IBM exiting Laptop business. See-Ya thinkpad.....

[trikster2]

This whole thing has soured me on IBM/Thinkpads.

I'm with you alienb, there is no way I would spend 2 or 3 grand on a thinkpad, but a refurb older model like the T23 can be had for 5 or 600 dollars, solid machine for a decent price, as long as you do not "need" to game.

 

[WackyDan]

Well... After reading the release it seems that it will be treated like business as usual. It may take several months to see what they do with the ThinkPad line, but I'm betting not much will change immediately or even through year end of 2005. I wouldn't doom the ThinkPad as of yet folks.

 

[trikster2]

It will be business of usual until mid 2005

Then things will get interesting.

Of note, IBM did not sell out to the chinese company making the thinkpads, but to a competitor. I can see leononv making a lot of changes in how thinkpads are made, shifting production to their own facility in late 05/ early 06. So getem while they are good. Also an immediate "money maker" would be to simply slap IBM thinkpad on existing (poorly reviewed) Lenononv Laptops and make some $$$$ on IBM's good name.

Me I'm staying away from this ugly baby

Dude, I'm gettin a dell!

 

[eriqesque]

Originally posted by: trikster2
It will be business of usual until mid 2005

Then things will get interesting.

Of note, IBM did not sell out to the chinese company making the thinkpads, but to a competitor. I can see leononv making a lot of changes in how thinkpads are made, shifting production to their own facility in late 05/ early 06. So getem while they are good. Also an immediate "money maker" would be to simply slap IBM thinkpad on existing (poorly reviewed) Lenononv Laptops and make some $$$$ on IBM's good name.

Me I'm staying away from this ugly baby

Dude, I'm gettin a dell!

See Ya

 

[gdsqx9]

The company I work for purchases all IBM's for desktops and laptops. I talked to our IBM rep and he said that IBM will own 19.9 (or something close) percent of the company. Even though IBM does make there own laptops and desktops, they purchase many parts from China.

The rep said the IBM's will have the same quality but be cheaper to purchase. They will also still be sold through IBM.

Time will tell if it is a good deal or not.

 

[piasabird]

I work for a Community College and we purchase all IBM for laptops and Desktops. I dont really beleive IBM actually makes anything. PC's are put together from parts. IBM doesnt make the motherboards or the processors that are in desktop PC's for the most part. IBM has lots of employees overseas. Where they actually are made is not exactly clear to me.

Logistically speaking, it is cheaper to make computers in Taiwan or China. If almost all the parts are made in Asia, then it just makes sense to assemble them there. Probably cuts down on shipping costs and Labor costs.

Lets not be naive about this. Almost all computer parts are made in Asia. Many Taiwan companies now have plants in China. Asus has a big plant in China and they make top quality motherboards. From what I under stand IBM will still own about 20% of that business and are licensing their Trademark rights to the people in China. IBM will still own a significan chunk of stock in the business and may even plan on having someone on thier board to provide input. IBM Plans on buying lots of their PC's so I don't really know how that will make it a bad deal. IBM already sold their PC Hard Drive Business to another company.

Added:

IBM does not make the processors in their desktop PC's. IBM does sell Power PC CPU's to Apple. IBM also is working with VIA to improve their processors. IBM has also been helping AMD abit. IBM appears to be trying to help anyone who is in competition with Intel.

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: gdsqx9
The rep said the IBM's will have the same quality but be cheaper to purchase. They will also still be sold through IBM.

Well that sucks if they are going to be the same "quality". IBM probably makes one of the worst desktop computers you can buy. I'm not sure why their laptop line is so rock solid, but it is, and those things last forever.

 

[trikster2]

> The rep said the IBM's will have the same quality but be cheaper to purchase.

And rep's always tell the truth!

In reality no one knows what will happen. It is the uncertanty that pushes enterprise customers away, something IBM is desperately trying to combat with rosey press releases.


Ref:
IBM Could Lose Half Its PC Prospects To Dell, HP
http://www.techweb.com/wire/hardware/55300732

Sale of IBM unit doesn't mean ThinkPads will cease to exist
http://story.news.yahoo.com/ne...nkpadswillceasetoexist
But Lenovo is known for cutting corners to make extremely low-cost PCs, including some that sell for less than $400 in China. It will take big internal changes to adopt IBM's high standards, Reynolds says. And Lenovo is expected to put a lot of pressure on IBM's Asian suppliers, who are its direct competitors.

That can worry tech buyers. Most tech analysts expect IBM rivals Dell and Hewlett-Packard to gain market share as the deal unfolds.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I hope its a rumor. I think IBM is doing very well with the Laptop business. The Thinkpad is a nice looking laptop. I have been a fan of IBM for such a long time.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: trikster2

> The rep said the IBM's will have the same quality but be cheaper to purchase.

And rep's always tell the truth!

In reality no one knows what will happen. It is the uncertanty that pushes enterprise customers away, something IBM is desperately trying to combat with rosey press releases.


Ref:
IBM Could Lose Half Its PC Prospects To Dell, HP
http://www.techweb.com/wire/hardware/55300732

Sale of IBM unit doesn't mean ThinkPads will cease to exist
http://story.news.yahoo.com/ne...nkpadswillceasetoexist
But Lenovo is known for cutting corners to make extremely low-cost PCs, including some that sell for less than $400 in China. It will take big internal changes to adopt IBM's high standards, Reynolds says. And Lenovo is expected to put a lot of pressure on IBM's Asian suppliers, who are its direct competitors.

That can worry tech buyers. Most tech analysts expect IBM rivals Dell and Hewlett-Packard to gain market share as the deal unfolds.

Uh huh... IBM now owns 18% of Lenovo, and those IBM desktop sales reps will probably be working for Lenovo soon. Did you honestly expect those folks to say ANYTHING that might potentially drive away future business?

 

[Wooster]

IBM will retain its label name on their PC & ThinkPad product line for the next 5 years before Lenovo rebadge theirs. IBM will own about 20% of Lenovo Company after the purchase. IBM sell its PC & ThinkPad line for Lenovo stocks and cash. IBM will become Lenovo's biggest stock owner, which means IBM will have the control of company. Why not?

IBM Could Lose Half Its PC Prospects To Dell, HP

Even though IBM will lose some market shares in the US but will gain a billion more shares in China.

 

[Skypix7]

I'm not familiar with Thinkpad. Would a refurb for around $800 be good enough for my daughter to do video editing with Premier 7? She takes mini DV clips, currently doing editing on a friend's Ibook, but that's out of the price market for dad. I'm familiar with desktop systems but don't know whether laptops/notebooks have enough muscle to make video editing on a PC worthwhile.