It has come down to these 3. I would really like to go with the ThinkPad but I'm not sure. I've already gone through a Toshiba Satellite, a Compaq Presario, and an Asus. My budget is $700 or less, so obviously there are drawbacks to this. But I don't need a lot of hard drive space. Main things I'm looking for is a comfortable keyboard (although I can always buy an external one), decent speed, and reasonable durability. Opinions are greatly appreciated.
Dunno what type of quality Thinkpad you will get for under $700. I have not been impressed with mine considering their legendary reputation for good business laptops.
Any particular models you're interested in? Each line-up from every manufacturer has good and bad models.
ive been thinking of getting a new laptop as well. looking at dell vostro, which would be my first business model laptop. hopefully dr of dunk comes in with his recommendations
dont go with the thinkpad unless you can get one of the better models such as T, X or W series. i have a t500 and love it.
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I did get the ThinkPad, and even though I've only had it for 1 day, it's great! As a writer, I type over 100 pages per month, and it has by far the best keyboard out of any laptop I've ever had (plus the keyboard lights up, and since I also complete a lot of projects at night, it's perfect). It's not too big, fairly light, nice display, and just runs very well (of course, it's only 1 day, but sometimes you can just tell overall performance-type things). Again, thanks for the recs!!!
If you're looking for the Thinkpad quality of old, you are absolutely correct. But, if you're considering a T or a W, check out the HP Elitebooks as well. After looking for a laptop for about 1.5 - 2 years, I finally settled on an Elitebook 8540w. fba, The Vostro line in general is a good laptop. They just released the new models and designs, so I'm not familiar with those. Just make sure the screen you get is good enough quality. On sub-$1000 laptops, they'll screw you over on screens or something else to keep prices down. I looked into it, but they couldn't combine the features that I wanted into a laptop or that would've been among the only sub-$1000 laptops I would've probably bought. My suggestion to you is to go research the http://www.notebookreview.com forums for any laptop models you're considering. They have threads there for specific models. They also have a forum where you can tell people what you're looking for, the type of work or play you'll be doing on the laptop, etc. and they may be able to recommend a model. That forum saved me from buying a Dell XPS and getting a laptop where the power supply is possibly underpowered and the CPU throttles when it gets taxed so you never see its full performance. Once you get the model you want, check tech forums for coupons. Or sites like fatwallet.com, techbargains.com, gotapex.com, and bing.com. They'll have coupons or discounts more than likely. Bing.com saved me about $200+ I think on my laptop.
Totally agree with Dr. of Dunk. Using an elitebook myself, and everything good about the Thinkpads are also on these elitebooks. You can save money on most models compared to the lenovos, but most features of the thinkpads are mimic'd a little less on the HPs. Thinklight, keyboard, touchstick, screen are all top quality on the HPs but fall a bit short of the thinkpads. However you do get all the same good stuff, roll cage, spill proof keyboard, dust and shockproof.
F**k that piece of s**t ThinkPad- f**kin blue screen of death after 2 days- "Windows operating system not found"??????? ARE YOU F**KIN KIDDING ME??!!!!???$^%##$#$# What a piece of crap- I don't know whether I just got a lemon or the ThinkPad Edge series really sucks that bad. But I'm seriously f'in pissed- this is 3 laptops in 2 weeks- what the fdas;hklf wejaionvu trc=rewctpvqeporteisjnqu9vw hbcorxtnuqwc3hrowhaecfwaefxlsieufhewqfawech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear that man. And sorry for being a dick, but if that is your 3rd lappy in 2 weeks, maybe it's you (what you are doing), not the machines, or you're a $h!t magnet.
Nope, prior to this had 2 systems over a 10-year period. First one I got, the Presario, is the only one I shouldn't have purchased- ran very slow- and the price reflected it. 2nd and 3rd ones were supposedly very good- just crap luck. I treat laptops like jewels- full antivirus programs, never download any attachments unless I know the recipient, - besides, these problems were hardware-related and definitely not due to user neglect. Oh, you're not a dick- hey, if someone told me what I just posted, I'd say the same thing, "C'mon- you're probably throwing the s**t around, going on p*rn sites, sloshing drinks on it..." Just bad luck, like the song goes, "1-0-0, 1-0-0, 1, S.O.S." (obligatory Rush reference)
Oh man, I wish I would have seen this thread before you bought. Thinkpads were awesome...when IBM made them. They are complete crap now that Lenovo owns the brand. HP laptops have always been junk in my extensive experience. I see more of them die than any other brand. If you CAN take that Lenovo back, do it and get a Dell.
Sound to me you're the problem. I would love to know what you have try to install onto your last 3 laptops or how you're using or handling it and what OS are you using?
I got a Sony Vaio for around 800 after tax recently after my hp died on me after only 1.5 years. Mobo fried out. Been loving it ever since, although it probably is a bit pricier than the range you're looking
This. It's easy to blame the computer/laptop when, in fact, most of the time it's the user that's doing most of the damage. I've had my Thinkpad for 3 years now and never had any problems.
