Best Thinkpad model(s)?

Which Thinkpad model(s) is/are the best? Maybe we should talk about two categories: ultra portables and the rest. Interested to know common opinions

 

"Best" is very subjective, and very broad.

Best in terms of performance? Surely a loaded W700ds.

Best in terms of portability? Possibly a X301 or X200.

Best in terms of price? Probably an SL series model.

Best for workstation purposes? A loaded W700, if you have a thick wallet.

Best for my needs? The T500 that I ordered.

 

X30X series

The best I ever had!!! (but has some issue and bug on X300) I hope they will fix it in refresh

 

If there was "best" model there would only be 1. There are different markets with different needs.

 

Well, how about all round best? and if you find that too subjective, how about, which one do you like the best?

I have T61 and x61s (the latter is new and barely used). Are they among the best? I'd like to know because I have no experience with other models.

P.S. According to the wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad
"The T23 machine ... is acknowledged by many as having the best keyboard on any laptop computer". True? How is it better than, e.g., T61 keyboard?

 

I really like the x200 series for their small size and good performance (faster than the x300/x301). I also don't require an optical drive, and hate touchpads. But if you need either, the x200 is not for you.

I am particularly partial to the x200 Tablet due to its extreme flexibility, outstanding screen, and solid balance of weight, performance, and features.

The x200s is also very good, but not quite as flexible (not a tablet, lacks WWAN/Camera, screen isn't AFFS+).

I also loved my T40 (I used it 5 years). I think it was one of the best designs ever created (except for the GPU soldering issue).

If you need more performance that is still reasonably portable the T500/W500 is a good choice (depending on your preference for games and CAD respectively).

Maximum performance/features is easily the W700ds. But it weight 10 pounds, has an AC adapter that weighs another 2 pounds, is very expensive, and only gets about 2 hours battery life (not portable by my definition).

Edit - A few other models deserve special recognition for their innovations:

701 - The Infamous Butterfly keyboard model.
s30 - Netbook sized with superior engineering and high style. Only released in Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand
Transnote - The ultimate convertible pen tablet. Makes my x200 Tablet look normal.
The FlexView models - IPS w/ superb viewing angles. Offered on the A31P, T43P, and T60P. Only the tablets offer this quality screen at present (albeit at a lower resolution).

 

Again it's very subjective depending on your needs like performance, mobility, price, etc. Just based on that I'd probably say the T400 if only because of the excellent battery life due to the LED screen. I think you could make a good case for the R as it's only slightly heavier and thicker, but more wallet friendly if you don't want/need the LED.

 

MidnightSun pretty much said it. i think the best ALL ROUNDER gotta be the W500.

 

jonlumpkin is right,

but I would have to say that I am just a little particle to the W700, because that’s what I own

See my System specs below

 

I would agree that the best all around performer are the T500/W500 models. The T500 if you are a gamer and the W500 if you are into CAD since they have essentially the same graphics card but the T500 GFX drivers are for gaming/general and the W500 drivers are optimized for CAD programs(fireGL).

 

hey it all depends on the money you hav and things like that. if you have the money and you just need something that you can use like a desktop. i would recommend the t series. i have a bunch of t series and they are awesome. they are thin and powerful. i work in a college and the staff here uses the R series and the t series. but everyone who uses a t series would say that t series is just great in everything like carrying around and things like that