*Summary:
*No other laptops have metal hinges, metal casing, or a full keyboard.
About me:*
I’m an IT consultant; have worked extensively around the world on many projects and also previously settled in the UK.
My other/previous laptops:
*Toshiba Satellite 2410(discarded)
Toshiba Satellite A60(discarded)
IBM Thinkpad Z60m(wife)
IBM Thinkpad R51(dad)
IBM Thinkpad R52(kid brother)
IBM Thinkpad T42(this one)
Description:
I am an extensive researcher and have a compulsive problem to do a lot of research before buying any product.
When I first bought a laptop 7 years back; I was converting from a desktop environment; so was looking for max features to the price. This is a serious blunder when purchasing a laptop. I see many people in this way of thinking; so have decided to write a quick howto(geek speak).
So in that way of thinking; I purchased the Toshiba Satellite as it had the max bang for the buck. Also it’s display was really radiant(I still envy that display as none of my remaining laptops have it). As a desktop replacement; it perhaps is alright. But you don’t want to carry 3.8 Kg with you to work / coffeshop / plane / friends house / your living room / on your lap. The display was brilliant because it takes a lot of power from the battery. End-result - the battery died in less than a year.
I still didn’t give up on the Toshiba as I was convinced they were the best. I especially liked the Toshiba Tecra(which looks a bit like the ThinkPad on hindsight). However I purchased another Toshiba Satellite. This time I made sure the display was not so bright. Also made sure that the cooling vents for the processor had outlets to the side of the laptop as well. This ensured that I can safely place it on my bed or other soft surfaces like my lap. However the hinges that the display connects with the base unit were made of plastic(the Toshiba range has the best plastic hinges; I must add). This plastic is the most vulnerable to be broken. It is common sense as that is the one that is subjected to stress from opening and closing. Add a couple of years; and you will end up with a laptop that creaks badly; and finally break at the hinges. All laptops have a ribbon cable that connects the display to the base unit which tears easily once there are no hinges to protect. End-result - half the display dies. Please note that this has not happened to my toshiba yet as I am using it as a desktop replacement with a Post-It that says; "NEVER CLOSE THIS LAPTOP".
The thinkpad T42 made me an IBM convert for life. I am a little upset by the Lenovo takeover. Also mildly irritated with their new branding(Thinkvantage and what not). I am not bothered for atleast 5 years; as my thinkpad is rock-solid. I take care of my notebooks pretty well I must add.
When I first saw the thinkpad; there was this mixed feeling. I didn’t initially like the trackpoint; the boring boxy look; etc, etc. I was planning on the X41; but purchased this one because I absolutely wanted a touchpad.
But believe me; once you are on the trackpoint you might even stop using your mouse totally. I have disabled the touchpad and use only the trackpoint. It is awesome. You have to really try it for a week before you like it. After that you will stop using anything else. As said previously Toshiba has the best plastic hinges in notebooks. And the thinkpad are the only notebooks that is aware of the weakness so use METAL HINGES.
Laptops are prone to damage on the edges of the display. Since the display is the most expensive part of the laptop you should protect it. The T series comes with a rubberised magnesium alloy casing. An easy way to find the difference. Bend the display slightly using your pointing finger and thumb. You will see colourful bubbles on most other laptops. You will not find it on the ThinkPads.
Richard Stallman is a personal friend of mine who uses a ThinkPad. He founded the free software movement that has culminated into the GNU/Linux Operating System that gives you your rights back from proprietary software. I can vouch for the fact that most hard-core computer users use ThinkPads.
Now I have told you why I claim there cannot be a better notebook. However I believe that people should make an informed choice. So let me give a quick checklist before you make that expensive purchase:
(1) DISPLAY SIZE= 14" inch
14" display is sufficient. Thinkpad T42 comes in this perfect size.
15" is a bit more heavier and drains your battery more.
12" means you have to strain your eyes and have an error-prone small keyboard. The Thinkpad X41 is an exception as it has the same keyboard. However the hand rests in the Thinkpad X41 are short and not comfortable.
(2) METAL HINGES / MAGNESIUM ROLLCAGE CASING*
Amazingly no other laptops but the thinkpad has these features that is the most important. There is the Panasonic Toughbook which may have a similar built. But it is designed for construction workers and so is a bit too much toughness than required.
*(3) FULL KEYBOARD
*I touch type(meaning type without any kind of looking). I type fastest on a thinkpad as the keys are responsive, strong and smooth. There are no other laptops with a better keyboard.
(4) BATTERY LIFE
You should get at least 3 hours.
*(5) COOLING VENTS
*The cooling vents should be at the sides of the laptop. If you like working on your bed; the laptop can get dangerously hot if the vents are only at the base of the laptop. All thinkpads have sensible locations for the vents.
(6) EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT
I have seen many laptops that are heavier on one side. Those are very dangerous to the casual handling. There are many laptops that have kept the weight balanced. The thinkpad is one of them. Try holding the laptop in different ways before you buy one.*
(7) THE TRUELY UNIMPORTANT BITS*
Centrino, 802.11g wireless, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, Bluetooth, DVD-Writer, fingerprint reader, etc.
These are based on your requirements. However I must warn you; I have all the above specifications as well; and my laptop is also the most expensive ThinkPad of it’s time. Please do not buy features you are never going to use. Invest your money in RAM and a bigger hard-disk; but no more.
If the high price of the T series puts you off; you can perhaps look at the R series as well; which has the same features except for the rubberised magnesium alloy casing.
The only thing you may find negative is that the speakers of the T series are pretty average. Also the display is not something you are going to jump with joy on seeing. However, those compromises were intentional in the design. This gives the thinkpad an extra hour of battery which translates into PERFORMANCE.
Thinkpads are in a class of it’s own. Hopefully the other manufacturers will learn a few things and catch up.