thinkpad or vaio?

[thelittleprincess]

i have a thinkpad t40 - almost 4 yrs old. it has been good to me but now it's dying.

i checked out the vaio N250 but that's a bit bigger and heavier than i'd like. it's on sale at several places for around $750 to 800.

so i figured, if i end up with a lighter laptop (not those tiny ones, i want at least 13 inch screen), I might as well go compare thinkpad and vaio.

anyone have any recommendations? i pretty much don't want to spend over $1200, but would like a reliable laptop.

 

[TheStu]

What are you looking for in a laptop?

 

[Brainonska511]

If you don't mind integrated or low-end graphics, how about one of these two notebooks (Asus A8 series): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCo...List=N82E16834220135%2CN82E16834220136
They have 14" screens and are both under $1200.

 

[thelittleprincess]

basic laptop - won't be gaming at all. no need for webcam. don't think bluetooth is necessary.

i figure at least 1GB Ram with room to add if needed, DVD-R, USB 2 ports - i think I would consider these "basics" in laptops nowaday. Wireless. comfortable keyboard (my t40 keyboard is very comfortable to type on) Windows Vista. Intel® Core? Duo or Intel® Core?2 Duo. nice screen (such as xbrite on sony or the WSXGA+ TFT for ibm)

in my dreams, i would like this to cost around $800, but in reality, i guess i can look to spending $1350.

 

[Spike]

I don't know much about Sony's as we bought a thinkpad way back when and have never bought any others. The new T60's are very comfortable and might be what you are looking for. They can be had for around that price but the REALLY nice T60's come in at around $2k.

Go the lenovo's website and check out the T60 lineup (if the below link does not work) as they are having some decent St Paddy's day deals.

T60

 

[Treripica]

I've used a T60 at work for the past 4-5 months and have enjoyed it.

option Specs.
Core 1 Duo 1.83
1GB RAM
7200rpm 100GB drive
DL DVD-RW
Intel Integrated Graphics.
abg wireless(atheros).
No fingerprint security.

On XP, this system screams, but the screen resolution is stuck at 1024x768(unless you use a dock). If that's a problem, I'd consider the video upgrade. You might have to upgrade to the T60p for that. People don't emphasize this enough, but if you can afford a 7200rpm drive, it makes a sizeable difference in windows load times. Kick in an extra $10 or so for a hi-cap battery upgrade. You won't be sorry.

If you want Vista, tack on another GB of RAM.

 

[simms]

Why not get a T60 and be done with it? You were smart enough in the past to get an IBM.. .I don't see why you'd want to deal with VAIO's issues.

 

[Synomenon]

What issues are you talking about? VAIOs are pretty solid (most of the anyway). The VAIO C series are pretty solid and well built. They also have them for around the price you're looking for. I've read on various forums that Lenovo's customer service has gone downhill in the past few years.

 

[corkyg]

Of the two, your price ceiling will point you to Vaio. The T60 is a better machine, and equipped to the max, can exceed $2500. The problem with Vaios is their high usage of proprietary components. The T60 gives you much more flexibility as well as screen size/type choice.

 

[irishScott]

Sony is always overpriced. Good computers, but overpriced as hell. Go with IBM

 

[thelittleprincess]

i never had to use the customer service from ibm - also i only had a 30 day warrenty on my laptop b/c it was one of the express models. i wold hope that i never have to use customer service, but if something goes worng with my laptop, reliable customer service is ideal.

i figured that a laptop probably has an expected lifespan of 3-4 years, so i don't want to shell out a lot of money for something i plan to replace again in just a couple years. as much as i love my T40, i just can't spend another $2000 on a laptop.

I checked out the T60, and like the 14.1" screen but it's only available with the bluetooth or wireless WAN, both of which I can do without.

I also checked out the Vaio C240 and i can type comfortably on it. the 13.3" screen also seems comfortable for a small screen (i don't think I can go any smaller or else my else my eyes will strain)

i haven't seen any good sales on these two laptops though. At first, I was looking at the N series Vaios that have been recently advertised for $700 to $800 but they are a bit too bulky for my preference.

Thanks for the tip about the 7200rpm - I can't stand it when it takes so long for the computer to start up.

i'll keep searching on the internet and check back for more advice.

 

[wolfman11]

My brother in laws' VIAO has had the following issues in the last two years:
1) bad battery right out of the box, replaced (took like a month to get the replacement)
2) motherboard replaced (the first time) after about 10 months of use
3) hard disk replaced a couple months after the motherboard was replaced
4) motherboard replaced again (this time they offered to buy him out of the machine for like $600 since it was a 3 time loser, he decided to get it fixed - good news was it came back with a board that had a better video card).

Meanwhile, I've had an IBM A21m, which is still in use 6 years after it was purchased and an R40 which is still in use and a little over 3 years old. Neither with a lick of trouble, documentation is great and they are very upgradable (take my current R40 into which I've added mini pci wireless card (had the antenna but no card new), upped ram from 256->2048, replaced the 4300 rpm disk with a 7200 rpm).

I can't recommend the IBM enough...

 

[thelittleprincess]

the sales on the laptops changed after the st. patrick's weekend. The T60 now have more options on the customization - still can configure it under $2000.....but would be so happy if i didn't have to use all of my tax refund on this.

i checked out my friend's discount through his school - unfortunately the laptops all come with windows xp instead of vista on it.

i thought vaios were pretty good, but i'm hearing some negatives about it lately.

hey wolfman, do you travel a lot with your thinkpads? i lugged mine to and from school, so it's been roughed up a bit. Why the internal wireless in my laptop started dying is still a wonder to me. and even though my friend wiped out my laptop and started it over for me, it doesn't seen to recognize that the ports are USB2 nor does it like it when i install new programs. i just wonder if maybe lugging it around means i abused it so that it only lasted less than 4 years.

will keep searching - if anyone comes across a miraculous thinkpad sale, please share!

thanks again.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Spike
-snip-

Go the lenovo's website and check out the T60 lineup (if the below link does not work) as they are having some decent St Paddy's day deals.

T60

I bought my first laptop, a T60, during Lenovo's holiday sale end of November. Base price then was $894. It included most of the things you specify but that screen would be extra. I have SVGA+ 14". If you could wait until the fall you might catch a holiday sale. What's wrong with your T40?

Mine came with XP Pro (extra cost over XP Home), but XP Pro has a free upgrade to Vista Business. I think I pay shipping. I'm going to wait before doing the upgrade. I have enough issues to deal with right now. There's a lot of scrambling going on getting drivers and software to work with Vista...

Maybe you can do a system restore of your T40 to get your USB ports working and work out your program installation problems. Looks like your friend didn't restore your system properly. The wireless problem might sort out when you get the system restored, too. If you don't have hardware damage, I think you can get it working properly. I'm new to all this, and haven't done any restorations but figure you have some options to restore. I have a hidden restore partition on my HD. Maybe you do too. Or, you might have system restore diskettes. I made a set the other day. If you don't have those options, I think you can probably get a means of restoration from Lenovo.

I did some research when I bought my T60 and decided that 5400 RPM was sufficient speed in a HD for me. The 7200 RPM drives are a little faster, but not much. They cost extra, make more noise, run hotter and use more energy. I'd suggest considering a 5400 drive unless you really require the speed boost. Do some Googling if you need to consider the factors.

 

[wolfman11]

hey wolfman, do you travel a lot with your thinkpads?

With my personal Thinkpad I do light traveling, for example, to the local java users group, coffee shop, infrequently to work, etc. However, I do have a work issued thinkpad (t60) as well and I lug that around every day and take it with me on out of town trips with no issues.

Hope that helps...

 

[thelittleprincess]

Originally posted by: Muse
What's wrong with your T40?

well, the wireless started to die out about a year ago- i would get kicked off all the time. it doesn't even work now. when i go to Run -> type cmd -> type ipconfig/release, it responds that a system error has occured and that a devoce attached to the system is not functioning. i'm currently borrowing my brother's external wireless adapter, but it's "bulky" compared to a wireless card or wireless usb. (i know, why complain when it's free from my brother)

back in november, i really mucked it up because i couldn't even log on (and i don't remember how i did it) this is when my friend backed up what i considered important and started over for me.

yes, two pieces of tape is holding a little of the plastic on my laptop - but that's just a cosmetic issue.

my brother tried to install the motorola razr program onto my lapto and the laptop did not liek that - when we tried to restart it after downloading, it went to that safety screen (is it a reboot screen or something?) a few days later, my friend downloaded daemon software so that i could mount a cd info onto my laptop so that i wouldn't have to carry the cd all the time - well, it went to that same screen again when we restarted it.

and the usb sometimes doesn't recognize the wireless when connected, nor my palm lifedrive. it also does not recognize my western digital external harddrive unless i connect it to my mini usb port hub then connect the hub to my laptop.

if i could get this laptop back to working order, then i would gladly continue using this and wait til the holiday for a sale on a new thinkpad (yes, i'm just so use to the red navigation button in the middle of the keyboard)

i hate that i am so stoooopid when it comes to computers.

 

[alimoalem]

even though you're having these issues with your current thinkpad, i still think thinkpad is the way to go. otherwise, why pay extra $$ for sony when you can get a cheaper consumer laptop (asus or hp)? much better bang for your buck

 

[thelittleprincess]

what do you all think of the X60 compared to the T60?

i like my current T40 which has a screen of 14.1". not sure if i'll like 12.1" on the X60 but it would make if lighter to carry around.

i'm not too familiar with the x series thinkpad. anyone out ther compare teh t and x series?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: thelittleprincess
what do you all think of the X60 compared to the T60?

i like my current T40 which has a screen of 14.1". not sure if i'll like 12.1" on the X60 but it would make if lighter to carry around.

i'm not too familiar with the x series thinkpad. anyone out ther compare teh t and x series?

I have not played with the new T60's but I have a T42 at work and am typing this post on my Wifes new X60s. I love the X60, I thought the 12.1" screen would drive me bonkers (I dual screen with my desktop, 20" wide and 15" so I like screen space) but so far it has been great. I got the 1704-69U model so it's a 1.66 Core Duo, 1GB (I added another gb), GMA 950, 100gb 5400 SATA, ultrabase w/DVD burner, etc... with vista Ultimate running my LCD max I get ~5.5 hours of battery life, so not bad.

My wife is very mobile so this works awesome for her as it's only 3.5 lbs with the extended battery (8 cell) and 2.7 lbs with the slim (4 cell). If I had my choice I would probably get a T60p because I would want a little more power for gaming and such. For regular tasks like web surfing, using office, playing movies, etc... it works very fast. Also the wireless has an INCREDIBLE antenna, I can get signal from way farther than my mother in laws T40, our old T23, and several dells my friends have.

Now here comes that bad news... to get the model I have you are looking at ~$2200 new so the price is a little high. I think it is completly worth it if you are looking for an ultra-portable. From the sound of it you would be better served by the T60 or T60p but no matter what expect to spend a little more for a comparable IBM/Lenovo. But as with most things, you get what you pay for.

 

[thelittleprincess]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

i found a 15% stackable code late last night....but I had school and work all day today (school was 9 hours, work was 4 hours) but i figured the couplon didn't expire until 3/23 so it would be good til midnight right? WRONG. so i missed a chance to get a really good deal on the T60.

i'm really bummed. why did i wait? i should have ditched school or work to order the laptop. damn it.

 

[thelittleprincess]

most of the feedback i've been getting has been to stick with the thinkpad.

lenovo's current sale ends tomorrow....i wonder what kind of sale they have going on after April 2nd. Or if they are coming out with something new.

I saw in an ad the other day that the vaios have blue ray disc capabilities now available.

 

[thelittleprincess]

what exactly is the difference between a t60 vs a t60p?

they are both configurable, so i can make them both exactly the same.....so i was wondering what the "p" in the t60p is and how does that make it better thant60?

thanks.

 

[Brainonska511]

The T60p has the Fire GL v5200 GPU, which is the professional grade version of the MR X1600.

 

[thelittleprincess]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
The T60p has the Fire GL v5200 GPU, which is the professional grade version of the MR X1600.

this would only matter to me if I was interested in gaming, right? otherwise, save myself some $$ and go with the t60 instead of t60p, right?

 

[Brainonska511]

Yep. Plus, if you were looking to game, there are better choices than the T60p in terms of GPUs since the FireGL v5200, even though it shares the same core as the MR X1600, it would perform worse.