What was the best IBM thinkpad ever built?

[dannybek]

What was the best IBM thinkpad ever built? From the Pentium!!! to the current Pentium M.
Please stae your explanation and specifications of the thinkpad.
Lastly was it a metallic case or a plastic one?

 

[ultimatebob]

That's easy. The Thinkpad T20! It's compact, light, and very fast for it's time. It was also the first Thinkpad with the Titanium top panel.

 

[dannybek]

So basically the t series are the best? Exclusively which one? More opinions please!

 

[OldSpooky]

this is a tricky question. Some people maintain that the old 600 series (predecessor to the T series) is the best. I've tried out a T23, T30, and T40 (currently own) and I have to say that overall I like the T40 best.

The T23 is a nice machine, but the keyboard isn't nearly as solid as the T40. The T40 also runs a lot faster and cooler. The T30 is also a superb machine, but it's a bit too big for my liking.

 

[dannybek]

oldspooky, I thought you owned a dell D600 or 600M? Changed to a T40? Im about to sell my 600M for a T40, except I don't have much money. Any good place to buy a T40 cheapy?

 

[OldSpooky]

oldspooky, I thought you owned a dell D600 or 600M?

Yeah I originally purchased a Latitude D600, but I got mad at it because it had a lousy keyboard and a power supply that made awful noises.

There are some good 3rd party vendors like ThinkPadDepot (merged with Kaanza.com) that sell ThinkPads for less than IBM. However, IBM gives you a 30 day trial period, and 3rd party vendors generally do not allow returns. The disadvantage of buying dirrect from IBM is sales tax, which makes already expensive ThinkPads even more expensive 🙁

Hope that helps 🙂

 

[geoffkin]

Thinkpad Depot looks pretty expensive even. I just ordered a brand new T23 (1.2 PIII, 256 MB, 8X DVD, 40 GB HD@5400) from PC Connection for $999 DELIVERED! Gotta love the 3 year FULL Warranty included from IBM and built in WIFI!
Is there a better deal out there for REALLY CLOSE to $1,000?!

 

[JZilla]

Originally posted by: geoffkin
Thinkpad Depot looks pretty expensive even. I just ordered a brand new T23 (1.2 PIII, 256 MB, 8X DVD, 40 GB HD@5400) from PC Connection for $999 DELIVERED! Gotta love the 3 year FULL Warranty included from IBM and built in WIFI!
Is there a better deal out there for REALLY CLOSE to $1,000?!

Hell NO. I wish I could get one. I'm dreaming of getting a T40, but $999 for a T23 makes the price difference between a T23 and a T40 not worth it imo.

 

[geoffkin]

Good deal, I didn't want to spend more than $1,000 on something I'm taking on trips and could lose/get stolen!

 

[hans007]

though it was pre pentium, i'll go with the one with the butterfly keyboard. that was truly innovative.

 

[pukemon]

The Thinkpad 701C ("butterfly") was certainly the most innovative, but it never caught on.

Any of the T Series is worthy of best. Rock solid machines that businesses continue to purchase... Still using a bunch of T22 and T23's at my company.

 

[GizmoFreak]

I would vote for the 600 series

 

[IgoByte]

T23 for me. Not as hot as the T20 and better overall.

 

[IgoByte]

Originally posted by: geoffkin
Thinkpad Depot looks pretty expensive even. I just ordered a brand new T23 (1.2 PIII, 256 MB, 8X DVD, 40 GB HD@5400) from PC Connection for $999 DELIVERED! Gotta love the 3 year FULL Warranty included from IBM and built in WIFI!
Is there a better deal out there for REALLY CLOSE to $1,000?!

Hehee...congrats!

 

[iamme]

TP 600E
PII 400MHz
288MB RAM
4GB HD

*sniff*.........i loved that thing 🙂

it was endearing that such a "slow machine" could get so much use. The keyboard was sturdy and amazing. Sometimes I'd word process on the 600E, rather than my desktop 🙂

 

[AnyMal]

Another vote for 600 series. Best TP's evar.