Your Favorite ThinkPad Series

[hunterman223]

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

Probably. They are so similar that the T and R400 share the same specifications sheet.

[dr_st]

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

Probably. Ever since the R61 series, the difference between the 14" R and T models has been virtually non-existing. 15" models still retained some differentiation - the R series were more "value" models, with cheaper components/construction, thicker/heavier chassis and a lower price tag. I guess someone in Lenovo did the research and came to the conclusion that the R series in that state fell in between - those who could afford the R, would in most cases spend the little extra to get the T. So they decided to replace the R series with the L series, which is more of a "value" line - significantly cheaper and lacking obvious things when compared to the T.

[Radioguy]

The cynic in me wonders if they actually decided to scrap the T series due to cost, and call all the current R models T instead.

[dr_st]

Doesn't look like they did. The current T series use the same components and construction materials as previous T series, and are roughly equivalent in size/weight. The design was improved in most areas. The only thing that one can say has been taken from R series is the fact that 15" T/W models now use thicker chassis and Ultrabay Enhanced opticals (instead of Ultrabay Slim). Which is also an improvement in its own way - thicker chassis makes for better heat dissipation and less flex, and Ultrabay Slim drives are notorious for being expensive, slow and malfunctioning frequently.

[Falcon63]

I still find pre Lenovo laptops, to be of better quality then when they took over (Had not played with the newer ones). They just seem to have a tighter fit...

I hope I am not disappointed with the S20. I am still back and fourth if I should pull the trigger or not, wish they would post coupons...

~Steven

[hunterman223]

Is it true that the R500 lacks the roll-cage in the lid? Does this affect durability, or does the extra thickness make up for that?

[Temetka]

I voted for the T4x series as being my all time favorite.

I had a T41p for a very long time and it was a truly awesome machine in every sense of the word. I upgraded the CPU to a 2GHz Dothan, maxed the RAM at 2GB and installed a 200GB HD, Ultrabay battery and a DVD burner. God I loved the machine. Had to sell it for financial reasons, which I regret to this very day.

My second favorite series would be the X4z line. I have always loved ultra-portable computers. This small size and weight appeal very greatly to me as does the classic black IBM look. It's funny one of my absolute favorite ultra-portables is not an IBM at all, but a Compaq. Oh god how I loved those little M300's.



Though now my current is my X41T which is just pure awesome, looking over that Compaq still brings a pang of sadness (geeky I know) to my heart knowing that mine stolen from me. I guess if there was any computer that I truly fell in synch with and understand it was that little Armada, but don't tell that to my old T41p who will also hold a special place in my heart for all time.

God now i'm thinking of checking e-bay for used Armada's.

/sigh

[alofano]

I have had a couple of ThinkPads and find my present T60 to be the "BEST EVER", for me. I too perfer the pre-lenovo line. I woud like to upgrade but am thinking very hard as I have heard that the lenovo line are cheaper built. Is that the case ... what is your opinion on the lenovo lines ?

Thanks.

[Unknown_K]

Who is to say what IBM would have done to the Thinkpad line if they did not sell it. If Lenovo kept the engineers that IBM used then things might have been the same if IBM was still putting their name on it, or it could be worse.

[Radioguy]

I remember asking this awhile back in another thread, but maybe things have changed....

How likely is it, and what events need to take place, for IBM to reaquire the brand? (A wild fantasy, I know, but I wonder how far-fetched that scenario is)

For instance, how is Lenovo doing? What about IBM? Is one in a position to takeover the other? Would it be profitable at this point?

[Falcon63]

I remember asking this awhile back in another thread, but maybe things have changed....

How likely is it, and what events need to take place, for IBM to reaquire the brand? (A wild fantasy, I know, but I wonder how far-fetched that scenario is)

For instance, how is Lenovo doing? What about IBM? Is one in a position to takeover the other? Would it be profitable at this point?

I always wondered the story between IBM and Lenovo. Who is Lenovo (Research say largest Chinese manfacuture)? IBM is always hireing for Manfucturing, R&D, Security, Etc; all over the world. So they still produce some sort of product.

~Steven

[ajkula66]

Falcon63 wrote:

I always wondered the story between IBM and Lenovo.

My understanding is that the PC division was a money pit for IBM, and that's why it got sold.

IBM is always hireing for Manfucturing, R&D, Security, Etc; all over the world.

They also got rid of a significant number of employees, at least in U.S. and Canada, over the past decade. Pretty much like everyone and anyone else, in all fairness.

[LegendaryKA8]

Out of every notebook I've owned, I have to say my X200 is probably the best notebook I've had the pleasure of owning. Thin, light, small, and powerful all in one package. I do use my T400 quite a bit and really like it, but if I need something small to snag when going out the door or just something to cart around the house for anything non-gaming, the X200 does everything I need it to. It'll also handle light-duty gaming for a bit of a plus.

Although if we're talking pre-Lenovo models, I really liked my T21. That one went everywhere with me and experienced a lot of abuse along the way... which it soaked up without complaint. It still works just fine, and I even used it for a spell when I sent my T400 and X200 in for warranty repairs. The footprint was just about perfect for me. Funnily enough the X200 has about the same footprint as the T21.

[ThinkRob]

My understanding is that the PC division was a money pit for IBM, and that's why it got sold.

Pretty much. I was told by an ex-IBM employee (moved, not laid-off) that the PC division was so consistently in the red that the one quarter that they broke even, they threw a party. No idea if it's true, but it certainly matches what I've heard elsewhere.

They also got rid of a significant number of employees, at least in U.S. and Canada, over the past decade. Pretty much like everyone and anyone else, in all fairness.

This is also true. They're pretty focused on their "service-based" approach it seems. On the other hand, things change, and it wouldn't surprise me if new leadership reversed that position a decade or two from now. Just think: just a little over a decade ago, IBM was producing what are now considered some of the best notebooks in history (600-series), and nobody would have ever dreamed of the divestiture. Who knows what the next decade holds...

[automobus]

My favourite explanation of the sale is by bhtooefr at geekhack forums. It is from a discussion of monitors, and the T220/T221 was mentioned, which brought-up ThinkPads. I guess enough workplaces revised their value equation, and concluded that the cost of IBM just was not worth it.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=171349#post171349

And, IBM makes billions of dollars partially by looking at what's bleeding them dry, and killing it. This is why they sold the PC division - PC customers want cheap, commodity, volume, and when it breaks, buy another one. That's not what IBM does. IBM does horrendously expensive, but it doesn't break, it's extremely well supported, and if it does break, it figures out that it's broken, and calls IBM on its own, and they send a part or a tech before you even notice the failure.

As for the laptop panels... people did see them, and ThinkPads were even occasionally in stores. People didn't care. Laptop technology gets old quickly, so cheap and disposable is the name of the game - why design a laptop to have top-quality parts and last 15 years, when in 2 years, it's going to be completely outdated, and in 3 years, it's going to be slow enough that it's seriously affecting productivity, compared to the latest and greatest? IPS isn't cheap. TN is.

[ajkula66]

automobus wrote:

I guess enough workplaces revised their value equation, and concluded that the cost of IBM just was not worth it.

That's a very simplistic explanation of a complex phenomenon, at least IMHO. Whether it's politically correct to say so or not is a whole another matter, but many companies dropped ThinkPads like a hot potato when the name became a property of Lenovo. Transition to widescreen didn't help either.

Most of the large corporate customers that no longer employ ThinkPads have gone to Apple and Panasonic - depending on the industry involved - and to a lesser degree, HP - at least in my experience, and most of my workweek is spent in IT departments of Fortune 50 companies...

ThinkRob wrote:

Just think: just a little over a decade ago, IBM was producing what are now considered some of the best notebooks in history (600-series), and nobody would have ever dreamed of the divestiture.

They were getting rid of people even back then, and in quantities, including dumping them on other companies that didn't even belong to the same industry...I've met dozens of former IBM employees that were sent to various part of former Bell System to spend their final years (and retire with a Bell pension instead of an IBM one), learning "tip and ring" at the age where one qualifies for Social Security...my understanding of that particular deal is that it was slightly younger than dinosaurs, but obviously both sides felt that there was something to gain...

[thePCxp]

All ThinkPad series are my favorites. I love all ThinkPads!

[Tasurinchi]

Tough decision! Finally I voted for the X-series due to the portability. But I also love the T-Series...