IBM Thinkpad question

[BMDIV]

Hey all....

I am about to start law school and they require a laptop...I know there are a ton of posts on here about which laptop is best but specifically I have been researching and I am leaning towards IBM Thinkpad r50 or r51. I have read articles recommending them but I wanted to see if real people found them to be good computers. I need it for general word processing and email...nothing too complicated. Thanks...

Tara

 

[aakerman]

Well if you have the money to spare the T42 line would be better than a R-series, because they are made from better materials.

 

[Belteshazzar]

I would usually recommend a T4x series since I too have one and love it. But if you are on a budget, don't want to spend a lot of money, and want something decent, stable, and reliable go for the Dell inspiron 1000. Unlike its cheaper flimsy older brothers this is a pretty nice notebook.

 

[xcrunner51]

don't get the Dell Inspiron 1000, they switched over to NiMH batteries to save on costs over lithium ion and its an extra $100 to get the lithium ion battery now, i believe. I think your best bet is to find a low cost T41 or T40 if you're on a budget or maybe a lowly configured Dell Latitude D600

 

[daddyo]

The Inspiron 1000 uses NiMH batteries, not NiCad. Huge difference. NiMH is just a few % less efficient on a weight/power scale than lithium ion, but much cheaper and safer.

Anyway, I start b-school this fall, and I picked up a T42 using the shareholders purchase plan (15% discount). I was on the fence between the Dell D600 and the T42, but I really only splurge on computer equipment, so I went with the T42. Either would have been good choices.

I would recommend the accidental protection plan with either. Laptops are definitely worth the extra insurance.

 

[BMDIV]

I looked at the shareholder's website, but not being a shareholder...I dont think I am allowed to use it...I am paranoid that it is a violation of some strange law or something if I do. Thanks for the suggestion though

also, if i buy a thinkpad that comes stock with 256 memory, can I buy a chip or something to upgrade to 512+ not from IBM? They charge a lot for upgrading it before shipping.

Thanks so much

T

 

[CombatChuk]

Don't listen to these guys, I have a Thinkpad R40 and besides my uncle's T40 it's one of the most solid notebooks out there. It uses ABS plastic for the chassis, but it's a much more solid plastic than Dell/Compaq/HP uses.

 

[thuned]

Originally posted by: aakerman
Well if you have the money to spare the T42 line would be better than a R-series, because they are made from better materials.

Doesn't mean that makes the R series any less durable. Though it means a thicker casing -> bigger + heavier.

 

[Frightcrawler]

I actually believe it balances it out. Since the R series' case is thicker than the T and X, it should be pretty much balanced in the durability category.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: Belteshazzar
I would usually recommend a T4x series since I too have one and love it. But if you are on a budget, don't want to spend a lot of money, and want something decent, stable, and reliable go for the Dell inspiron 1000. Unlike its cheaper flimsy older brothers this is a pretty nice notebook.

Then again, look at the G-Series from IBM. It's kind of like their cheap line so they're a bit heavier but you get IBM quality

 

[aakerman]

I still think the Ts are a bit more durable - they are also reinforced with platters of titanium, don't know if the Rs have this also.

 

[daddyo]

Actually, my parents were shareholders, and I had them get me the SPP ID number. You qualify for this plan if you own stock in IBM directly, or if you own any type of fund that holds IBM (i.e. Mutual fund, S&P 500, etc.).

Also, many schools have academic discounts, you might check to see if your law school (or it's undergraduate counterpart) has a deal arranged. The b-school I'm attending had an entirely different plan than the undergrad university, but both gave decent discounts, usually about 10%. Not bad, but the SPP was 15% or so, which was slightly better.

 

[daddyo]

Also, here's a link to the generic IBM education discount portal. You should definitely be covered under this one, if nothing else.

http://www-1.ibm.com/gold/portal/download/en_US25/91922/SLE.html

Discount is 5-7%.

 

[BMDIV]

Thanks for all the help...what do you guys think of buying computers from online vendors such as newegg.com or something....I have decided on either the R50 or the t42 but both are substantially cheaper not through IBM's website. What's your opinion on this? Thanks.

T

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

If you are to order a T42, a lot of people recommend going through Bill at thinkpads.com I hear he's an authorized reseller.

 

[BMDIV]

Ok..any opinions about which of these systems is better?

IBM 23746VU

Product Description IBM ThinkPad T42 2374 - Pentium M 1.7 GHz - 14.1" TFT
Processor1 Intel Pentium M 1.7 GHz
RAM 512 MB
Hard Drive 1 x 40G HD 5400RPM
Optical Device DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Display 14.1" TFT (1024x768) - 24-bit (16.7M colors)
Networking Gigabit Ethernet
Modem
Centrino b/g
Battery Li-Ion 6 cell battery
Average Run Time 7 hours
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 Year Onsite NBD

$1,755.00


OR

IBM 1831AHU

Product Description IBM ThinkPad R51 1831 - Pentium M 1.5 GHz - 14.1" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 3 12.4 in x 10.2 in x 1.5 in
Weight 2 6 lbs
Localization English / United States
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight
Processor 1 Intel Pentium M 1.5 GHz
Cache Memory 1 MB - L2 cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 1 x 40 GB - 4200 rpm
Optical Storage CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - plug-in module
Display 14.1" TFT active matrix - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 - 32 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom 4 Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Battery Lithium ion
Average Run Time 4.7 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty

$1,549


Let me know what you think Thanks

 

[eriqesque]

Between those 2 the T42 hands Down
also just to let you know the weight on the R51 is 5.7Lbs

 

[daddyo]

I'd say it's a tossup.

The T42 has a radeon 7500. If you are into gaming, that may disappoint. I really don't like the XGA screens on a 14" LCD. I think the upgrade to SXGA+ is definitely worth the price. The 23743VU has a Radeon 9600 (about 10X faster than the 7500) and an SXGA+ 14.1" LCD. Is that still in your price range?

Also, strongly consider the Accidental Damage Protection for another $100 or so.

Personally, I just purchased a 2374FVU through IBM using the SPP.

 

[stingygrrl]

you might want to consider the 2378DUU (T42) thru the discover card website link. It's a 1.5 ghtz chip and you add the extra 256 MB RAM yourself (often on sale for $25-40 after rebates), but everything else is basically the same as the 23746VU you have.

upgrade to the 3 yr warranty @ depot and it's $1477 + tax. Just did it for a friend.

That's even cheaper than the R51 you chose.

www.discovercard.com > Shopping portal > IBM

I got it on the phone thru a rep and used my amex card. they didn't care.

 

[BMDIV]

Thanks for the suggestion about discovercard...there are a lot of good deals like that!

About the 23743VU --I cant find any info on its specs or price anywhere on the net....can you post more info? Thanks guys. I am still a bit overwhelmed by all my options.