i'm so sorry for posting what every other person does here: laptop advice

[LtPage1]

So, a girl on my floor had an iBook that had some problems and had to send it in and there was this whole bullshit involving shipping where she lost it. She wanted another Mac, but just isn't willing to buy another one after what happened. She's also had some bad experiences with Dell, so let's stay away from them too.

Primary and only concern is durability, build quality, and MOST importantly: responsible customer service and the best warranty out there. She doesn't do anything more than word processing, internet, email, music, and the occasional DVD.

Thin and light is preferable, of course, as is decent battery life.
Thanks for your help, guys.

edit: i forgot to mention (and here's the catch, of course): all this, or at least the best possible, for under $1000. Anything less than that is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ionizer86]

Thinkpad T42. There's one on EPP for ~$1150ish, which includes 3 year warranty.

 

[LtPage1]

How about the R-series? The IBM warranties are the same across the board, right?

...will they really come to you and repair it on the spot for a year for $50 extra? Wow.

 

[ShellGuy]

IBM would be the way to go.


Will G.

 

[Trey22]

Another vote for IBM, they're expensive for a reason, they offer outstanding service/support.

 

[Trippytiger]

Definitely IBM/Lenovo. A lower-end Z60t should be perfect: tough, well-built, IBM's legendary service, and it's very thin and light. It is a bit on the pricier side, though; if you can't get a discount (Visa, Mastercard, or employee discount), look at the Z60m and R-series for something more affordable.

 

[Ionizer86]

Originally posted by: LtPage1
How about the R-series? The IBM warranties are the same across the board, right?

...will they really come to you and repair it on the spot for a year for $50 extra? Wow.

I have a 14" R series. Frankly, at 5.9lb, it's pushing the upwards weight of a 14" laptop. The build quality is no T either. While my base and my lid are solid, they don't fit together optimally, and there's a bit of creak when closed.

With your new budget constraint, I guess I'll have to mention the T42 on EPP for $975. Unfortunately, that one only has a one year warranty, and I believe, a smaller hard disk. I recommend buying some more ram, but another 512MB will bring that just over 1k.

 

[The Linuxator]

IBM here, I have an R50e and just love it, but as mentioned being made of ABS material instead of composite thay had to make it a bit heavire and a bit thicker than their T series counter part, but the $ 400 difference is definetly worth it :thumbsup:

 

[simms]

I saw warranty and customer service and I'm going to say IBM/Lenovo.

Get an older T40 with warranty, it'll run about $800.

 

[midwestfisherman]

IBM FTW! :thumbsup:

edit: BTW, I hate my Dell D600!

 

[jb20thae]

Why is there a girl laying on your floor?

 

[cheesehead]

The IBM R50e is a shade portly, but built like a tank. You can tell that some boffins at IBM cooked up the design several years ago, found that it worked really, really well, and have'nt changed it much since. (I know someone who owns one; they're nice laptops, and the best for less than 800$).
I love my HP NC4010; only 750$ at Geeks.com if you wait for a "green light special"; expect to wait 48 hours or less. It does, however, require an external USB DVD drive; expect to pay 75$ for one that can be run off the laptop's battery through the USB port. At 3.5 lbs., it's actually lighter than an iBook, and very fast.

 

[bearxor]

As said numerous times, if you'e not getting an Apple or a Dell and are concerned about customer service, it's IBM all the way. Pricey, but you get what you pay for. I'm not down on paticular models of IBM's, I would just tell he to shop around and see what she likes.

Post count +1

 

[deejayshakur]

non-lenovo alternative: FUJITSU

i've always thought the thinkpads were a bit overpriced. fujitsu hits that sweet spot with pricing/quality and design. order thru portableone.com and you will really get personalized service. (no i don't work for portableone).

 

[mehmetmunur]

Another vote for the IBM. I have an X41 and it is smaller than a notebook, lighter than most of my books. I would go for the x40 since it is cheaper and has a little more battery life, X60 if you have the money. No problems with Lenovo customer service so far...

 

[Busithoth]

depending on how occasional that DVD-watching would be, I'd vote also for the X model, though a T-series is my personal favorite. Service is spot on.

 

[trikster2]

I went all out and got my sweety a T43

She does not like it:

No pizaz
Funky keyboard (does not like feel/sound)
Poor battery life (on the 15" with standard battery)

If you are going with a thinkpad get it directly from our chinese overloards, not some 3rd party. 21 day no hassle return.

Regarding dell: If she had a bad experience with the consumer side she might try the business side, with one of the new lattitudes.

She stops dealing with every company she has problems with? She's already won't deal with Apple, Dell, can't imagine what she will be using in 4 or 5 years..... an abacus with a pen and quill?

>>>>Primary and only concern is durability, build quality, and MOST importantly: responsible customer service and the best warranty out there


Yeah and your looks or size don't matter either........

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: jb20thae
Why is there a girl laying on your floor?

har. She's living on my (dorm) floor.

Update: the iBook was found, so she's happy and didn't have to go over to the dark side.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Overwhelmingly I find before and after I became a Thinkpad owner is the amount of word of mouth advertising IBM receives, even though their products are not mainly targeted at regular consumers. That says volume about them, and instills confidence in potential buyers.

Happy T42p/X31/X41 owner

 

[jdiddy]

Originally posted by: LtPage1

Originally posted by: jb20thae
Why is there a girl laying on your floor?

har. She's living on my (dorm) floor.

Update: the iBook was found, so she's happy and didn't have to go over to the dark side.

Lol where did they find it?

 

[gizbug]

Why purchase old/outdated technology? Buy an IBM with the new Intel Duo. Wonder why all this advice to "not" buy a laptop with this new duo core..............

 

[Tarrant64]

DId she purchase the Apple Care service when you got her iBook? Just had someone at my job whose iBook broke, he sent it back and Apple Care got it back to him within 2-3 days. Shouldn't let bad shipping discourage you.