objective hardware comparisons? dell vs. ibm

[chexmix]

I dug myself up a ThinkPad R31 off eBay because I was less than thrilled with the hardware "feel" of a Dell Inspiron I purchased, and had heard (from where I cannot recall) that IBM laptop hardware was simply superior.

However, I asked a tech where I work for his opinion, and he plunked for Dell without hesitation. Of course, our office has a deal with Dell, so that's not exactly objective.

Is there anywhere I can find (online or in-print) a reasonably unbiased blow by blow comparison of Dell and IBM -- and other brands -- laptop hardware? I'm trying to decide on future use of the two laptops I own & am wondering which is a better "investment" (bigger hard drives, etc) for the future. Of course I know that individual units will have their own quirks, etc.

Of course I have a Dell discount b/c of the job ...

[slagmi]

http://www.laptoplogic.com

http://www.consumerreports.org

http://reviews.cnet.com/?legacy=cnet

http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1874,9,00.asp

Just to name a few. These would be good starting places.

And just IMO (I have an R32, and some others), the R series is the most 'Dell-like' Thinkpad there is. R's and T's are truly different machines. So be careful which Dell model you are comparing to. Price is a good indicator of which Dell models are higher-end.