IBM T42 or Sony A series

[Melanic]

Well, my laptop search continues, and I found two interesting possibilities. Please give input, any input, about either one.

IBM T42

Sony A series

I'll be using the laptop for general school use, like powerpoint, spreadsheets, autocad, maybe a little solidworks, etc... And maybe some gaming as well, mainly real time strategy. Also, I won't be getting a new laptop for the foreseeable future, so it's going to have to last for a while.

 

[OdiN]

Don't get a Sony notebook...or Sony computer for that reason. If you are going to get something Sony, get a digicam/TV/Monitor, not a computer. They do not make good computers.

 

[Melanic]

Are they that unreliable? I've heard that their monitors are pretty nice.

 

[darkangelPM]

The screen technoloy, is IPS, Toshiba, fujitsu, IBM, also have versions of this, all looking as nice. Ibm puts a anti glare coating on theirs.

Here is a IBM

IBM R51

fujitsu

Fujitsu LifeBook C2310

And a Toshiba

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c...79&sel=0&rcid=-26367&ccid=1291021


Those screens are sooooo pretty. Nice nice. I too would steer clear of sony.

 

[OdiN]

Sony's monitors are awesome. Their computers though are not. Generally not built that well. I've disassembled and reassembled every brand of notebook and Sony's are not ones that I like to work on.

IBM's are well built, but I hate the layout of the keyboard and everything on them...pretty unusable for me. I prefer the layout of the Dell 600m - the home/end/etc. keys are in a standard formation, most other laptops are not this way and have the delete key in some stuipd place or things like that. I can't stand those. But that's just me.

When it comes to laptops I recommend either Dell, IBM, or Toshiba and the Toshibas you need to make sure to get the good models some of them aren't that great.

I've heard good things about Fujitsu but haven't used them much personally so I can't really recommend them or say anything bad about them.

 

[Melanic]

Ah, alright then.

I guess i'll look into the IBM computers some more then. Does the T42 that I linked earlier also have the same screen as that R51? From the description, it seems to be the same.

Also, whats the opinion on pure tablets? are they worth while for my needs, or should I just get a standard laptop.

Thanks.

 

[darkangelPM]

Here is a T series with a IPS screen, UXGA. What your looking for in the specs is this:

Graphics type UXGA IPS

Anything with the "ips" at the end is going to be your sonyesque screen.

Snazzy IBM tseries

I would steer clear of tablets, but thats just me, it looks like you are looking Autocad etc.. A tablet would be underpowered for those uses.

 

[Melanic]

Oh, thats quite expensive.

Thanks for tell me what to look for tho. And I guess i'll forget the tablet idea as well.

 

[jmalm]

IBM T42 far superior notebook quality and performance wise.

 

[nortexoid]

the two notebooks you mentioned aren't even really similar. strange that u'd be choosing between the two.

anyway, i was notebook shopping for quite some time, and my favorite, though too expensive for my taste, were the fujitsu lifebook series notebooks. they seem to be a hell of a lot more popular in asia than north america, where ibm seems to be the most favored.

the glossy screen technology they use is very very nice compared to regular LCDs.

 

[rncmishawaii]

Hi, I am also looking in to a laptop with IPS technology. You stated that the two above mentioned laptops aren't really comparable. Were you speaking of IBM t42 and t51? Are they that different? I don't know a whole lot about computers.
Thanks!

 

[paranoidandroid]

something i'd like to add...i saw a sony laptop once. it was left on to do some processor intensive stuff. when the owner came back a day later to check on it, part of the case had warped b/c of heat. i btw, own an ibm t40. have to say, it is probably the best computer investment i've ever made. 1400x1050 screen is amazing. i hear the new screens are even better, almost CRT quality.

 

[jeffbui]

Originally posted by: rncmishawaii
Hi, I am also looking in to a laptop with IPS technology. You stated that the two above mentioned laptops aren't really comparable. Were you speaking of IBM t42 and t51? Are they that different? I don't know a whole lot about computers.
Thanks!

He was referring to the Sony A series and the IBM T series. The T series is a business class thin & light notebook with a smaller form factor and the Sony A series is a desktop replacement size notebook that is much larger / heavier with a larger screen. IBM T series : ~4-5 lbs vs Sony A series: 8-9 lbs.

You mentioned the T51, however I believe you're referring to the R51 as there is no T51. The R series are IBM's mainstream notebooks. The significant differences between it and the T series are the size (the T series is much thinner and lighter. It's IBMs flagship model) and the addition of a firewire port on some models on the R series. All the 15" 1400x1050 or 1600x1200 screens, whether they're on the T series or R series are IPS screens. The 14" screens and the 1024x768 15" screens are not IPS screens. Just look for IPS or Flexview in the item descriptions. The price difference between the T and R is roughly around $400 more for the T, identically configured.

 

[vulcan125]

Definitely the Thinkpad t42. I recently purchased a t42 2378 fvu and have been very satisfied with my purchase. The screen is great, the battery life is close to 4.5 hours with some power management features, and the design is amazing. The keyboard was amazing as is the dual pointing devices. Mine came equipped with a 14.1" sxga+ (1400 x 1050 res) lcd, an ati radeon mobility 9600, and a pentium m 735 17 ghz processor. IBM's are a bit pricy when compared with other brands, but their support and overall build quality are well worth the cost. I mean, where else can you call support at 12:32 am on a sunday night and speak with knowledgeable, english speaking tech support within the U.S.? I purchased mine for college and fully expect it to last for 4 years and beyond.

Good luck in your search!!

 

[Melanic]

So, I did some poking around at my school and apparently they're going to have some IBM's that have an educational discount. Tho I don't know which models they will have. Guess I have to wait and see.

the two notebooks you mentioned aren't even really similar. strange that u'd be choosing between the two.

I just compaired the two because of similar price. Not so much on size or features, tho they are both quite well equiped in my opinion.

All the 15" 1400x1050 or 1600x1200 screens, whether they're on the T series or R series are IPS screens

Are you sure about that? Because when I was looking at the various models there were specific ones that said "IPS" And they were typically on the much more expensive T42p series.

 

[Geeyoff]

Originally posted by: OdiN
When it comes to laptops I recommend either Dell, IBM, or Toshiba and the Toshibas you need to make sure to get the good models some of them aren't that great.

Really? Which models are the better (or the worse) ones? That is, can it all be summed up in general terms, like, for instance, "Satellites are cheap, Tecras are nice," or is it more specific than that?

--Geeyoff