Back to the drawing board...

Well, I've had problem after problem with my Fujitsu Lifebook N6210 (see below) and I've decided to return it and go for an IBM Thinkpad. However, IBM's site is kind of crappy and I'm having trouble finding information so I'm hoping somebody here can clear things up for me. The computer that I'm looking at can be seen here:

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=4611686018425101662&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&categoryId=4611686018425011252&dualCurrId=1000073&catalogId=-840

My first question is about the DVD drive. I haven't been able to find whether or not it is dual layer. It's not a big deal if it is not, I was just wondering.

Secondly, has anybody heard the speakers on one of these? My Lifebook's speakers were unmatched, as far as I could tell, but I'm curious about the thinkpad's.

Also, I'm pretty sure the 1GB of memory included is one stick, but I cannot tell for sure and there is no option to specify 1x1024 or 2x512 that I can see.

In general, I want to get an IBM system that is as close as possible to the Fujitsu system that I have now (and am returning). The specs for the Fujitsu are in my signiture.

Lastly, anything you can tell me about your experiences with Thinkpads in general would be great! So far I am really not liking the website because it is hard to navigate and find useful information. I'm going to read as many reviews as I can while I'm here, but in the meantime, feel free to contribute! Thanks in advance.

 

That IBM Z60m is give or take just the same as that except I don't think the Z60m is Dual Layer DVD Writer. The CPU on the IBM Z60m is faster.

 

If you want something like the N6220 you should look at an Asus W2v or Z83. ThinkPad burners are not dual layer. There is the Panasonic UJ-832s which will fit the bay and is a 4x dual layer drive. You can get them on eBay, but they are pricey. Generally Panasonics are not very good drives. An external is probably a better option if you are not burning a lot while out and about. As for the the speakers, they are about average for a laptop. Good Luck.

 

if you ever do decide on IBM.. don't forget the Visa discount!
www.ibm.com/businesscenter/visa
the Z60m will be the closest to the N6xxx in size, but its a 15.4 and the Fujitsu is a 17". IBM doesn't have any 17". IBM's screen and sound won't be anywhere as good as the Fujitsu from my experiences.. but IBM works, and it's thin, light, cool to the touch and simple!

However I'm going to have to second Zazonz's reccomendation. Well just the Z83 series. the W2 is very pricey.

MSI has a new 17" notebook that you might want to check. I forgot the name, but it's the only 17" MSI model out there in the US

 

Hey, thanks for the info guys. Any other general IBM advice that anybody wants to give is still appreciated, but I think I'm definitely starting to get a good idea of what's going on. I've been reading reviews and other threads as well.

I figured the speakers would be typical laptop speakers, but I just thought I'd check. Of the two reviews I read of the Z60m, both commented on how good the screen looked, so I'm definitely happy about that.

And thanks for the tip on the Visa card, but I already have a much better discount through Ohio State, I think. They supply all of the University's PCs now so I get something ridiculous like 25-35% off or something. I haven't fully investigated the details yet, but it's pretty good, at any rate.

I'm currently in the process of trying to get a full refund on the Fujitsu that I bought through Portable One about 6 months ago. It's been quite the battle so far, but Ivan (from PO) is trying to help me out a lot. If they can help me swing this, I'm gonna be very grateful... But so far, oi the pain...

 

:::

Don't you feel SHAME trying to get a full refund
on the Fujitsu that you bought through Portable One
about 6 months ago?

The cost you cause PortableOne lost will add the extra cost
to the new customer buying at PortableOne like us......

:::

 

Nice to know you are considering the ThinkPad. It really depends on what you want. I used to use a Fujitsu Lifebook in the middle east and Fujitsu is a very popular brand there, if not the most. I always felt Fujitsu superior to others and even thought it to be the best laptop out there.. untill I got my hands on the ThinkPad. The ThinkPad is a whole different beast; the attention to detail, the shear eligance, build quality and most importantly, the ThinkVantage Tools make the big difference. You can read a few of my reasons here at http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=35425
Again, these are just a few reasons, as the whole list for me is too exhaustive to write in. You may not believe me, and all I can say is that you have to own one to know the difference.

Again, if you are looking for a system for gaming, ThinkPads may not be right; also does not have the host of multimedia buttons, LCD screen on the front the Fujitsu may have. Apart from the normal hardware & software issues, i doubt you will ever come across anyone criticizing the ThinkPad. In case you do, please post links here as we all would also like to read.

Also, you may want to check this link out: http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/thinkpad/community/legends/

When I came to the US on Jan 2005, i was hell bent on buying a Fujitsu. Then Alienware caught my fancy!!! Thanks to all the reviews i got saved from making a disastrous mistake there . If you were thinking of a Dell, i would have gone all out recommending against it, but Fujitsu makes really wonderfull systems thats only a step down when stacked against the ThinkPad. Asus seams like another good option if you decide against the ThinkPad, though I have no personal experience. Whatever amongst the three you may choose, you can be assured that you are in the league of really good computers here. IMO.

Edit: The built in speakers are just average, typical laptop, but the audio circuitary is definitely superior. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=36717. Again, I have not compared it with a Fujitsu. The DVD burner does not support dual layer. The screen is matt finish without the anti-diffusing coating, but at native resolution, its one of the most crisp and detailed displays i have ever seen (though the contrast level is not as much as you would get on the glossy finish ones for obvious reasons). I personally have a 14" T43 supporting 1400x1050 and I just love it.

 

Don't you feel SHAME trying to get a full refund
on the Fujitsu that you bought through Portable One
about 6 months ago?

No.

The cost you cause PortableOne lost will add the extra cost
to the new customer buying at PortableOne like us......

That's not so bad since, after a first impression, I already don't really like you. And I'm not sure that was a sentence...

 

For the record, I'm not really looking for a "gaming" notebook. I just need one that can bang out World of Warcraft pretty well and the occasional other game, I guess. I'm not a computer gamer, but a gamer who occasionally games on the computer... So to speak...

: )