Looking For Thinkpad Recommendations For My Dad.

[bmstrong]

I'm looking to replace my Dad's ageless stuttering Windows 7 laptop. At this point he's using some ancient HP with the worlds worst screen, and his eyesight isn't getting any better. He just uses it for basic computing. He also likes to take pictures, edit and browse through them. Some video watching. He also has a tendency to be hard on the equipment.

So I'm thinking Thinkpad, in the 13-15 size, with a budget of $500-$700. It doesn't have to be the world's greatest and latest. Just a solid laptop with a great screen. Something to last a good while, and runs Windows 7 well.

Thoughts and recommendations?

[brchan]

Your options would most likely be:

1. T60p 15 inch with excellent IPS (UXGA or SXGA+) screen
2. T61P/T500/W500 15.4 inch with WUXGA screen (pretty good, but not as nice as 1., and resolution may be too high)
3. W510/W520/W530/T510/T520/T530 with 1080p screen (very good)

2 and 3 have relatively high resolutions (1900x1200 and 1920x1080) but you could use windows dpi scaling to help fix the issue. T60p with SXGA+ IPS screen would probably be the best in terms of image quality and size, but are rare (and a bit dated performance wise). I would probably try to find a T520 or W520 between $500 and $700 with the 1080p screen, and then increase the dpi in Windows to make look bigger without sacrificing image quality.

[bmstrong]

Your options would most likely be:

1. T60p 15 inch with excellent IPS (UXGA or SXGA+) screen
2. T61P/T500/W500 15.4 inch with WUXGA screen (pretty good, but not as nice as 1., and resolution may be too high)
3. W510/W520/W530/T510/T520/T530 with 1080p screen (very good)

2 and 3 have relatively high resolutions (1900x1200 and 1920x1080) but you could use windows dpi scaling to help fix the issue. T60p with SXGA+ IPS screen would probably be the best in terms of image quality and size, but are rare (and a bit dated performance wise). I would probably try to find a T520 or W520 between $500 and $700 with the 1080p screen, and then increase the dpi in Windows to make look bigger without sacrificing image quality.

Stellar suggestions, with my thanks. All look to be in his budget. I've been scanning the Lenovo Outlet daily looking for deals. Initially, I was looking at the T440's, but the large amount of them in the Outlet just makes me nervous.

Any other brands you might recommend? I'll go wherever to make sure he gets a rock solid machine.

[brchan]

I would stay away from the newest generation of Thinkpads like the T440p. Many have reported QC, build quality, trackpad, flexing, and other issues, (reflected by the amount of units on the outlet?) though some have said they were OK. I don't own one, so I can't really say much about them.

There are offerings from HP and Dell that come with nice IPS screens, but I am not familiar with which specific models. Hopefully someone else can chime in? One of my family members has an 8470p, and it is built like a tank. However, while I found the keyboard and trackpoint to be decent, they were a bit of a downgrade compared to the ones on my T61.

[ajkula66]

Stellar suggestions, with my thanks. All look to be in his budget. I've been scanning the Lenovo Outlet daily looking for deals. Initially, I was looking at the T440's, but the large amount of them in the Outlet just makes me nervous.

Any other brands you might recommend? I'll go wherever to make sure he gets a rock solid machine.

You are highly unlikely to find anything older than *20 series in the Outlet,and even those might not come with the FHD screen which is about the only thing -apart from the "old style" keyboard - that makes them desirable.

HP's EliteBooks with DreamColor IPS panels and Dell's Precision line offer some fabulous screens. With that said:

a) Keyboard on HPs leave a lot to be desired IMO, but their TrackPoint is very good while the Dells are the other way around and

b) You're unlikely to find a top-tier refurbed laptop with an IPS screen within your budget.

Good luck.

[bmstrong]

Turns out it's hard to convince the older generation to drop cash on a new laptop, even if the one currently in service is awful. Are there any 1600 X 900 Thinkpads worth looking at? I'm wondering if I can get away with finding an i3/i5 in the $200-$300 price range. It doesn't have to look pretty just work well.

[RealBlackStuff]

I have the perfect T420 with 1600x900 for your Dad: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=114903