On no, another what laptop thread!

[Moose.]

Ok, I'm in need of a replacement for my old trusty Thinkpad 570E. This was my second Thinkpad and I've had no problems with them in the past; so naturally I've had a look to see what they're offering and have all but decided on an X41:

www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=3WPF&fb=600

So to some questions. Is Lenovo what IBM is calling itself these days? Not heard of that name before And are there any other laptops I should be considering at this kind of price level (~£500)? Main factor is as small as possible, as I really don't see the point in a 17" windscreen monster the size of a briefcase.

Over to you

[littlegreenfairy]

I had a lenovo something or other for a week. This is what I thought of it:

[Kinky]

IBM sold the PC part of IBM to Lenovo 2 years ago.

Contrary to belief - there has been no degradation of the manufacture of the Thinkpad in that time. For the past 7 years or so, it continues to be manufactured in teh same factory, by the same people using the same components.

Lenovo are the #1 brand in China and the reason for purchasing the IBM PC division was the expand to a global market.

As an aside - Lenovo are the IT sponsor for the Olympics (and have been for the last 2) and are also a Williams F1 premier sponsor - logos on the front of the rear spoilers and both sidepods.

K

[ThePassenger]

littlegreenfairy said:

I had a lenovo something or other for a week. This is what I thought of it:

Must admit I through that of the work issued T41, weird funky thing who's USB ports had to have a mouse plugged in the top not the bottom port or it wouldn't work.

[jamieboy]

Kinky said:

Contrary to belief - there has been no degradation of the manufacture of the Thinkpad in that time. For the past 7 years or so, it continues to be manufactured in teh same factory, by the same people using the same components.

Does anyone know what the non-Thinkpad Lenovos are like?

[Kinky]

There's currently 3 models available - the Lenovo 3000 C, N and V models.

The one that does for me is the 3000 V series - a stonking bit of kit.

If it was my personal money - it would be a toss up between the V series and a ThinkPad T Series.

K

[Moose.]

That's good to know Kinky, as I'm liked both my previous Thinkpads. Ok they're not the most attractive laptop on the market, but have never let me down. Anyone got any opinions on the X41 then?

[Kinky]

Moose - for your reference - it's a penny cheaper from Toye Computers: www.toyecomputers.com/products.asp?strProduct_ID=US2F8UK&intProdGrp_ID=51&intProdCat_ID=1&webcollage=0

I knowe it's only a penny - but look after them and pounds will look after themselves

K

[jimmyjimjim]

ThePassenger said:

littlegreenfairy said:

I had a lenovo something or other for a week. This is what I thought of it:

Must admit I through that of the work issued T41, weird funky thing who's USB ports had to have a mouse plugged in the top not the bottom port or it wouldn't work.

Got a T41 next to me...mouse in the bottom, working fine; intrigued as to how you managed that!

[_deano]

Get yourself down to Tesco and pick up a Gateway mt6825b, £499 and with Vista home. I bought one the other day as a spare laptop and i am very impressed with it. It won't play games, but for internet and word, emails etc it's great.

[ThePassenger]

jimmyjimjim said:

ThePassenger said:

littlegreenfairy said:

I had a lenovo something or other for a week. This is what I thought of it:

Must admit I through that of the work issued T41, weird funky thing who's USB ports had to have a mouse plugged in the top not the bottom port or it wouldn't work.

Got a T41 next to me...mouse in the bottom, working fine; intrigued as to how you managed that!

Not a clue. Microsoft USB optical mouse, bog standard. Must be plugged in the top port. That was a standard T41 feature and everyones laptop at work showed the same. Now an IBM branded optical mouse... that had to be plugged in to the bottom one or it'd not work. Unfortunately the IBM USB keyboard ALSO needed to be plugged in the bottom to work, so it was an either or situation. Plugging the mouse in the keyboard was a none starter, the laptop would either crash or simply refuse to see the obviously energised mouse.
The WiFi that won't connect is also a laugh.
The noise from the drive caddy was fun.
Ohh never, ever, EVER use the factory restore partition. It will wipe everything and leave behind the most unstable build of XP I have ever witnessed (it crashed repeatedly on the "make user account" section).
The wired network is sluggish.

And this is my experience of an IBM T41 using both the base build image used on site (which was IBM...) the restore parition and my own copy of XP Pro OEM + IBM's drivers.

I would not touch an IBM laptop (or Lenovo as apparently same people, same factories) with a 10ft barge pole. Now if Lenovo sacked everyone and started afresh just using the ThinkPad brand... I'd reconsider, but until then... not a chance.

Edited by ThePassenger on Sunday 15th April 11:44