Which Notebook???

[JEVION]

This will be my first laptop, ever! However, because of my inexperience with notebooks, I dont know which one I should purchase. Im looking for the best value for my money. Maybe you folks at thinkpads.com can help me. Thanks in advance!

Choices:

1. IBM ThinkPad T20 (Refurb) PentiumIII 700MHz 256MB 20GB 14.1" XGA CD-ROM 56K v.90 10/100bTX LAN (No OS) (Refurbished / 90 Day Warranty / No Returns) ---$425

2. IBM ThinkPad T21 (Refurb) PentiumIII 800MHz 256MB 20GB 14.1" XGA CD-ROM 56K v.90 10/100bTX LAN (No OS) (Refurbished / 90 Day Warranty / No Returns) ---$429

3. IBM ThinkPad A22m (Refurb) PentiumIII 700MHz 256MB 30GB 14.1" XGA DVD-ROM 56K v.90 10/100bTX LAN (No OS) (Refurbished / 90 Day Warranty / No Returns) ---$452

4. Toshiba Satellite Pro 4600 (Refurb) PentiumIII 750MHz 256MB 20GB 15.0" XGA TridentXP 16MB DVD-ROM 56K v.90 10/100bTX LAN 802.11b Upgradable (No OS) (Refurbished / 90 Day Warranty / No Returns)
---$483

[doppelfish]

OK, so the T21 gives You most bang for the buck, but the A22m gives You a DVD-ROM and 10GB more hdd space for only $23 more. Dunno about the Satellite, but it's not outstanding in this bunch ...
Now, if you were looking for raw computing power, you would't be looking at these models, right? I'd say the DVD ROM of the A22m beats the 'additional' 100MHz clock speed of the T21 any time. I mean, visualize it: (1) How long does a DVD play? (2) How often does your box run at 100% CPU capcity?

My suggestion, in case this wasn't obvious by now, would be: "Go for the A22m."

cheers,
-- fish

[GomJabbar]

If you can get the T23 for not too much more, I would go with that one.

[JEVION]

Thanks alot guys for pointing out which one to buy. I will be getting the A22M, but how is the build quality on a IBM notebook, specifically an A22M?
Thanks again.

Jeff

[tfflivemb2]

FWIW, I would recommend the T21, given your 4 choices. You can always add a larger hard drive or DVD drive. It is much easier than upgrading the processor. Furthermore, there has been a lot of notation throughout the forum of the A22M's have had a lot of motherboard problems.

[tfflivemb2]

One more thing to add...with the popularity of the T series, it will be alot easier to find replacement parts if something were to go wrong. Especially since a lot of the parts are interchangeable in the T series. (including the ability to use the more powerful T30 battery for more battery time)

[GomJabbar]

I worked with a guy that had an A21, and it was a fine laptop. I do not think you will be disappointed with the build quality of the A22m. The A-series are a little larger than the T-series, as they are more of a desktop replacement laptop.

[JEVION]

Uh oh, lots of motherboard problems!??? What specifically would happen?

[tfflivemb2]

I did a bit of research before when I was looking at buying an A22M about a month ago. I searched through the A series forum for info, and also received direct input from Deb Suran, one of the moderators for that forum. She advised me to stay away from the A2* series, as the three that she purchased for her goddaughters all came back with different problems (ie. mobo, dim screen, dead screen, etc.)

Now, I must note that I haven't actually used one. My opinion is based on my own research (as well as Deb's input), and it is just that...my own opinion.

Try checking out the A series forum.

[doppelfish]

[...] Try checking out the A series forum.

Yes, there's the sticky thread at the very top. Some A2* models had motherboard troubles. I took this into account in the previous post, tho': The very machine you get is either in the low phase of the bathtub courve, or it's first mobo crapped out on it (ie, its previous owner), and was replaced by a non-faulty one. Are you getting any kind of guarantee on whatever you buy?

cheers,
-- fish

[Boricua65]

I would go with the T series as well. If you can get a T22, it would be worth it. The T22 comes with a 900 MHz, 20 GB HDD and a DVD-ROM as standard equipment. The other poster were correct about the A2* series. I personally don't have one, but in checking on eBay for parts, I have seen tons of A2* series mobos (and sold rather cheaply I might add). The Toshiba Satellites are known for good quality as well, not that I'm trying to steer you away from a TP .

[dsvochak]

If you're limited to the 4 choices in the original post, I'd go with the T21.

DVD vs CD isn't an issue unless you plan to watch DVD's. If you do want a DVD, the drives are relatively cheap on eBay. In addition, batteries and other parts are readily available.

GomJabbar said "If you can get the T23 for not too much more, I would go with that one."

I'd agree with that and add the following:

1) The T23 with the 1.13 PIII is a lot faster than any of your four choices. I'm writing this on one. I've used T4x thinkpads and other brands later generation machines. While they're nice, they aren't all that much faster than the T23 for everyday use.

2) You can go to 1 Gig memory in the T23 instead of a 512mb max in the T's you've listed.

3) The T23 takes P133 memory which is cheaper than the P100 used in the T21.

4) You can probably find a better deal. In June I bought a T23 on eBay with 256mb memory, 30g hard drive, CD, W2K for $425. They're probably a little cheaper now.

Good luck.

[newmanm]

just after my one year was up, my LCD died. I made the mistake of buying a new one for around $400 (instead of waiting for one to pop up on eBay).

not long after that my motherboard died. I found one at a lower mhz (650 instead of 800) for $125.

[Kyocera]

I loaded some software on a customers A22 today, felt like a very solid machine. Typical IBM.