Reccomendation for business laptop for dad

[bigben2wardpitt]

my dad needs to buy a business laptop and I want to find him a good deal on one, but also a long lasting reliable computer. I already got a microsoft office license. Other than that needs to be fast , big hard drive and wireless Internet etc.

And he wants to be able to somehow connect to a monitor, bc his eyes are bad and he got used to being able to dock his ibm into a docking station that hooked up to a monitor and keyboard. I am not sure a docking feature is necessary though.

Price range is pretty much whatever I want it to be. He had said 1200 or something, but he is flexible. I mean he will be going to many different offices and such so he wants it to be able to work everywhere. In the end this thing is going to be writing .docs reading PDFs reading and writing emails - that kind of stuff.

Thanks!!

 

[TemjinGold]

I would recommend a Lenovo T series. I use a T61 for work myself and while they do cost more than your average Dell, they are also way more durable and have the best notebook keyboard in the industry.

Being able to plug into a monitor and keyboard is pretty standard for most laptops these days. My T61 has a VGA port and any USB keyboard/mice will work fine (though this keyboard is as good as any full sized one I've used.)

Camp out some deal sites as Lenovo tends to do like 10-15% off 1-2 times a month. With $1200 or so, you can definitely get a nice laptop.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

yea i am leaning towards IBM. Also, which deal sites?

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

any other suggestions?

 

[ghostman]

I'd second the Lenovo suggestion. At work, we only use Dell and Lenovo laptops. I have one of each and the Lenovo definitely feels sturdier. I haven't touched a Dell Vostro though, so I can't comment on those. I use FW for deals. You might want to check out Lenovo Outlet as well.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: bigben2wardpitt
yea i am leaning towards IBM. Also, which deal sites?

Um...

IBM doesn't make computers any more - just software.

They sold their computer operations to the Chinese, e.g. Lenovo.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: bigben2wardpitt
any other suggestions?

Don't get a Lenovo!

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

any particular reason vinDSL?

 

[macenroe0]

Hi i read your thread and it is a great idea to buy a http://www.ehpdeals.com/]laptop[/url] for your dad and i would like to prefer lenova series

 

[TemjinGold]

Originally posted by: bigben2wardpitt
yea i am leaning towards IBM. Also, which deal sites?

I check www.hot-deals.org. Just saw a $100 off $900 when using Paypal but that recently expired. Almost guaranteed to see some sort of deal for them 1-2 times a month (about half as often as Dell deals.)

 

[Harvey]

If you can ask your dad about his preferences, ask if he'd prefer a machine with XP, instead of some flavor of Vista. On Lenovo's site, several models of the T series are marked down $300, and they offer them with your choice of XP or Vista flavors.

Hope that helps.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

Just because I want this computer to have some longevity, vista is probably the way to go.

and more specifically, vista business is probably worth getting.


the 15 inch screen is a must, but which of these is better if my dad has bad eyes?

15.4 WXGA TFT or 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT

how fast a processor would be efficient?

I definitely want a bigger hard drive, i saw 100, but maybe even 120 or 160. I would say 120 but the RPM is lower than the 100 gb and the 160 gb... so you tell me what is better the 160 with higher rpm or the 120 with lower rpm?
also, will any of these make a major weight difference?

For RAM, 1 or 2 gigs? Is 2 gigs excessive? again, i do want this computer to last...

I'd like to have wireless-n, just to be ready for that when it comes... i think the "Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN" gives me wireless-n capabilities...

will the 9 cell battery be any heavier than the 6 cell battery? In the "help me decide" info it said that anything bigger than 4 would be bigger/weigh more, but does that mean 6,7,8, and 9 all weigh the same? I dunno, i want this computer to pack a punch but still be relatively lightweight...

so, just asking for some suggestions here on customizing a lenovo t61

 

[TemjinGold]

For Ram, get the absolute cheapest ram config Lenovo will allow, then upgrade it yourself. They seriously rip you off on ram prices. I just saw a 2X2 kit for under $50 (might still be alive in the hot deals section.)

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

yea, everyone always tells me that but to be honest 80 bucks more for another gig (from 1 to 2), i guess I just find it easier to just pay for it.

 

[accguy9009]

If you will be using Vista Business I suggest you check out the Dell product.:thumbsup:

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: bigben2wardpitt
any particular reason vinDSL?

He is biased?

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: accguy9009
If you will be using Vista Business I suggest you check out the Dell product.:thumbsup:

Uhm... Vista Business is vista business regardless of what laptop it is on....

Why would you say that?

 

[accguy9009]

Your Vista Business experience will be enhanced by the Dell hardware. Vista was designed to run at its best on Dell equipment. Dell gets to pick the best of the Intel chips before other vendors so they always have the cream of the crop. Dell worked with Microsoft to develop Vista Business from the ground up.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

yea but dells computers last like 3 months. Plus, last time i checked, a intel core 2 duo 2.6 ghz is a intel core 2 duo 2.6 ghz, no matter what.

But, i guess it is true dell did work with them, but thats not enough for me to buy another dell.

anyways, back to the actual computer. any other reccomendations?

if he wants to plug into a bigger screen at home, he can just do that via USB right? Because we already have a computer monitor we could use, and i don't think getting one of those IBM docks is really worth the money...

 

[Throckmorton]

If he has bad eyes, he needs the WXGA. WSXGA+ is very high res.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

But i thought high resolution was better, so wouldnt he need the WSXGA+, or no?

also, suggestions on the processor speed, the wireless card, and hard drive?

also wondering, on the t61's, you can get a 15 inch with discrete graphics or integrated graphics. Discrete is more money, therefore probobly better, but what would you suggest in my circumstances?

attached below post for you to see some of my previous questions:

Originally posted by: bigben2wardpitt
Just because I want this computer to have some longevity, vista is probably the way to go.

and more specifically, vista business is probably worth getting.


the 15 inch screen is a must, but which of these is better if my dad has bad eyes?

15.4 WXGA TFT or 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT

how fast a processor would be efficient?

I definitely want a bigger hard drive, i saw 100, but maybe even 120 or 160. I would say 120 but the RPM is lower than the 100 gb and the 160 gb... so you tell me what is better the 160 with higher rpm or the 120 with lower rpm?
also, will any of these make a major weight difference?

For RAM, 1 or 2 gigs? Is 2 gigs excessive? again, i do want this computer to last...

I'd like to have wireless-n, just to be ready for that when it comes... i think the "Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN" gives me wireless-n capabilities...

will the 9 cell battery be any heavier than the 6 cell battery? In the "help me decide" info it said that anything bigger than 4 would be bigger/weigh more, but does that mean 6,7,8, and 9 all weigh the same? I dunno, i want this computer to pack a punch but still be relatively lightweight...

so, just asking for some suggestions here on customizing a lenovo t61

here are the processor speeds just for reference:

Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz 800MHz 2MBL2)
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) [add $50.00]
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) [add $125.00] [Popular upgrade] 37% of customers who purchased a T61 upgraded to this processor
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) [add $375.00]
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7800 (2.6GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) [add $640.00]

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: accguy9009
Your Vista Business experience will be enhanced by the Dell hardware. Vista was designed to run at its best on Dell equipment. Dell gets to pick the best of the Intel chips before other vendors so they always have the cream of the crop. Dell worked with Microsoft to develop Vista Business from the ground up.

Not sure you are serious or not, or if you read a line a marketing fluff somewhere.

Dell didn't work with MS any more or any less than Hp, Lenovo, Etc in regard to VIsta or any other MS OS for that matter.

Dell doesn't get any better or worse quality of chip/chipset from Intel than other vendors.

Stop spewing BS, or if you are joking, tag it.

 

[WackyDan]

bigben2wardpitt:

I'd go with the Intel graphics vs discreet. Discreet is a battery hog, and if your father truly wants a business class machine, he should stay away from discreet unless he absolutely needs better 3d.... That said the x3100 GMA is way better than the 950 at open GL, but that's not saying much either.

With discrete you can probably kiss an our of claimed battery life goodbye.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

thanks wackydan, that is exactly what i needed to know, graphics wont be too important for a business computer anyways, so i should be able to save some money too.

 

[bigben2wardpitt]

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
$1,229.00
System Processor: Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) 1
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Business 1
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Business - US English 1
Display Panel: 15.4 WXGA TFT 1
System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965 1
Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) 1
Keyboards: Keyboard US English 1
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) 1
Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm 1
Optical device: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim 1
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot 1
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader 1
Wireless cards: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro) 1
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord : Country Pack North America 1
Language Pack: Language Pack US English 1


What if I did that? I still could spend more, anywhere you think I need an upgrade? battery maybe (i'd like to keep it pretty portable, dont want it to be too heavy, and not sure if the 9 cell battery sticks up and raises the back of the computer or what)

Also, not sure which screen to go with, between the WXGA TFT or the WSXGA+ TFT - which one is better for bad eyes?

does a 160 GB hardrive weigh a lot more than a 80 gb or 100 gb or not at all?

guess the other question is, sense my dad wants to be able to plug into a bigger screen monitor and maybe a keyboard (probably just the monitor) do I need to have this laptop capable of being able to be docked, or will it be fine just plugging the usb cord of the monitor into the laptop, and having it displayed on the bigger screen that way? Both seem to be pretty easy and convenient...