay... Getting stuff from CL, Estate Sells, and Police auctions. Amazing how that turns out... But I am trying to keep a computer around, just NOTHING has been going my way.

~Steven

[Neil]

As you can see in my signature, I currently own A, T, R and legacy series machines, and I've owned a few X series in the past also. The one that still gets the most use is the 600X. Everyday, it does what I need and the size is just right too.

[hunterman223]

Have you checked into thinkpad r400 or t400? These are also pretty new and feature high-end core 2 duo processors and decent graphics. Again, both are very similar. Otherwise check the lenovo outlet or ebay for a t410 or t510, ebay would be cheapest, some very good deals on there. I myself am looking into a cheap r400 to replace my 7 year old second-hand r40, just something cheap and decent to carry around when not at home.

[Falcon63]

That's the best deal I can find, but I been leaning toward the T410/510... But did not intend to buy until a month or two. I am selling my entertainment center, was going to give the T61 to mother, then sell the R60. Was also considering getting a cheaper apartment.

http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkp ... 2ar2e.html

I rent a two bedroom ($50 more then the one bedroom). For $790 a month, plus electric, water, etc. I found a nice studio near Citrus Orlando for $700 that includes everything. I feel living in Orlando will better my chances at finding a job and not kill me on gas... Just thoughts going on in my head. But I don't know if I will get a desktop or laptop. As I want it to be a do all system, work/movies. But that's a different thread for a different time. Most importantly, I am 19 and really need to start college more then anything.

But when the time comes to upgrade, I want it to be a nice upgrade from my T61 (Core I5/7 and dedicated graphics)...

~Steven

[rkawakami]

I probably surprise nobody when I say that I checked "Txx" , although I've been splitting my time between T23 and X60 over the last few months. A T23 goes to work with me every day. When I'm home, the X60 on the kitchen table (the one I'm typing on right now) gets my attention.

[hunterman223]

This T410 has the best core i7 available and the best dedicated graphics. It is fully loaded, all the bells and whistles. It is comparable to the W510 you linked to, without the quad core and fhd screen. It is also $800 cheaper, but in the end it's your choice. This would also be a lot lighter to carry around and easier on the battery. Lenovo reefurbs are excellent, and come with a warranty. You would most likely not be able to tell the difference between that and new.

http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkp ... 492ru.html

Edit: Whoops, forgot link!

[Falcon63]

I will probably be looking again at there refurbished in the coming weeks. My budget is $1,000-1,500, but can you buy an extended warranty before the years up (Or do I have to buy it when I order)? I may go with a desktop/workstation since I don't need a laptop at the moment and am mostly at my desk. Plus I can get a larger monitor that can maybe serve as TV when I watch movies... The only game I play is Sims 3 while I finish off my happy cabinet.

~Steven

[hunterman223]

You are not able to purchase an extended warranty at the time of purchase, but I am pretty sure you can purchase one before the 1 year warranty expires. Your best bet would be to call up lenovo and ask them beforehand.

[ZaZ]

If you're talking refubred units, all refurbed units come with a one year warranty and cannot be extended through normal channels. You have to buy an out of warranty upgrade to up the warranty and which is more expensive.

[hunterman223]

Thanks, there you have it.

[Falcon63]

If you're talking refubred units, all refurbed units come with a one year warranty and cannot be extended through normal channels. You have to buy an out of warranty upgrade to up the warranty and which is more expensive.

Does that apply to outlet,"NEW"? I found a couple models I am intrested in, but will look into it more when it comes time to buy.

[hunterman223]

I found this on their website:

For systems no longer covered by the initial base warranty term, Post-Warranty Maintenance Agreements that may include Priority Support or different service levels are available in one (1) year durations. Typically, post-warranty maintenance agreements may not extend beyond five (5) years from the initial purchase date, depending upon the series being covered. For more information on purchasing a Post-Warranty Maintenance Agreement visit this page.

[ZaZ]

Does that apply to outlet,"NEW"? I found a couple models I am intrested in, but will look into it more when it comes time to buy.

I'm inclined to say yes, though I'm not 100% on it. You may wish to ask Lenovo if you seek certainty or maybe someone else here knows.

[automobus]

Neil and Ray, you've made me curious about the 600 line. How do they compare to T2*, in particular the great T23?

[Unknown_K]

I voted for my T23 because it is well built, has 1400x1050 resolution, easy to work on, light but not flimsy, and it doesn't burn my lap. I can see why people like the 600's (I have a couple) but the T23 edges it out.

For the most part I collect legacy machines and the 755/760/770 series are some of my favorites. If I had to pick 3 of those they would be the 755cd, 765, and 770Z.

Kind of hard picking your favorite Thinkpad because it is like picking your favorite food, it all depends on what you are hungry for and that changes quite a bit day to day.

[rkawakami]

Neil and Ray, you've made me curious about the 600 line. How do they compare to T2*, in particular the great T23?

Note that my earlier comment was about an X60 system and not a 600X . However since you asked.... The 600 series has the best keyboard (IMO) around. The chassis feels more solid than the T23. They didn't appear to suffer from any major systemic failures (ala, the T23's habit with loose inductors). As my first Thinkpad was a 600E, I still keep several of the 600s around. The downsides, when compared to the T23, is that it has a 13.3" XGA display, only manages 650Mhz on the CPU (without resorting to surgery), maxes out at 576MB using the normally "expensive" low density SDRAM memory. The T23 essentially has double the CPU speed and memory, while it's physically just a little bit bigger. The keyboard is mushier than the 600X but not as bad as my previous laptop (Gateway). As Unknown_K stated, they are simple to work on, most of the common problems can be taken care of fairly easily, an SXGA+ screen is available, along with the built-in WiFi antennas. The T23 is still my choice for an all-around workhorse for office tasks, image editing, web browsing, etc.

All that said, I think I may have chosen the X60 as the successor to my T23s (sshh... don't tell them ). They are fast, small, have great battery life (8 cell), doesn't have a touchpad, while offering more than double the CPU and memory over the T23. Of course they are also double in cost (or more) than the T23 . Mitigating that somewhat, the X60 upgrade components are much cheaper on a per byte basis; $50 for two 2GB DDR2 SODIMMs, compared with the same cost for two 512MB PC133s; 500GB SATA drive (used) for $40 vs. a 160GB IDE drive at around the same price. They do tend to get a little warm on the palmrest but I don't find them uncomfortable. The only real negative point I have about the X60 is the smallish screen. After working all day on a 14" SXGA+ display, it's hard to get the same things to fit on a 12.1" XGA screen.

[hunterman223]

Ahh, thanks for that great write-up, after spending what seemed like forever researching the exact same thing on google!

[ajkula66]

Unknown_K wrote:

Kind of hard picking your favorite Thinkpad because it is like picking your favorite food, it all depends on what you are hungry for and that changes quite a bit day to day.

Oh so very true. Although my all-time-favourite is A31p, I voted for Txx series, since there are just way too many fabulous machines that fit in that range...I currently own SXGA+ versions of both T23 and T30 and they are simply lovable...and still VERY usable if you're content running XP and don't have high graphic performance requirements...

Doing some type of a delayed inventory, the management team at my workplace has just "discovered" several 770Z and a couple of T20/22 units which haven't seen the light of the day for at least five years, probably way longer than that. I was asked to look them over and check whether "they could be used for anything nowadays" which of course they could in my line of work, since they have serial ports which is about the only "real" requirement...but the reason I'm mentioning this is the fact that holding and turning on the first 770Z (one of the very few ThinkPads that I've never owned) reminded me of how well-built these machines were, and how solid they still feel, more than a decade after the last one rolled off the assembly line. Scary workmanship...

Speaking of "solid" built, Lenovo did well with T60/p and R60/e, at least in my book. Although not as pretty (my opinion only) as the T4x range, they certainly feel like high-end machines through and through...in all fairness, the very same can be said for Lenovo's firstborn, unloved and outsourced red-headed widescreen stepchild - the Z series - which were well-designed and competent machines, and by far - in my opinion - the prettiest widescreen ThinkPads ever...

Now someone should start the thread on "your least favourite ThinkPad series" and T61 would get my vote just about immediately...

[j-dawg]

Why, the X-series. If you don't need a fancy graphics processor, the X-series is a T-series that's been through the wash. My hands are small enough to be comfortable using an X-series keyboard, my muscles are limp enough to appreciate its size and weight, and my patience is short enough to need its long battery life. I picked Xxx because I don't have experience with the X2xx series, but it seems to carry with it the virtues of the X-series with which I am familiar.

[Unknown_K]

Now someone should start the thread on "your least favourite ThinkPad series" and T61 would get my vote just about immediately...

I never used a T61 but anything I-series I have used is junk (so nasty I don't even include the 2 I have in my collection).

[hunterman223]

I am looking into a T or Rx00 to replace my R40. Any opinions? How is build quality on these?

[Falcon63]

I am looking into a T or Rx00 to replace my R40. Any opinions? How is build quality on these?

I am looking at the current Lenovo lineup and just don't see anything about the R series?

~Steven

[ZaZ]

That's because the R series has been discontinued. They're only available from Lenovo in the outlet. ebay is another option and there's probably some pre-configured models out there on the internet.

[Harryc]

My favorite Thinkpads of all time...I voted for Xxxx, but all of the machines in my sig are my all time favorites.

[Falcon63]

That's because the R series has been discontinued. They're only available from Lenovo in the outlet. ebay is another option and there's probably some pre-configured models out there on the internet.

Why did they stop making them? To close to the T series?

~Steven