What should I get my wife?

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acasto · #1 Post by **acasto** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:42 pm

Being that I can be so indecisive on things like this, I would really appreciate any help/advice anyone might have with this. Basically, I'd just like to get my wife a laptop for her birthday, it doesn't have to be a Thinkpad, but I have a T60p myself and absolutely love it. The build quality and reliability has been fantastic. She just wants something that she can use to write, browse the web, email, stuff like that. At first I was thinking about an Toshiba or something, but I thought I would at least like to look at the options in the Thinkpad world. This T60p is my first, so I thought it would be worth while to see what people may think of and recommend of other Thinkpads.

Okay, I guess I'll just post my thoughts:

* My price range would probably be around $1000 if possible, preferably less, for instance in the case of a used or referb system, but willing to consider price as needed.

* It would be pretty nice if we could share certain accessories, for instance I have an advanced dock and an ac/dc power adapter. I guess the batteries would be compatible with R60 series, but that's not too big a deal. This would be one of the benefits I guess of going with a newer model.

* I had the devious thought that maybe I could get a system with relatively low specs for her, then upgrade some things on mine like the memory and hard drive, and use the extra parts on hers. This would of course be another benefit of a newer model.

* A major reason for going with a Thinkpad is that they are sturdy. So I didn't know how much the new models with the LCD roll-cage would excel in this category. Another thing might be the Thinkpad protection plan, which I have on my T60p. I'm not familiar if and to what extent you could add something like this onto an older model, and if it would even be worth it compared to just going for a newer system.

* Her birthday is Aug. 18, so I have a little under a month. It's not that big of a deal if it wasn't here by then, but it would be nice bonus points for not only getting a cool b-day gift, but actually having it on time. Especially considering I forgot when her birthday was the first year we were married, and numerous times I would have to double check our past tax returns just to make sure I had it right.

I'm totally open to suggestions on other makes and models of laptops as well, and she's not picky in the least bit. Thanks for any help!!!

sugo · #2 Post by **sugo** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:57 pm

A white MacBook? As much as thinkpads work well for business users, MacBooks are also well made products that are also appealing in look.

I wouldn't order from Lenovo if getting it on time is a requirement.

acasto · #3 Post by **acasto** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:16 pm

I'll take a look at the Macs, I didn't really think of that. As for Thinkpads, what about the preconfigured ones they sell at places like Staples or Newegg? If particular specs really aren't an issue, is there anything wrong with those?

#4 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:00 am

You can pick up a nice portable X60 or X60s for about $1200 brand new from places like onsale.com, maybe a bit less from eBay. If you think that your wife will use her laptop away from her desk, the portability would be a big plus.

If you go used, there is lots more choice in the $500-1000 range.

wearetheborg · #5 Post by **wearetheborg** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:57 pm

Will the laptop be used mainly at home ?

tselling · #6 Post by **tselling** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:33 pm

Why not get her a low end T60? You would be able to swap everything including the batteries if you get the same screen size. For a 14" you could get something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:us

acasto · #7 Post by **acasto** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:14 pm

wearetheborg wrote:the laptop be used mainly at home ?

I'm sure she'd probably end up using it at home quite a bit. But really it'd just be something that's hers that she can take to the coffee shop or wherever.

tselling wrote:Why not get her a low end T60? You would be able to swap everything including the batteries if you get the same screen size. For a 14" you could get something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:us

Hmm... that looks like a pretty good deal. I looked around eBay a bit, but was a little hesitant about buying something like this off eBay considering they have some basic T61/R61 configurations on Lenovo's website that isn't too much more. Could you upgrade the warranty on something like that to a protection plan? When buying things such as laptops on eBay, is there anything besides reviewing their rating that you can do to make sure things are legit? Maybe drop the name onto Google or something?

I have been thinking about Sugo's suggestion of the MacBooks, and that seems like it would be something that would fit her personality better. Even though I love the Thinkpads, the more I think about it, I think she would appreciate the simple UI and looks more than the technical aspects of the Thinkpads. Plus it has the digi cam that might come in handy with us living in North Carolina and her family in Wisconsin. I looked at the newer TPs with integrated cameras, but they seem to have a fairly decent lead time. I believe the mac uses ddr2 667mhz memory and sata hard drive as well, so hopefully I could upgrade it with spare parts if I upgrade mine. The downside is is that my experience with Macs doesn't go much further than having touched one before. Anyone here ever messed much with one? Are they a fairly decent build quality?

#8 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:34 pm

One thing to note is that the hard drives in MacBooks are definitely not designed to be user-upgradeable. It can be done, but it's much more involved than on a ThinkPad.

If you want slim & sleek to carry along to the Starbucks, the X60(s) would fit the bill, too. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Purcy · #9 Post by **Purcy** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:02 pm

acasto wrote:Especially considering I forgot when her birthday was the first year we were married, and numerous times I would have to double check our past tax returns just to make sure I had it right.

This is the very reason I chose my birthday as the day DH and I got married, to lessen the "Male Factor" of him forgetting either date. So far he hasn't. As far as the gift, I am so partial to Thinkpads, I would definitely suggest a nice used high end Thinkpad. There has to be more women geeks in this world.

Good luck, you are being a great husband for planning this out so well.

wearetheborg · #10 Post by **wearetheborg** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:54 pm

The xps 1330
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=127805

Looks smokin hot !!!

Price will be around $1500 with a 3 year warranty.

Mod edit: Please add your location to your profile!

sugo · #11 Post by **sugo** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:06 pm

Isn't the XPS 1330 backordered for weeks?

mattbiernat · #12 Post by **mattbiernat** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:23 pm

sugo wrote:A white MacBook? As much as thinkpads work well for business users, MacBooks are also well made products that are also appealing in look.

before you get a macbook make sure you thoroughly inspect it insde a store. personally after getting an ibook from apple im never going mac.

wearetheborg · #13 Post by **wearetheborg** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:53 pm

sugo wrote:Isn't the XPS 1330 backordered for weeks?

Thinkpads are backorderd too

I did not know about this, but still, it looks so pretty....

acasto · #14 Post by **acasto** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:57 pm

Well, she started catching on to what I was doing, so I went ahead and brought her on board to get her input. I was surprised that she thought the Mac looked nice, but seemed like she actually preferred a Thinkpad. Actually, she said anything would work; but when specs aren't really a big deal, it seems that there isn't much more than maybe a few hundred bucks difference between a cheap off the shelf system and a quality one like a Thinkpad. She even said she has no problem waiting for one if it I thought it was a better system. She said we could even wait until after our dentist appointments next month, just to make sure (I haven't been in four years

) , but when it comes to thing like this, that's what American Express is for

Plus, I could live without a tooth, but probably not without my laptop. As long as I don't need to chew my coffee, I'm good.

Okay, back to the task at hand. I had a broken Toshiba M35 here that a customer let me keep since it wasn't worth fixing. It's a 15.4" wide screen, and she didn't really like it's weight or size (or flimsy screen and stuff). She likes my 15" T60p, but thought even it was a little big. So I figure ether a 14.1" T60/T61 (how's the R60/61?) an X60, or Macbook. Though an X60 does look enticing, isn't 12.1" a bit small? Maybe it's just cause I'm used to the 15".

I thought she might like the Mac since it is different and looks good, but she says she wouldn't mind having matching or similar laptops. Oddly, the reason I thought the Mac looked nice is quite opposite from a PC. Where a Mac seems to have a reputation to just work and do things out of the box, I can work on a PC and it's software. But then again, I guess even Mac can break also. (Until they switched to Intel, I just assumed it was alien technology or something.) I use Debian linux on my laptop for day-to-day stuff, and can handle Windows pretty well; would OS X be difficult to pick up?

So, concerning Thinkpads, here's a few more questions I have:

* A 14.1" T60 or 61 would work with my advanced dock and stuff wouldn't it? I figured we could even get hers with just a cd-rw/dvd-rom and if she ever needed to burn a DVD she could just swap with my drive. (The only DVDs I've burnt was the recovery disc).

* How's the R60/61? Right now it look like the starting price is only about $90 difference, which would definitely be worth it for compatibility between our accessories.

* In terms of quality and rigidity, does the LCD roll-cage on the new models make a big difference, over say a 14.1" T60? (I've heard the 14.1" T60 is a bit more solid than the 15"/15.4" simply because size)

* Is there an existing thread (I'm going to search a bit more here in a minute) or does anyone have advise for buying something like this off eBay?

* Is the lead time on something like the T61 just for different configurations, or does even a simple base system have a long wait? Since their website seems a bit psycho lately, would it be worth it to just call them up and see what they have laying around? Since I'm not looking for any particular specs, I figured maybe they'd have something.

Thanks for all the help!!!

#15 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:01 pm

The X is indeed small -- but that's one of the benefits.

And the XGA screen is generally plenty for web browsing, if that'll be one of the main things she does with it. But since she's now in the loop, maybe you should get her to take a look at a 12" notebook to see whether it's too big, too small or just right!

Once you have narrowed down your model search, it's worthwhile also checking the various Thinkpad resellers who often have stock and sometimes very good deals on preconfigured models. You might find some very nice T60 and X60 prices, for example.

acasto · #16 Post by **acasto** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:53 pm

Okay, we finally decided on one and actually got it yesterday. She ended up going with the Macbook (2Ghz Core2, 1G ram, 80G hd). We took mattbiernat's advice, and went down to Compusa (I was worried from some of the stories I've heard, but it was actually a pretty pleasant experience) and checked out the Macs they had. She had never messed with one before, and just really liked them. Since she's primarily going to be using it for writing, I went ahead and installed Scrivener, which so far she's totally loving. As far as figuring out how to use it, it hasn't been bad at all. Since I use mostly Linux, if I couldn't figure out something from the gui, firing up a terminal I could usually get it fixed. And being familiar with shell scripting and most of the open source software that has OSx ports, it shouldn't be a problem finding free or cheap alternatives to most of the high priced software out there as well. I think it will be especially easy for her since this is her first laptop she's ever used. I could see though where it would be troublesome for someone to switch from a PC to a Mac. I didn't figure out where the menu bars for the programs went until this morning

#17 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:20 pm

tomh009 wrote:The X is indeed small -- but that's one of the benefits. And the XGA screen is generally plenty for web browsing, if that'll be one of the main things she does with it. But since she's now in the loop, maybe you should get her to take a look at a 12" notebook to see whether it's too big, too small or just right!

As hard as it is to believe, a MacBook's 13.3" widescreen LCD is actually nearly 1" shorter (smaller, stouter) than an X40/X41/X60/X61 12.1" LCD. It is also nearly 2" wider, but height matters when working with most software other than spreadsheets and DVD watching or movie production.

While 13.3" sounds much bigger than 12.1", it's actually less than 5 square inches bigger overall. As a further comparison, a 13.3" LCD is 21 square inches smaller overall than a standard 14.1" LCD and 2" shorter!

The same widescreen vs. standard (4:3 ratio) math explains why that new 40" LCD doesn't seem so big in the living room!

mattbiernat · #18 Post by **mattbiernat** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:41 pm

(I haven't been in four years

)
im getting off topic here but since you mentioned this. i would highly recommand you see a dentist [censored] soon as possible. i got one root canal only after not seeing a dentist for 2 years (and second root canal was on the way). the cost of one root canal is at least one 4-6 hour visit plus $1.5k.

What should I get my wife?

What should I get my wife?

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