Which ThinkPad?

[sketcm]

Hello there. I'm thinking of buying a ThinkPad, but am not sure which model to go for. I don't need much in the way of raw power or huge capacity, so it can be an older model. I'm looking for a crisp, bright display, great keyboard and rugged build, preferably in a slim unit. It's for Office applications, with everyday use.

Should I go for T20, T21, T22 or T23, or what about the 600e?

Many thanks for your help.

M

[stgreek]

If you want a 13.3 screen, go for the 600x which goes up to P3-650. If it is not fast enough for you, or want a 14.1 screen ( a SXGA+ maybe?) go for the T23. Plenty fast (the 1.2 Tualatin is as good as a P4-1.6), 16 MB graphics in case you ever want to play -lighter- games, and great upgradeability. Plus, the SXGA+ screen (1400x1050) has a LOT of screen estate if you need it.

Mind you, the 600 series is not lighter or smaller than the T series, although the screens are smaller. So if you think about the 600 series from size point of view, dont.

If you need something more specific, try to be yourself more specific in your requirement and we might be able to help you.

Stavros

[selvan777]

I'd go for the X20... look into it.

[sketcm]

Hi. Thanks for the replies. I'd like a larger display rather than a smaller one, and something with IBM's legendary build quality. I don't want to play games.

I read somewhere that the T20 was better build-wise than the later models; is this true? I'll look into the X20.

Cheers.

M

[JonathanGennick]

IMHO, avoid the R series. I bought a couple a year or so back for my daughter and my mother. I bought Rs because of price, and because I wasn't buying for myself. I've lived to regret it. The R40s I bought are way thicker than is comfortable, the plastic shell has a cheap feel to it, the screens wobble at the slightest touch (on my X, the screen is rock-solid stable), they "feel" slow (slow hard drive maybe?), going to sleep takes forever, and I've suffered through a few other problems as well.

I'm very pleased with my X30, and I think highly of the T series, but it'll be a long time before I ever consider buying any R series model.

Sounds like you want thin anyway, so either a T or an X. An X has no built-it CD drive. That might matter to you.

[Roland]

Crisp, bright screen? Large screen? Great build quality? Perfect keyboard? The best for your money you will definitely get if you look for a A31p.

Most of the "p's"(or all of them) come with the flex-view display which is beside of Fujitsu's Crystal View display technology by far the most impressive screen I ever have seen in a notebook up to now. And the A31-series comes with 14 or 15" screens with different resolutions.

Overall a well made machine and very robust...but definitely not very slim and a bit heavy (3.5Kg).

[dfumento]

Crisp, bright screen? Large screen? Great build quality? Perfect keyboard? The best for your money you will definitely get if you look for a A31p.

Most of the "p's"(or all of them) come with the flex-view display which is beside of Fujitsu's Crystal View display technology by far the most impressive screen I ever have seen in a notebook up to now. And the A31-series comes with 14 or 15" screens with different resolutions.

Overall a well made machine and very robust...but definitely not very slim and a bit heavy (3.5Kg).

I also own an A31p and today they are the best value if you want a Flexview display. They are well built, but they are heavy and not thin.

[MadeInJapan]

Depends on how much you want to spend. There is not much difference between the T20-T22, but when you go to the T23, there is a definite jump. I personally like the T22's and they can be got at a great price right now. Only limitation is 512MB of RAM, but someone here on this forum wrote about how it could be doubled recently by tricking the BIOS...but not sure how to do that. I really like the feel of the T22....rock solid and plenty of Thinkpad for most needs.

[JHEM]

I also own an A31p and today they are the best value if you want a Flexview display. They are well built, but they are heavy and not thin.

The A30p also comes with the Flexview display (it was the first one to have it) and can often be found for much less than an A31p.

Regards,

James

[sketcm]

OK, I think I've narrowed it down to either the T20 or the T22; are there any differences between these two in terms of build quality? Any other differences?

Thanks.