On 6/13/05, Macy1 Hallock <macy1@hallock.net> wrote:
> paddy wrote:
>
> > Robin 'Roblimo' Miller wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>> I do not wish to start a flame war, but I have had bad experiences
> >>> with Sony Vaio AMD. Needless to say that is just my two cents worth.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> No flames from me. After testing damn near all major brand laptops,
> >> VA/OSTG has settled on IBM Thinkpads. They're stodgy and not cheap,
> >> but they're the most durable ones we've found.
> >
> Disclaimer: Most of us like what's worked well for us in the past.
>
> I am no different.
> Based on personal experience, I very much prefer IBM Thinkpads.
>
> (Long post warning... perhaps you'll find this to be of use... or not.)
>
> I've worked with IBM PC's, servers and notebooks for well over 10 years
> now.
> Both for my own company and earlier when I worked as a sub to IBM and
> IBM business partners.
>
> I've found that IBM Thinkpads are excellent all around choices for
> performance,
> reliability, ease of repair and compatibility. IMO, the only other
> notebooks that
> are similar would be the Toshiba Satellite and Compaq Armada series.
>
> Roblimo's description of IBM's laptops as stogy is accurate. If you
> absolutely
> need to have the latest state-of-the-art laptops, you'll probably want
> to look
> elsewhere. I doubt you'll find one as reliable and easy to service as a
> Thinkpad.
>
> My personal preference is the titanium framed T series Thinkpads. This is
> IBM's corporate class machine aimed squarely at Fortune 1000 IT dept's,
> It's a great combination of lighweight, thin, durable and easy to service.
>
> Many models in this series carry a three year no hassle factory warranty as
> a standard feature. This factory warranty fully transferable, you'll
> never be
> hassled. Given the high cost of notebook repair, I've never had a client
> regret having this warranty. If this is important to you, I strongly
> suggest you
> confirm the three year warranty by model number on the IBM website before
> you buy. (Note that you can buy factory warranty extensions for any model
> at any time at reasonable cost. I prefer units with the longer term
> warranty
> embedded from the factory, lower cost and less hassles.)
>
> IBM's R and A series laptops are a great combination of value and
> performance,
> but they only bear a one year warranty. They are still built better than
> most
> competing laptops and parts replacement in the field is easier as well.
> And IBM publishes their Hardware Maintenance Manuals on line in pdf format.
>
> Hint of the day: Never buy an IBM notebook from IBM direct or most
> resellers. I buy most on Ebay from end users. If you get the seven digit
> model number off the bottom label, along with the serial number,
> you can verify features and warranty on IBM's website. Be sure to
> comparison shop and know your model numbers. Sometimes you'll
> get extra options included for less than the cost of a new laptop. And
> if there's anything wrong, IBM will repair the unit in warranty as long
> as it's not abuse or obvious drop damage.
>
> Also: IBM Thinkpad accessories are easy to buy on Ebay, but be sure
> to confirm model compatibility. (IBM lists all compatible parts in the
> Sales Manual model descriptions on the website.) I've had great results
> with third party memory compatibility on IBM Thinkpads as well.
>
> Second hint: IBM's warranty runs from the date of manufacture on the
> bottom of the unit or original date of purchase. As long as the unit was
> not purchased from IBM direct, IBM warranty entitlement will accept
> a faxed "copy" of an invoice from just about any computer dealer as
> proof of purchase, as long as it's dated within a year of manufacture.
>
> (I'm told that IBM users have been known to "re manufacture" missing
> invoices with good results. FYI, IBM warranty entitlement dept does
> not keep serial number info on file by dealer shipment date. they just
> want the right piece of paper with the right date, like any good mindless
> bureaucracy...)
>
> I just bought a six month old T42 with a 15" hi res screen on Ebay.
> It's my sixth personal Thinkpad in 12 years. I have a T21 which has
> been my everyday machine for four years sitting next to it here. It's
> traveled all over the country with me. I recently had to replace the
> keyboard ($22 on Ebay, five minute job) because I used it so much
> that I had worn the keys smooth.
>
> I just gave my previous Thinkpad, a six year old 390X w/15' screen,
> to my 80 year father, who uses it as an everyday desktop machine.
> And I've got another Thinkpad around here someplace. I've also bought
> Thinkpads for my entire extended family. All are in daily use.
>
> BTW, I've had excellent results with Red Hat and Fedora compatibility
> on every IBM Thinkpad I've owned. The only exception has been
> built in winmodem issues and some tweaking of early power mgmt stuff.
> IBM strongly supports Linux, and is now publishing Linux drivers for
> most of their current Thinkpads. If this is important to you, check the
> IBM support site for drivers before buying.
>
> Digression: Not everything made by IBM is perfection. For example
> IBM's desktop PC's are not in the same class as the Thinkpads.
> They are pretty much run of the mill corporate desktops, not entirely
> unlike
> Dell or HP.
>
> I prefer IBM's servers, they still very well built and supported, almost as
> good as the old HP and Compaq servers, but they're not as clearly
> differentiated in todays market as are the Thinkpads. I continue to
> use IBM systems mostly because I know how to work well with
> IBM's service, support and warrany organizations. (My present
> server farm is made up of 3 yr old IBM and Intel branded machines.)
>
> Long post, I know. I hate hardware problems, seen to many.
> Thought I share my hard won experience, since others here have
> done the same and I'd found it useful.
>
> Disclaimer: This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
> And IBM doesn't pay me anymore. I wish they did. ;-)
>
Vry good write up, fits what I have seen with regards to them. I do
wireless coverage studies and have used several different machines
supplied by customers, the IBM machines held up very well, not only
that but the ones powered off of a 15vdc power supply would run just
fine off of the 13.8vdc power buss of the vehicle without the need for
a DC to DC converter to 15vdc. Perhaps not the greatest bells and
whistles but for the mobile environement short of going to a Toughbook
or a Walkabout, you can not beat them, the only other machines
that I have found are even near them are the older solid Toshiba
machines, I still use some of those when I am doing testing in places
where the devices might "disappear" so that they will not be a great
loss..
-- Chuck Hast To paraphrase my flight instructor; "the only dumb question is the one you DID NOT ask resulting in my going out and having to identify your bits and pieces in the midst of torn and twisted metal."----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
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