IBM notebook comparisons

[SKC]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for a new notebook and it seems the general consensus is that the IBM T series is the best engineered. There hasn't been much discussion on its other lines of notebooks- A, T, G, R and X; I was wondering if anyone who was familiar with these could provide some information. I know the X series is the ultralight, but that's about it..

I'm looking specifically for something thin and light-- as portable as possible-- but with an optical drive.

Thanks!

SK

 

[Biggs]

Try the new R50, it's thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

 

[UltraWide]

X-series is the most portable w/o optical.
T-series is the next most portable + optical.

Go to the IBM site they have size/dimension descriptions.

 

[GoSharks]

the x series is pretty much the same as the t in quality - just a tad smaller.

 

[sciencewhiz]

X and T have metal cases, the A, G, and R have plastic cases. However, even the plastic cases are very solid. It really comes down to weigh, and included drives. If you need both a floppy and a optical, you don't want either an X or a T.

 

[CombatChuk]

Right now I'm typing on a IBM Thinkpad R40. Even though the frame of the this notebook is plastic. It is by far the most sturdiest notebook I have ever used. The R40 is a decent price too for what you get. The one I got has

1.3 GHz Pentium-M
256MB of RAM
15" XGA with ATI Mobility 7500 32MB
DVD/CD-RW
40GB Drive
Centrino Wi-Fi
Trackpoint and Touchpad
A little light on the top to light up the keyboard
all this for 1,400 with free shipping
Windows XP Professional

Then I went to crucial and ordered and extra 256MB
for 50 Bucks...

This system flies...

 

[SKC]

thanks for all the replies--

I did go to the IBM site earlier and looked at the dimensions; I was looking also for people's experiences with the different lines. The specifications from a site can only tell you so much; a notebook can have the best dimensions on paper but if it feels flimsy/the buyer doesn't like it, that's what's important..

the optical drive is most important to me; floppy is secondary. Think I'll look at IBM's T30s; there are some pretty good deals to be had. Any opinions on those?


Edit: didn't see combatchuk's reply-- I take it you like your R series a lot. Did you order it direct from IBM, or go refurbished? Were you charged tax?

thanks!

 

[GoSharks]

fyi, the t30's are not as small as the t40/41 and last for shorter periods than the centrino/pentium m based laptops.

 

[CombatChuk]

I bought mine at Computers4Sure since my discount (5%) was able to be applied from there. The prices I quoted were before the discount. They didn't charge any tax (but I live in Colorado). So far the best battery life I got was 5:50 just surfing the internet with the 56k modem and the screen at half brightness. Even my friend who has a Toshiba M15-S405 (Pentium-M 1.4 with a Geforce 4 mx 420 all else the same basically) was impressed at the build quality and speed (The IBM was faster in games). After looking at the screen for 15 minutes when I first got it, no dead pixels. This particular computer was made in Korea.

 

[eelw]

A & G series - full featured desktop replacement
T series - business class
X series - ultra portable
R series - SOHO user

 

[JZilla]

Even my old R30 has a sturdy case imo. Not as good as the T40, but it seems very solid to me. No problems so far.

Take a look at the R40/R50 (preferably the R50, it's much thinner), T40/T41, or the X31. I wouldn't touch the A and G series with a pole. The A series is seriously outdated, and the G series (dekstop replacement) doesn't appeal to me. The T30 is kind of bulky, and uses P4-Mobile so battery life is so so. Rather a R50 with Pentiium-M than a T30 imo.

 

[SKC]

great info; more opinions are always welcome.

I've admired the T40/41 and R50 from afar, but that's probably the closest I'll get to one for now; they're completely out of my price range (looking for sub 1,300, with 1,000 being the sweet spot).

Something I've found interesting is that on IBM's ebay storefront, there's a quote stating that all graphics on the R40 series is shared; how do they differentiate between the integrated graphics systems and the ones with the mobility 7500? Do any of the R series come with sxga+ lcds (>1024x768)?

My target price range and the high price of IBM notebooks don't mix that well; I've considered other alternatives but I've heard of many build quality problems with dell and hp. One notebook manufacturer I don' t have much familiarity with is acer; specifically the Travelmate 800xci, which seems to have a good feature set, battery life and price- 1.3 centrino (wifi, at any rate; don't know if it's intel's), 5.3 pounds, ~5 hour tested battery life, cdrw/dvd, 64 mb radeon 9000.. the only caveat is the xga lcd (which, I recognize, is very difficult to find <1,400). This notebook looks to be a bargain at $1,200. Are there any opinions on this notebook?

thanks for your help :beer:

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: SKC
great info; more opinions are always welcome.

I've admired the T40/41 and R50 from afar, but that's probably the closest I'll get to one for now; they're completely out of my price range (looking for sub 1,300, with 1,000 being the sweet spot).

Something I've found interesting is that on IBM's ebay storefront, there's a quote stating that all graphics on the R40 series is shared; how do they differentiate between the integrated graphics systems and the ones with the mobility 7500? Do any of the R series come with sxga+ lcds (>1024x768)?

My target price range and the high price of IBM notebooks don't mix that well; I've considered other alternatives but I've heard of many build quality problems with dell and hp. One notebook manufacturer I don' t have much familiarity with is acer; specifically the Travelmate 800xci, which seems to have a good feature set, battery life and price- 1.3 centrino (wifi, at any rate; don't know if it's intel's), 5.3 pounds, ~5 hour tested battery life, cdrw/dvd, 64 mb radeon 9000.. the only caveat is the xga lcd (which, I recognize, is very difficult to find <1,400). This notebook looks to be a bargain at $1,200. Are there any opinions on this notebook?

thanks for your help :beer:

I am exactly in the same boat like you. I really love the IBM T series but out of my price range. My range is also at ~$1000. The best i have seen in that price range is the DELL I600M with everything that i want (~1.4 PM, wireless, 30gb HD, SXGA+, DVD/CD-RW....etc) but i really hated my earlier DELL I8500 which i sold within 3 days of using it and i really hate the DELL's newer plastic cases. So, i am a bit worried about jumping on the Dell again.

I have heard mixed stories about ACER, i would definately get a DELL over the Acer

 

[allthismoney]

The T30 is just as sturdy as the T40, the only difference is the T40 is sleeker (flatter) while the T30 is larger in width. But i'll go with the T41 as I suggested to someone else, becasue the added benefit besides the sleek design is u get the HDD active protection software + hardware.

 

[SKC]

thanks for the replies and advice, everyone..

I jumped on a Dell deal .. 600m; the price was good and it has the features that I'm looking for. If I don't like the build quality, I'll return it.. Gsethi, good luck with your search; if you want, I'll let you know about the 600m so you can get an idea..

--SK

 

[SKC]

OHH NOOOOES!! ..first double post.

:Q

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: SKC
thanks for the replies and advice, everyone..

I jumped on a Dell deal .. 600m; the price was good and it has the features that I'm looking for. If I don't like the build quality, I'll return it.. Gsethi, good luck with your search; if you want, I'll let you know about the 600m so you can get an idea..

--SK

You will be fine. Good choice...