best high-end laptop ?

[rh71]

Friend is an engineer and wants to go "all out" on a new laptop.. budget $3k. I haven't kept up... how's the Thinkpad T41 ? Are there any other good competitors in the same class for cheaper ? Toshiba Portege ? She's still deciding whether she wants a DVD writer, but she definitely wants at least a CDRW/DVDROM (cost difference?).

 

[Gibson486]

The thing now is it has got to the point where you could buy any laptop and be happy. However i can say that i quit fancy IBM's alot.

 

[NutBucket]

IBM. There is no other choice.

 

[RossMAN]

IBM ThinkPad T41

 

[thomsbrain]

i got my sager for less than $2500:

3.2 GHz P4 HT enabled
1024 MB Dual Channel DDR400
60 GB 7200 RPM 8MB cache
CD/RW/DVDROM
floppy
gigabit ethernet
56K
integrated wireless-G
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB
15" wide-angle 1600x1200
firewire/4 USB 2.0 ports
dual batteries

you can now get them with the 3.4 GHz Northwood, and with 2048 MB DDR400. DVD writers were maybe another $100 or so. Windows or Linux costs extra.

i don't have any long-term reliability reports, but for the 2 or 3 months i've had it, it's been a good machine. the downside is the weight and the ~2-hour battery life.

 

[Sid59]

portable or desktop replacement

 

[PowerMacG5]

What does she think of Apple? For 3k, she could get the 15 inch Powerbook with a SuperDrive, more RAM, backlit keyboard, etc... If she's willing to go all out, she could get the 17 inch.

 

[CombatChuk]

IBM Thinkpad, T41p for <5lbs or the R50p for 1600x1200 screen but 6.3 lbs

 

[pillage2001]

Another vote for IBM T series.

 

[BigPoppa]

Another vote for Sager. I've had my laptop for 14 months now, 0 problems.

 

[Biggs]

If I had that much dough for a new lappy, without batting an eyelash, I'd get the T41P.

 

[DaWhim]

won't go wrong with IBM T41

 

[Tetsuo]

Another vote for IBM

 

[Abhi]

Work .... IBM
Gaming... Sagers

 

[BaboonGuy]

get the laptop featured in this

anything less would be uncivilized

 

[Imported]

I'd get a 15" Apple Powerbook with SuperDrive. Then again, this is coming from someone who simply loves his 12" iBook G4.