Laptop Purchase Advice

[cparker]

I have a good friend who has had terrible luck with a laptop she got from a local retail chain. The problem was with their service and their customer support. She now wants something new. She wants something around 5 pounds, a 14 inch screen is fine. All she will be using it for is for internet/MS Office apps. She is willing to pay for quality/service. She could wait a month or two if it's likely that a better, cooler running processor might be available (core2duo?) but not much more time than that. I was thinking of recommending a T60 low end model with the slowest core duo cpu, xp-home, 1 gig of ram and the more expensive service package (come to your house). Something like $1100 at the Lenovo site. Alternatively could get the r60 low end Celeron M, 512mb for 700 or so with the idea being that it would be more "interim". Although, she can afford the T series. Another question, I thought she might benefit from the t60 with the 15" screen as she is going to be using the laptop mostly as a desktop substitute in her office. I think it weighs 1 pound more than the 14" model. Seems to me like that extra inch would be worthwhile considering that she won't have a desktop with large monitor at all. I'm not familiar with other makes (such as Dell) but am open to other suggestions. I have several Thinkpads myself and am more familiar with that line. Thanks.

 

[andrewbabcock]

T60 as long as she can afford it. If its going to be on a desk most of the time, a 15" screen would be best i think.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'd suggest a T60 15" SXGA+. The FlexView screen is amazing and since portability isn't priority, she can sacrifice the size. On-site service is great, but I must say their "standard" depot service is great too. Something goes wrong, you call, they ship you a box overnight, you ship it to them overnight (free to you), they fix it and ship it back the same day, you get it next day. If your needs are more urgent than that, then on-site is the way to go.

Dell is the only other company I would consider for on-site support. Latitude's come with 3 years on-site support with Gold tech support by "default," and the support is actually quite good. I don't like the Latitudes as much as Thinkpads, but they are cheaper.

 

[cparker]

Thanks!!!! Very helpful information. I was also thinking the 15" screen would be the way to go if it's going to sit on a desk almost all the time and get moved only a few times a year. But it's great to get some confirmation.