thinkpad for a soldier in Iraq

[amdskip]

Looking for opinions on which one to get him

Requirements:
dvd/cdrw
wireless
play music with the laptop shut
40gb or larger hard drive
3 year warranty (where can I get this, newegg looks like 1 year, can you extend it directly from ibm or what?)
memory will be upgraded by me to 512mb to save money
case that is durable
decent graphics, likes to play some games
Sand is a major issue but power is fairly plentiful via generator over there

Thanks for helping out my good friend
Budget $1500-2000 max

 

[Frightcrawler]

Price?
If it doesnt matter, my answer is : IBM thinkpad T41p.
Edit: Link

It has the Fire GL T2, which is equivalent to a Mobility Radeon 9600.

Diverging a bit, but are you sure a thinkpad will be right for him? As you said, sand is a big issue, and you wouldnt want to ruin a 3000 dollar laptop, now would you?

I think theres some more rugged laptops out there.

 

[Frightcrawler]

I think this part deserves a new post.

These are some "rugged" notebooks I've found. They might be overkill, but...oh well.

GoBook Max
Amrel Rocky's
Panasonic Toughbook

 

[gopunk]

i just got a t41 and i love it but i dunno about sand... you might look into something built specifically for extreme conditions... i know there are some companies that specialize in it...

 

[aakerman]

according to a user experience I've read, a toughbook gave up before an ibm (t21 i think it was), on a trip to the desert

 

[Pandaren]

I usually recommend IBM, but I don't think a T4x series or any other business/consumer grade notebook will handle a desert environment well. The T4x is fairly well built, but there are a lot of places where sand can get into the case.

Look for a ruggedized machine like the Panasonic Toughbook.

 

[redpriest_]

Concur with the Panasonic Toughbook - these are really rugged laptops that we in the military use extensively; they're more expensive but they're very survivable.

 

[paranoidandroid]

didnt panasonic at one time advertise that their laptops were bulletproof? i cant find the ad...but i distinctly remember it. it was about 4-5 yrs ago...when the first mobile p2's came out.

 

[SgtBuddy]

screw durability...well..sort of...go for weight and size. Light Light Light.

When I was in the desert, I had my Compaq Presario. With all the fixin's that thing pushed 20 pounds!

Now I have a Sony PCG-TR1A. Very small and light, 7 hour battery life. Little pricy, but worth it in my opinion. Great for DVDs and strategy based games (the ones that suck up the most time for me).

 

[Frightcrawler]

Technically lightweight COULD outweigh durability (you can move it around quickly and easily), but accidents do happen...

 

[amdskip]

The thinkpads I'm looking at are like 6-7 pounds which isn't a problem.

 

[MillionaireNextDoor]

How about this?

Text

-MiND