Any alternatives to ThinkPad?

[dr_st]

Besides if you want real work done then I can argue that all laptop keyboards are unacceptable.

I find the Thinkpad keyboards quite acceptable (good-sized keys, good travel, and a layout that it close enough to standard to be usable). The only thing lacking is a numpad, but I find that necessary usually only for gaming, for which I _do_ find the keyboard of a laptop, even of a Thinkpad, unacceptable.

[pianowizard]

Besides if you want real work done then I can argue that all laptop keyboards are unacceptable.

I find the Thinkpad keyboards quite acceptable

I think I actually type faster on laptop keyboards than on desktop keyboards, perhaps because the keys are shallower so my fingers don't have to move as much.

[ulrich.von.lich]

I agree with pianowizard, partielly.. I find desktop keyboards often require more efforts to be typed on than ThinkPad keyboards, but not all laptop keyboards.. It was very hard for me to type fast on the keyboard of a Fujitsu Lifebook P series laptop without making tons of mistakes.

I have a numeric pad in the Ultrabay Plus slot of an A31p. It's pretty useful when you use a French keyboard. (In order to type the number 1, we have to press shift plus 1)

[wearetheborg]

I looked at a T61 and the screen is just aweful

Yes. All current screens looks and will look like that - crappy TN panels. Quality has gone ... no options.

Thinkpad lcds have not gone down, non-flexview sxga+ screens have always been that bad, or worse. I have worked on T30/T42 SXGA+ screens. Reeeeeally bad screens.

I think the WUXGA screens are better.
I worked on a dell D830 with wuxga, and it was quite good. Not as good as a flexview, but still good. I've been also happy with my Dell precision M90 (17"), in terms of customer support. I recommend dell's business line. I do prefer thinkapds keyboard and buttons marginally (I'd pay 10% more for thinkpads). So basically it boils down to price.
Note that last time I checked in the forums, the dell D630 also had problems with their screens.
The D830 15.4" WSXGA+ screens seem fine however.