IBM Thinkpads

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:07 AM

Good laptops?

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:16 AM

Ok a few problems in my opinion.

When connected to the expansion thingy, CD doesn't always work.

Why lame layout inside.

Appears slower than competiting brands, haven't managed to qualify this...but one of clients sales reps claim it.

Generally the "bangs for bucks" ain't good.

Pros....

The keyboard is way cool to use. Good feeling to it.

Nice layout for prolonged use, don't get that wrist strain feeling.

Big Blue help desk is usually pretty quick with an answer.

It's not a Toshiba...

Check out the dell models first...they are a bit heavier to carry around, but seem to be better value...

Am trying to locate the url for a comparision APC ran, they might have deleted it, was a while ago, and generally do this if they are running a new one...

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:18 AM

Okay, on a similar note, how easy is it to install memory in a laptop? Like all manufacturers they're still retarded and only have 128 standard. So if I select 128 MB on one DIMM which leaves one or two free, I could save a ton of money by using my commission at Crucial and get an extra stick.

Is it worth the extra work?

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:23 AM

Depends on brand and model.

Toshibas suck when you try doing this...notice the theme going there...

Check the manual, but will either be a panel on bottom of chasis, or slots accessable on the side. Have seen both.

Most good laptops will allow easy upgrade. If you have to first remove then keyboard to get to the memory expansion slots don't even buy it.

Will ask Ray in the morning for you. He has an IBM thinkpad and has expanded it to 512 ram, apparently very very easy...Psst that was the maxim the laptop he has would take.....

**Muddy** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:27 AM

kind of a small issue, but the built in mouse control really sux IMO (if they still use that evil stick thing for control on Thinkpads)

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:28 AM

Yeah, I hate eraserheads.

So Dell is the best for laptops? Good batt life and all?

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by filburt1
Yeah, I hate eraserheads.

So Dell is the best for laptops? Good batt life and all?

Not sure if they are the best, but seem to have good bangs for bucks rating. Best value we have found is Acer...not sure if they are just an Oz brand or not....generally are way cheaper but slightly behind the latest releases...

Muddy

Agree those things are just plain evil. Much prefer the roller ball thingy, (forgotten the tech name for them), but of course immediatly throw a PS2 mouse on them.....

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:33 AM

Acer got ultra crap reviews a couple years ago so I'll stay clear of them

**Muddy** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:35 AM

I used a Dell Inspiron for a couple of years (as did most folks in my company). Seemed to be good Hardware, but customer service was laking IMO.

One guy needed a screen after a month of use and it took over a month to get it. This was ordered after a month of ordering and replacing one part at a time till they found the screen was bad. End result = 2 months with no computer.

After a month with my LT, I decided I should have gotten the $200 CD Writer, so I called about ordering one. They said Sure, that'll be $480 ... no thanks.

Anyway IMHO ... good hardware .... lousy customer service

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by filburt1
Acer got ultra crap reviews a couple years ago so I'll stay clear of them

Hmmmm...okay.

As stated generally they are slightly behind latest developments, e.g if standard for laptop hard disks is say 40 gig acer will have 20 gigs.

How much are you looking to spend, and what will you be using the rig for? May not need the latest greatest $8000 rig...know l don't.

Check out the Dell Inspirion (?spelling) range, are our company's laptop of choice...i.e that's all we are allowed to purchase. Not sure who made the decision and what the basis was, but seem good solid machines.

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:42 AM

I'm looking to cap at $1,400. Remember that I'll be buying the extra RAM separately, and since I think part of my college will have a WiFi LAN I'll be getting a 802.11b card too. The major thing is batt life, it's gotta last at least 3 hours for normal word processing/Internet browsing over the wireless.

**Muddy** · Mar 27th, 2002, 11:45 AM

Toshibas are cheap. Seem to be OK hardware.

I know a guy that spilled a beer in one (flooded the whole keyboard ... I mean really wet) and it STILL WORKS!

He even powered it up while it was still wet. It didnt work then, but did after it dried out.

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 12:11 PM

LOL

Have found nothing but problems with Toshibas, floppy drives are crap, and no resolution controls....

Hmmm 1400 US would be approx $2300 or so in Oz....

not sure what you can get for that

check

www.ht.com.au they generally have a good range, you can get a much better price than they quote however.

If you don't mind pre-owned, check out your local PC reseller, generally the price is way down on the list price.

For anyone in Sydney, there's a good one in Lemon Grove Chatswood, that has good prices.

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by filburt1
I'm looking to cap at $1,400. Remember that I'll be buying the extra RAM separately, and since I think part of my college will have a WiFi LAN I'll be getting a 802.11b card too. The major thing is batt life, it's gotta last at least 3 hours for normal word processing/Internet browsing over the wireless.

Get a Dell (you can swear on your life that you'll never hear me say those words again) Inspiron 2600 or 4100 series notebook...with a 1 gig processor...concentrate on screen size and warranty more than you do features...since realistically you won't be burning CDs and playing Unreal Tournament in your classes

AND GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, trust me, you WILL need it. Dell is great (again, don't EVER expect me to say those words AGAIN) because they come out the next day and fix your notebook for you

You will have a desktop to play games on so don't worry about grahpics.

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 05:40 PM

Are Dell batt lifes good? This is probably the most important part, since I don't know if I'll have access to an outlet all throughout the day...

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by filburt1
Are Dell batt lifes good? This is probably the most important part, since I don't know if I'll have access to an outlet all throughout the day...

I'll ask my friend when he gets back online....he has an inspiron 8k..

His probably uses more power than one you would get because it has a GeForce2 Go, 2 optical drives, and an older processor which probably uses more power...

Best to get an extra battery though

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 05:46 PM

This look good? Keep in mind I'll be adding more mem myself (it'll save me probably at least $50) and a WiFi card, so total I don't want to go over $1500.

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:02 PM

looks good to me

How many PC Card slots does that have? And does it include 1394?

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:10 PM

Funnily enough walked into the office today and we have just purchased a new Bell 4100 Inspirion laptop

Way cool, naturally every one has been playing with the poor thing.

Jethro · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by jpbtennisman

Get a Dell

Sorry just book marking this for major pointage in other threads. have already posted Justin's details to Mike Dell

P.S Damn fine point on the warranty, get as much as you can Furby....up to 3 years l think some places are offering on extended, which should about cover the life of the rig.

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by jpbtennisman
looks good to me

How many PC Card slots does that have? And does it include 1394?

I'm guessing 2 PC card slots, but all I really need is one (for the WiFi). I doubt it has FireWire, but I don't plan to do vid editing/massive file transfers on this thing.

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:41 PM

No, but FireWire is one of the only ways to add extra storage without installing a new internal drive (And voiding the warranty).

You can get USB drives but they perform like ass...

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Jethro

Sorry just book marking this for major pointage in other threads. have already posted Justin's details to Mike Dell

P.S Damn fine point on the warranty, get as much as you can Furby....up to 3 years l think some places are offering on extended, which should about cover the life of the rig.

Warranties are very important on laptops I say whereas I don't consider them important on desktops because, with a desktop, if the power supply or motherboard or CDROM drive dies, you can just buy a new one, but with a laptop you'll have to get an expensive replacement from the manufacturer...

And yes...I'll be eating my words on that one about Buy a Dell...

**Gandalf_Grey_** · Mar 27th, 2002, 06:46 PM

see if you can get the operating system off, i don't like including an operating system on new computers, just install one yourself, plus OEM Operating systems suck, the first thing i do when i get a new computer is format, then i set the computer up the RIGHT way, i don't like the IBM since they have cost me alot of headaches, this laptop at school got stolen by a student, he was caught after he brought it back and used it in the class which he took it from

anyways he formatted the hard drive where special drivers existed that let the computer come out of standbye, IBM doesn't carry those drivers anymore and included no CD so we had to be extra carful not to let it go into standbye.

Tygur · Mar 27th, 2002, 07:38 PM

I've been using an IBM ThinkPad for maybe a year and a half now (supplied by my school

). I've had no problems with it. The thing even fell onto my hardwood floor and still works, but I think I was just lucky there. It must've landed just right.

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 09:53 PM

Filbo..my friend says 1 to 2 hours, but then again he has 2 optical drives, a GF2, and such...

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 09:56 PM

Ew, major suckage, I'll have to get another batt...

**JungleMan** · Mar 27th, 2002, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by filburt1
Ew, major suckage, I'll have to get another batt...

you'd probably get close to 3 hours though, I note the GF2 uses a LOT of power even while not gaming

But yeah always good to have a spare battery

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 09:58 PM

*looks to see how much more an extra batt costs*...

**filburt1** · Mar 27th, 2002, 10:00 PM

Hmm, not that bad, only $100...I take it that would about double the batt life...

Does it go in the modular drive (provided the drive on the low-end model is modular) or do I just swap it out with the other, in which case I'd have to shut down the system...

**Harrild** · Mar 27th, 2002, 10:13 PM

I've got an IBM Thinkpad 365XD w/ 40mb RAM, 2.1GB HDD, CDROM ext fdd. etc etc. Bought it for $1100 two years ago. The original hdd packed up last year and the battery as well but it's lasted. I just wish it had more ram, more hdd and usb. Other than that it's great for office XP, visio, project 2K and a few DOS games.

Oh, its running a very clean installation of W98 First Edition which is legit (i didn't buy any of the other software)

Yes i used to have a problem of it going into standby, but i've found a solution.
1. if it goes into standby while running off battery, it must be taken off standby when on battery power. The same goes if your running it on the power point. This does not mean, that you cant put it on standby, move location, plug it back in and take it off standby.
2. Set the battery alarm to 20% for warning and 10% for autoshutdown. Screw setting it to go into standby it doesn't work properly.
3. Don't try and put into the IBM software induced hibernation for the following reasons; 1. It tends to use too much disk space and 2. it has problems coping with windows 98 and above (i never tried w95 for i would then need drivers for everything then).

I'm looking at buying another, much more powerful second hand IBM laptop later this year, thus allowing me to put linux on the 365 and running it as a proper gateway.

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