Why you like thinkpad

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Param · #1 Post by **Param** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:06 pm

What made you to buy a thinkpad?

Trekk69 · #2 Post by **Trekk69** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:08 pm

It contained everything I wanted in a tablet at the right price, backed by many years of tablet experience.

#3 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:30 pm

Param wrote:What made you to buy a thinkpad?

I have had occasion to use different makes, and ThinkPad always comes up best. ... JDH

#4 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:34 pm

Based on my research and my own usage, ThinkPads usually have business features (rather than cool features) and I like that. I want my computers to work without fail and without problems. ThinkPads do that for me. .. JDH

Trekk69 · #5 Post by **Trekk69** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:36 pm

jdhurst wrote:Based on my research and my own usage, ThinkPads usually have business features (rather than cool features) and I like that. I want my computers to work without fail and without problems. ThinkPads do that for me. .. JDH

Good point, as a University student (and will carry the Thinkpad over into my career), I have appreaciated the 'raw' business aspect of the Thinkpad, sort of only the business essentials and no other unnecessary, clogging features.

Dead1nside · #6 Post by **Dead1nside** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:15 pm

I'm a student and I love that it's built like a tank. Even if I am getting tempted by some of their Ideapads and some of HP's DV2xxx series.

Thinkpads are timeless. The keyboards are the best in the business (Very important for any serious workload). If they just had better screens like the old Flexviews or just better than these dark and dingy screens that they have now - they'd be perfect... oh and maybe get rid of that windows key.

wearetheborg · #7 Post by **wearetheborg** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:12 pm

I want SXGA+/UXGA/WUXGA screens. Under $1500
That severely limits options.
Add on build quality and warranty, and the only contenders (for a low price) are Dell Latitudes/Precision laptops and thinkpads.

The older dell (pre D820/D620) were ugly looking. But with their newer latitudes/precisions, its a toss up between dell & thinkpads.
I have a slight preference towards thinkpads because of their looks, and because they tend to have more linux compatibility (mainly the modem, dell tends to use winmodems)

#8 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:32 pm

wearetheborg wrote:I want SXGA+/UXGA/WUXGA screens. Under $1500
That severely limits options.
<snip>

Before I added some spiffy higher-end options, my T61p Workstation came in under $1500. ... JDH

wearetheborg · #9 Post by **wearetheborg** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:43 pm

jdhurst wrote:
wearetheborg wrote:I want SXGA+/UXGA/WUXGA screens. Under $1500
That severely limits options.
<snip>
Before I added some spiffy higher-end options, my T61p Workstation came in under $1500. ... JDH

Yes, that was my point, that one can get thinkpads with WUXGA screen, discrete graphics, 3 year warranty etc for about $1500

mattbiernat · #10 Post by **mattbiernat** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:13 pm

unlike my previous $2000 toshiba and $1000 ibook, my $1200 thinkpad has acceptable build quality. not to mention that it's been running for almost 2 years without any problems.

TTY · #11 Post by **TTY** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:20 am

Param wrote:What made you to buy a thinkpad?

It is docking capable, has a bright, matte 14.1" 4:3 screen, screen contrast is OK. The notebook is not too heavy, the AC adapter is one of the lightest i've seen. I can set battery charge thresholds, memory can be expanded to 4 GB, a dvd burner is integrated. I like the ThinkVantage software, the internet support site for drivers and software downloads is very helpful.

bobbarker · #12 Post by **bobbarker** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:23 pm

X31 was small (my 17" HP weighs 10 pounds...), had enough power to do regular internet/word processing tasks, good battery life, it was a solid Thinkpad and it looks [censored] good

At $300 the specs and build quality couldn't be beat. It's not the fastest laptop or the best resolution (1024x768 ...meh) but this is the best laptop I've owned (compared against an ancient Compaq, a Dell (stolen, I adored that one) my clunky HP and a 10" Lifebook) and wouldn't trade it for anything (unless it were a 14" T61 with discrete graphics

).

ajkula66 · #13 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:45 pm

I've gotten my first impression of ThinkPads by having one assigned for use in the field. Loved the keyboard. That very same T20 is still alive, and apart from one dead pixel that popped up a couple of years ago, is in excellent shape given what it's been through. With all the ToughBooks and HPs that are "flavour of the year" for my employer, I still refuse to take anything else when I go out troubleshooting.

The other thing was tech support and warranty that I've gotten introduced through my first two personal ThinkPads - A20m and A22p which were not the most reliable machines in the world and had to visit the depot quite often, but I was extremely impressed by IBM's take on customer service altogether.

And when we bought the first new ThinkPad, an A31p in 2002, I knew that I've met the love of my life when it came to laptops. The FlexView LCD has left me absolutely breathless. And three spindles...and oh so powerful P4M 1.7 and 1Gb RAM that IBM charged us an arm and a leg for...but it was well worth it, that one had earned its keep and then some, and is still around, although not in our possession anymore.

Newer machines have left me with mixed impressions and emotions, but I still consider myself a ThinkPad loyalist. For how long shall I stay one, is really up to Lenovo.

Brad · #14 Post by **Brad** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:32 am

Without fanfare business like blackness.

Service: Easyserve, onsite, and ThinkPad Protection.

Parts availability.

Service information available online. For example ever try to get parts and service manuals for a Sony Vaio. I had no success and was very frustrated.

Brad

Puppy · #15 Post by **Puppy** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:54 am

The question might be rephrased to "liked" ... It is just frustrating. I like(d) ThinkPads because of build quality, useable keyboard layout, useable display (it is over now), small form factor without unnecessary thick screen bezels (it is over now), perfect design and good support.

It is almost clear there won't be anything better than T60 15" SXGA+/UXGA anymore. Even 14" SXGA+ will become a legend. Are we forced to buy second-hand notebooks only ?

Dead1nside · #16 Post by **Dead1nside** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:03 am

Puppy wrote: It is almost clear there won't be anything better than T60 15" SXGA+/UXGA anymore. Even 14" SXGA+ will become a legend. Are we forced to buy second-hand notebooks only ?

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... nkPad+T60p

Just scroll down to the screen comparisons with a Dell... you're right that was the pinnacle of screens on the Thinkpad line. I just wish they'd double the nits for god sakes. 200nits is nothing. Just because it's a business notebook doesn't mean we shouldn't have choice and usability.

dsigma6 · #17 Post by **dsigma6** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:49 am

I have no clue why I ended up with my first, a 600E. Absolutely no idea. I had an old Dell and an NEC before that, so maybe I just read about ThinkPads being reliable and whatnot.

kc7gr · #18 Post by **kc7gr** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:57 am

...I have to say that nobody MADE me buy a ThinkPad.

I CHOSE to do so because of several things.

--Durable! I don't know of any other machine, outside of perhaps a ToughBook, Dolch, or GEtac, that is built around a magnesium-alloy 'roll cage' for both the main chassis and screen enclosure. And I still think the plastic on the T-series feels like metal at first touch.

--Recommendation of a friend that I've known for over 20 years (he uses a T43).

--All black, all business, minimal frills. In short, designed to be a real working tool as opposed to a fashion statement.

--Exceedingly well-supported, both for Windows and for alternative OS's (FreeBSD, anyone?)

Happy travels.

j-dawg · #19 Post by **j-dawg** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:05 pm

I bought my first Thinkpad because my Dell broke. I bought my second one because of the good experience with the first. It has been completely worth it so far.

fkelly · #20 Post by **fkelly** » Sun May 11, 2008 2:11 pm

Some top notch tech rep was doing work at my job and I was looking forward to my first ever laptop purchase and I valued his opinion. He strongly suggested Thinkpads "don't even consider anything else".

well I picked up an A22 and I used it as a cash register for my Shoe Store business. A year later I picked up an A31 and used that for home. I had both for about 5 years and never looked back.
My biggest mistake (really) was finding this forum, which opened me up to all the latest and greatest models, and suddenly my "A" guys were no longer good enough. Current stable are "T's moving to X's".

I have a new Dell D430 for my job and it just seems so foreign to me. I seem to always be tweaking it to get it just right, where as my TP's seem to run on with no special tweaks.
On the Dell I generally use it for quick tasks and emails, etc, but whenI have some serious keyboard typing to do, I switch on the TP and bang away on that great keyboard.

Lastly, I didn't know squat about laptops and would always purchase the "onsite warranty service" and the guys that have come to my home to repair my machines have been nothing short of brilliant. I swear one dude could strip and rebuilt a laptop with his eyes closed.
I have never ever had a bad experience with IBM customer service (well one time they sent a pretty poor 3rd party tech who had to be walked thru a few things but IBM made up for the poor experience).

So, excellent customer service, a very good product and some very excellent online support (including this forum), makes for a computing experience I will continue to enjoy.

goodgirl · #21 Post by **goodgirl** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:54 pm

I need the trackpoint, I hate touchpads!

Sturdy built, good display hinges

availability of good 15" display in 1600 x 1200 resolution, can't work on lower resolutions

Nice tools, like access connections

iamdmc · #22 Post by **iamdmc** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:28 pm

I bought one because ugly is beautiful.

Function > Form

Trackpoint >> Trackpad

Belief in the product (having owned other TPs and tested the quality of the brand on many occasions)

#23 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:30 pm

Quality, reliability, design, top notch service, superior technical documentation (HMM's), fun to tweak/upgrade, ThinkPad cachet.

mattbiernat · #24 Post by **mattbiernat** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:51 pm

goodgirl wrote:I need the trackpoint, I hate touchpads!

that will be my next reason to buy a thinkpad. after half a year of struggling with trackpoints I finally fell in love with them. now i don't even touch a touchpad. trackpoint is much faster for me than both touchpad and a regular mouse.

AIX · #25 Post by **AIX** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:26 am

My first laptop was a ThinkPad; it was a deliberate choosing, driven by the <form>. Now I'm addicted to its black and neat design. Speaking of the trackpoint - I never use/d the touchpad.

Terrahawk · #26 Post by **Terrahawk** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:03 pm

I bought my original R40 because it was cheap for the features - I was originally looking for a Toshiba but all the ones that were equivalent to the R40 (NZ$480) were about NZ$200 more expensive.

After that, it grew on me and Thinkpads have become the yardstick that I use to measure other laptops mainly due to their well thought out simplicity and lack of flashy gimmicks.

philman · #27 Post by **philman** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:08 am

My first TP was a used 560x I bought in grad school in 1998. I did a lot of research beforehand and the build quality was supposedly very high. It was/is-- never had any problems and it took a lot of abuse. It is still working fine. I bought a used 240x in 2002 for the portability and quality build when it was time to have a more recent machine, and it was/is also flawless. I am hard on laptops and the IBMs last and last.

I also love the trackpoint and hate touchpads.
Keyboards-- best around.

About every three years I buy a newer used thinkpad just in case-- just picked up a t40 and it is a nice machine.

The only problem I have ever had was with my t23 mobo; just fixed it with some soldering and it is back in business.

At work they give me Dells, and they have always been iffy. Strange errors, tinny keyboard and a dreaded touchpad.

anthean · #28 Post by **anthean** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:46 am

My brother recommended Thinkpads, saying they were built like a tank.

Maybe that is a bit excessive, but my T41 was leagues more solidly built than the Sony I owned before it.

Secondly, the no-nonsense black carbon fibre chasis was a statement of honesty at a time when most other notebooks were made of silver colored plastic.

Superego · #29 Post by **Superego** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:52 am

I started using Thinkpads after an internship with IBM. I was issued a T40 and after a week I was hooked. I knew about their reputation beforehand but never could afford one (Dell was pretty cheap for a student at the time). The employee discount helped me get a T60 and I haven't looked back. I could care less whether the name on it says Lenovo or IBM, just as long as the build quality is still there.

Linux compatibility is the other reason I'll stick with Thinkpads. It wasn't a reason initially, but now that I'm Windows-free it'll be hard for me to switch to another brand.

A final, minor reason for choosing a Thinkpad is the look. The minimalistic look is drop-dead gorgeous....I'd wouldn't be caught dead with some gaudy, Lamborghini-branded Asus

.

jadmire · #30 Post by **jadmire** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:40 pm

Reputation. Ever since I got into personal computing, the word of mouth on Thinkpads had been more positive than for any other manufacturer except Acer and Toshiba's offerings. So when I went out and bought my first laptop in December 2003, I selected a refurbished 600e. Used that machine for nearly three and a half years! I ended up having not such a high opinion of the T30 (if I'd known ahead of time about the infamous RAM slot problem, I'd have selected another model), but I have high hopes for my new R61e.

Thinkpads aren't _pretty_, but their black simplicity is highly attractive in their own fashion. They look like machines you could actually get something done on. They're not gaming machines, but I've always thought that if you're a really serious gamer, you should rely on a custom-built desktop rather than a notebook. They're meant for work and it shows. (Of course, I think that my new R61e could manage Guild Wars, at least occasionally, now that it's been boosted to 2GB of RAM. We'll have to see...)

-Joe-

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