Z60m vs N100?

[budugu]

After taking a look at z60m i liked it much more than the current R52 that i am using. I was about to take a plunge into the new 899$ (+150$ upgrade)Z60m under the (save an artificial insane amount on our laptops deal + 512MB free). Then i realized that i can get a fully load N100 for much less. Both of them look like they are of the same dimensions (not to mention the Core Duo). i hate the silver on the laptop but atleast i will not be looking at it when i am using it . Was wondering if i should go with the z60m or N100? Track point is nice but i can live with out it as long as the keyboard ok (that said i have a USB Ultra Nav keyboard that i used with my imac)

PS: i want to stay as close to 1000 as possible!

[lithium726]

Z60.

Higher build quality and the lenovo laptop is, quite frankly, fugly.

if you can, wait for the Z61 so you can have that core duo

[zhenya]

What I decided when I was looking was that the Z60m was significantly better made than the N100. Most of the reason I was considering Lenovo was for the build quality and specific features offered on the Thinkpads. You get a few tastes of that stuff with the N100, but not most of the good stuff. The N100 is definitely a consumer grade machine, and I would compare closely with other brands if you like the N100. Granted, I was on more than twice the budget you're looking at - and at $1000 I might also forgo the Thinkpad build quality in order to get more bells and whistles from a consumer-grade machine.

FWIW, as a new Thinkpad user - the Trackpoint is incredible. I've always used the touchpad on every other laptop I've had - and a mouse as much as possible. I now never use the touchpad, and rarely even bother to connect a mouse. I'm stunned at the difference between a trackpoint and the generic pointer stick on every other laptop I've used.

[budugu]

I finally ordered a low end z60M (with wxga and x300) from the Student & Education store. Not the best of the deals but yeah it was not way above my budget ($1250 all inc). Anyway the sale of the highend N100 (with 7300 WSXGA) was over

thanks for your input.

[archer6]

I finally ordered a low end z60M (with wxga and x300) from the Student & Education store.

You will be very happy with the ThinkPad, hands down it is very superior to the Lenovo N series. (at any price, believe me)

[JaredMcDonley]

I was looking into the lenovo model... kinda lacked luster unlike a thinkpad. They looked kinda bland and plain, but in a copycat kinda way. After getting my z60t, I am really happy I went with the thinkpad. You will not look back and regret it, I assure you.

[snife]

I think its like comparing a ThinkPad with a DELL or an ACER - while they might be fine for some (I would suggest novice users and hope that thinkpad bias here will prevent any comeback on that statement), I do not think think they are for professionals. If you buy a lenovo 3000 model you are missing out on the attention to detail and heritage that make ThinkPads what they are - you will just be getting another generic machine with a few things customised and a lenovo badge stuck on it.

The single biggest reason to buy a ThinkPad IMHO is the trackpoint, it speeds my working up more than any cpu upgrade ever could; touchpads are evil, hellbent on total notebook domination.

[archer6]

- while they might be fine for some

I agree with you on this. It's my understanding that the target customer for the Lenovo notebooks (not ThinkPad) is the consumer market. In this context I believe they are a good value and serve a purpose. That said, there is a huge difference between these and the ThinkPad models. It goes way beyond appearance and price. I have had a opportunity to try each of the Lenovo models and they compare well with the other consumer focused computers such as Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc. Regarding value, I see them as a much better value than their competitors. The prices are lower, and the content is higher.

As far as comparing them to the ThinkPad line, it should not be done. It's a completely different computer.

The single biggest reason to buy a ThinkPad IMHO is the trackpoint, it speeds my working up more than any cpu upgrade ever could; touchpads are evil, hellbent on total notebook domination.

I became addicted, if you will, to the trackpoint from day one. I remain a big supporter of the trackpoint as it certainly is more accurate and faster (IMHO). Now after years of using the trackpoint exclusively, I have a choice as we all know. The funny part of this is I rarely tried the touchpad on my ThinkPads until just recently. The one significant improvement from the T4x series to the T6x series is the response of the touchpad. I am amazed how well the touchpad works on the new models. Since I still have my T4x models, I have done a side by side comparison and the improved ease of use, accuracy, adjustability of the new touchpad is wonderful. I find that I'm actually enjoying it as an occasional change from the trackpoint.