Elitebook vs Thinkpad W vs Dell Precision

[g1981c]

since Thinkpad doesn't seem to offer RGB IPS display and both Dell and HP do offer it i probably won't be getting the Thinkpad ...

but in any case how do they compare in terms of build quality, keyboard quality etc ?

i used to have a Thinkpad T20 like 12 years ago and it was awesome ... i wonder if Lenovo quality is as high as IBM Thinkpad was ?

and how about Dell and HP - are they built equally well ? or are they cheap plastic ?

i don't necessarily require materials like magnesium etc, but i would like to know if they're there because it helps explain the price.

???

 

[dawza]

To make sure we're on the same page:

Thinkpads = the real Thinkpads, i.e. the T4/5XX, X2XX, and W series for business use
HP = Elitebooks
Dell = Latitude E6XXX and the Precision line

And below is all IMO:

Build quality: Thinkpads = Elitebooks > Latitudes
Hinges: Thinkpads slightly > Latitudes slightly > Elitebooks; essentially a wash
KB: Thinkpads >> Elitebooks > Latitudes
Trackpoint: Thinkpads >>> Elitebooks = Latitudes
Support: Thinkpads = Elitebooks > Latitudes (default mail-in warranties)

Note that Elitebooks and Latitudes come with 3-year warranties by default, while Thinkpads are only 1-year (you can add on with all).

I am reliant upon trackpoints, so that makes Thinkpads the default for me. If you absolutely need the RGB IPS panel, and it's a decision between the Elitebooks and Latitudes, I lean towards the former, but would be perfectly happy with the latter (especially because Latitudes tend to offer steep discounts for CTO, while HP seems to actively discourage individual CTO purchases by virtue of outrageous pricing).

 

[g1981c]

To make sure we're on the same page:

Thinkpads = the real Thinkpads, i.e. the T4/5XX, X2XX, and W series for business use
HP = Elitebooks
Dell = Latitude E6XXX and the Precision line

And below is all IMO:

Build quality: Thinkpads = Elitebooks > Latitudes
Hinges: Thinkpads slightly > Latitudes slightly > Elitebooks; essentially a wash
KB: Thinkpads >> Elitebooks > Latitudes
Trackpoint: Thinkpads >>> Elitebooks = Latitudes
Support: Thinkpads = Elitebooks > Latitudes (default mail-in warranties)

Note that Elitebooks and Latitudes come with 3-year warranties by default, while Thinkpads are only 1-year (you can add on with all).

I am reliant upon trackpoints, so that makes Thinkpads the default for me. If you absolutely need the RGB IPS panel, and it's a decision between the Elitebooks and Latitudes, I lean towards the former, but would be perfectly happy with the latter (especially because Latitudes tend to offer steep discounts for CTO, while HP seems to actively discourage individual CTO purchases by virtue of outrageous pricing).

i wasn't looking at Dell Latitude Laptops, but rather at Dell Precision Mobile Workstations. specifically this one:

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/precision-m4700/pd

i also noticed HP Elitebook prices seem ridiculous unless you order a pre-configured model.

 

[EvanAdams]

I have a T500 and my partner has an Elitebook. I have found my T500 full of bloatware and it runs slow. Today we are looking at new Elitebooks for both of us but the new T430s looks nice. But we are both worried about the keyboards. We both want our old keyboards back.

 

[akugami]

Got my T430 in. Typing is pretty good. I still am getting used to it but it has been the best modern laptop keyboard I've used. Still takes a little getting used to. I don't have much experience typing on the older Thinkpad keyboards though so I can't make a direct comparison.

 

[weovpac]

The new Thinkpad keyboards, are regarded by all the reviews I've read to be good. Much better than others manufactures using the same style. I too want the old keyboard back. Not so much because of the new style[have not used it]. The new layout sucks!

 

[sgrinavi]

I have a lenovo W500 a couple of Dell M4x00's and a m6600 & a Dell E6520 - I really don't see much of a difference in build quality between the W500 & the M's, with the E being slightly cheaper. I don't think you can go wrong with either Workstation class system.

 

[Plester]

Despite not being interested in the dell - here is an fyi on the high end latitudes, they are essentially a precision in a different shell. I edit video for work and so every two years am in the market for the same type of laptop that you are interested in. I have had the last 2 generations of the latitude 6x series both of which had fhd 1920x screens, quad cores, and quadro graphics. My current machine has a 2760QM. I put in 8 gig of ram and i moved my ssd into it, they have expresscard slots so I can run esata enclosures for media storage. I paid $700 for it with a 20% off coupon for the outlet store. They represent tremendous values.

 

[Phynaz]

Displays on the Elitebooks are absolute trash. Trust me, I've had several.

 

[Mide]

Lenovo's Thinkpads aren't as good as the hayday of IBM's Thinkpads although there are just some minor differences that pertain to this quality rating. I'm using a T410 and it's still great....just not as good as my T41 or X31 from the old days. I don't like HPs so can't say much for those. I have a Latitude for work and it is just heavy and flimsy compared to my Thinkpad.

The new X230 can come with an IPS panel I believe so that may be something to look at. Haven't tried out their new island keyboard though.

 

[g1981c]

Despite not being interested in the dell - here is an fyi on the high end latitudes, they are essentially a precision in a different shell. I edit video for work and so every two years am in the market for the same type of laptop that you are interested in. I have had the last 2 generations of the latitude 6x series both of which had fhd 1920x screens, quad cores, and quadro graphics. My current machine has a 2760QM. I put in 8 gig of ram and i moved my ssd into it, they have expresscard slots so I can run esata enclosures for media storage. I paid $700 for it with a 20% off coupon for the outlet store. They represent tremendous values.

heh, too late. i have ordered the M4700 a few days ago and it has been "in production" for a few days by now.

where have you been before ? lol.

in any case, i don't think i would want Latitude over Precision. i just configured a Latitude with similar specs to the precision i ordered and it was only $100 less but came with 1GB graphics card versus 2GB and with 90W ac adapter versus 180W. so i wouldn't say there is a great difference in value there.

also, based on the fact that the AC adapter is twice the wattage i wouldn't say that it's the same laptop in a different shell. even though the CPU is the same i would guess that latitude would begin to throttle it sooner than precision based on power and cooling considerations. some dude on another forum just got an M6700 with extreme edition i7 quad core and he says it doesn't get throttled at all - runs full tilt 100% of the time even at full load. in daily use probably there wouldn't be any difference but if you tried to do a couple gigabytes worth of rendering i bet there would be a difference once it got hot.

i remember transcoding videos on a 13" macbook pro - the tiny fan sounded like a dentist' drill and the laptop was so hot you could barely touch it. to my surprise it didn't crash but it was disconcerting never the less. i would rather have a little extra thickness to the laptop and bigger fans.

 

[Plester]

heh, too late. i have ordered the M4700 a few days ago and it has been "in production" for a few days by now.

where have you been before ? lol.

in any case, i don't think i would want Latitude over Precision. i just configured a Latitude with similar specs to the precision i ordered and it was only $100 less but came with 1GB graphics card versus 2GB and with 90W ac adapter versus 180W. so i wouldn't say there is a great difference in value there

No worries, the precisions are without a doubt better built machines. The difference between us is I will only buy outlet laptops and only when the coupons are available which happens frequently. I will sell this machine in about a year and half from now and probably recoup 60% of the cost. The penalty going this route is I'm buying 6 month old technology...the benefit is my upgrades net out to a few hundred bucks.