M4400 as a Workstation? Quality?

I haven't seem them myself to evaluate the quality, but as a designer, I think they look rather dreadful...

 

the current generation are really approaching parity. the precision, thinkpad, and elitebooks are all of very similar quality. but i have to still say i think the thinkpad has a marginal edge over the other two. amazing battery life, and runs very cool and quiet


@chupacabras: business grade notebooks are designed with function over form. Plus, businesses purposely avoid flashy notebooks to avoid "employee jealousy" and also theft.

bit of trivia for you; thinkpads are designed in yamoto, japan. the head designer drew inspiration from the japanese bento box.

 

I am generally a thinkpad nut--so obviously I'm not looking for a flashy notebook, but there is a difference between a understated design and something just aesthetically unappealing. For me, in the case of the HP, having a black keyboard flanked by silver palm rests doesn't scream function over form, but rather "we need to jazz up the look of the otherwise black interior so we'll add some silver trim".

Of course aesthetics are a personal preference though.

 

I don't care that much about looks as long as it doesn't look too stupid, I want to know how well it runs. OTOH I might like a RED one for myself.

 

yea i agree. i wasnt critisizing. i was just offering a reason as to why they look....well.....unmacbookprolike

i think i just invented a new term

the red latitude looks good........

 

According to the HP forums, the Elitebooks have QC problems from the first few batches of notebooks. I don't know if this is widespread or what, but check out the HP forum to get more info on the Elitebooks.

 

I completely agree. I am a big Thinkpad fan and I love the simple design. The HP is just ugly.

 

I just got my m4400 and I'd have to say I'm pretty impressed with it. My tax programs run the same, but gaming is pretty awesome. Sounds better with the same external speakers than my Asus C90s...haven't check as to hardware differences yet. Pretty great machine, great quality IMO.

 

Based off the positive reviews I have seen in this thread, I am making my purchase now. Trying to get a price quote with a W500.

 

If you're purchasing an m4400, I'd say you'll be very pleased with it.