longest lifespan laptop?

Net

Golden Member
Aug 30, 2003
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I'm looking for a good laptop that will last me a long time.

what do you think about thinkpads?
 

WildHorse

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2003
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In my estimation a reasonable service life is 3 years.

I've had NEC & Dell notebooks, never a Lenovo, but I looked at them while recently shopping for a new notebook. This is what I gathered:

Lenovo Thinkpad quality is above average. Not sure who really builds the Thinkpads which the Lenovo brand name gets put on. Maybe Clevo or Compal or Quanta.

One of Thinkpad's attractions had previously been an especially good keyboard, but around 2007-2008 they cheapened the keyboard so that it flexes unacceptably, resulting in complaints. I don't know if they've now reverted to the good keyboard which had been one of their distinctions in the market.

The available options via their online configurator tend to be a tad below what I wanted, e.g. 5400 rpm hdd instead of 7200 rpm, other small things like that, which many will consider insignificant.

Thinkpads are priced high for the configuration you get, but maybe a higher level of quality justifies that. Can't say since I haven't owned one.
I'm awaiting delivery of a new Sager NP8662 built on Clevo M860ETU.
 

IlllI

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2002
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Originally posted by: net
I'm looking for a good laptop that will last me a long time.

what do you think about thinkpads?



something like that is almost impossible to recommend.

nobody knows what your needs are. for example if you plan on using something 8hrs a day 7 days a week, you should not expect it to last more than a couple years before things start wearing out. all depends on what you are going to use it for and how well you take care of it

 

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
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I have a Thinkpad T43 I bought new my freshman year of college. Since then, its been dropped 3 times, been in my backpack with no sleeves crammed up against books for 4 years, used every day for at least 10+ hours, left on all night constantly, beat up sliding around the trunk of my car, and still works perfectly. The only thing i've replaced was the HDD to upgrade the size. This has been a wonderful laptop for me. I have the 9 cell extended life battery and even after 4 years of abuse and no regards for tending the battery life I still get 4 hours out of it.
 

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
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now look at PhoKingGuy he abused his thinkpad as if he doesnt care...is that what you want? Warranty does not cover for any abuses. :)
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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I have had about 6 laptops since 1994. They included SoundBook, WinBook, Gateway, HP, and now, Lenovo. I have toted these puppies all over the world. My usual practice is to get a new one when new technology warrants. I give the older ones to my kids, and one has even passed to the grandkid level.

Eventually, they all wear out. The older ones lost their floppies, and CD drives, and batteries had to be replaced.

The two that have endured and are as good as new are the HP dv1000 and the Lenovo T60. I will probably replace the Lenovo next year with probably the successor to the T400.

The Lenovo is a tough beast and very reliable. Mine fell off an airport security counter and fell 3 feet to a concrete floor. No damage at all. (Since then I keep it in a neoprene sleeve when travelling.)

Like all things, durability greatly depends on how you take care of them. All things being equal, I will go with Lenovo.
 

IlllI

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2002
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i've read the build quality has gone down ever since ibm sold their pc business to lenovo. of course i have no way of confirming, but i've read some people say 'its not the same' as older models