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    Best alternatives to Lenovo/IBM

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Supercujo, Aug 25, 2008.

  1. Supercujo

    Supercujo Notebook Consultant

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    My Thinkpad order won't ship until after college starts so I need to look at alternatives to the Lenovo/IBM brand. Are their any manufacturers that any of you suggest? I am really saddened that I am going to have to go with another company and need some help choosing a new direction to go.
     
    Supercujo, Aug 25, 2008
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  2. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    Toshiba makes very good and reliable laptops too.
     
    stewie, Aug 25, 2008
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  3. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

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    Perhaps get one of those TopSeller/preconfigured ThinkPads and made changes to it after it arrives?
     
    BinkNR, Aug 25, 2008
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  4. maks

    maks Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just wait, you don't need a laptop. You can survive using computer labs for 2-3 weeks. There is no good alternative to Thinkpads.
     
    maks, Aug 25, 2008
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  5. sfrohman90

    sfrohman90 Notebook Geek

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    im waiting for t400 to ship after i start this year...although it WAS supposed to come before i left...
     
    sfrohman90, Aug 25, 2008
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  6. Supercujo

    Supercujo Notebook Consultant

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    I have really bean interested in Toshiba but they just don't seem to offer any good performance laptops, at least not at any reasonable price.

    Just made a Toshiba notebook around the same specs is the Thinkpad I made it it was 300-400 more then my original order.
     
    Supercujo, Aug 25, 2008
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  7. amidond

    amidond Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah I would think that you could manage in the Computer lab until it arrives. You will regret not getting one if it is what you want. Or get one from a Seller preconfigured like someone else mentioned.
     
    amidond, Aug 25, 2008
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  8. dohuy

    dohuy Notebook Consultant

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    I was considering the HP Business line, Apple, and the Dell Latitudes. It all came down to a matter of price for me. I would have been happy with any of these brands.
     
    dohuy, Aug 25, 2008
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  9. vengance_01

    vengance_01 Notebook Deity

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    Well I think you are gonna run into the same issue with Dell's new line and as with HP's new business line. Do you need/want a dedicated card? What size LCD and what resolution you looking for?
     
    vengance_01, Aug 25, 2008
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  10. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    Dell latitude and HP business-line are the only alternatives. Asus or Toshiba or sony.... are just crap.
    Check with Dell and HP to see if you can get the laptop earlier.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Aug 25, 2008
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  11. fuanacho

    fuanacho Notebook Consultant

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    If you need it fast, perhaps you can buy a preconfig laptop at lenovo.com (outlet) or another reseller. This are good laptops.

    If you can't wait, do like Han Bao, and buy a HP 8710w. If he bought it, should be good. (see han, I trust you! lol)
     
    fuanacho, Aug 25, 2008
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  12. DrDan99

    DrDan99 Notebook Geek

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    Look at the topsellers as mentioned before. CDW or another online retailer.
    Not Toshiba nor Dell.... too many bad experiences with what they want to call service. HP is consumer level mostly and would be ok if you are careful with it but carrying it alot is going to shorten the life. Stay with Lenovo.
     
    DrDan99, Aug 25, 2008
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  13. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    I also recommend waiting. You will be happier in the long run I think.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Aug 25, 2008
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  14. Theros123

    Theros123 Web Designer & Developer

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    Sony is crap? More like just way out of his price range. I'd wait it out.
     
    Theros123, Aug 25, 2008
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  15. glentium

    glentium Notebook Evangelist

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    Like what was said, only Dell and HP will be your best bet as alternative. But then, I doubt you'll get any earlier. Since you're looking at new models, it's not likely to you'll get them soon. Just choose what you want, ThinkPad, Dell or HP, then wait... :)
     
    glentium, Aug 25, 2008
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  16. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    If you go with the T61, you may get it very soon.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Aug 25, 2008
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  17. shein_98

    shein_98 Notebook Guru

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    You can wait...I'm doing the same thing. I'm back home in Canada for semester break, have ordered a T400 but won't receive it before I return to school. I am so confident in the rocktitude of the Thinkpad that I am having my parents ship it across the world to me in Australia once it arrives. It's worth it.
     
    shein_98, Aug 25, 2008
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  18. santasballz

    santasballz Notebook Consultant

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    No, it actually is crap compared to thinkpad and hp business line
     
    santasballz, Aug 25, 2008
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  19. edubarr

    edubarr Notebook Consultant

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    If you're looking for something that can compete with the T400 then have a look at dell's latitude E6400. It's a business class machine and shares many characteristics with the thinkpads.

    I can't tell which one is better since I don't have any personal experience with the latitude series, but I do think that the thinkpads are hard to beat. My thinkpad is the best machine I've ever used.
     
    edubarr, Aug 25, 2008
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  20. kai920

    kai920 Notebook Guru

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    The other model I have been looking at other than the T400 is HP's EliteBook 6930p.
     
    kai920, Aug 25, 2008
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  21. havoc531

    havoc531 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you must have something right away... but something from Best Buy or where ever. Order your Thinkpad. When it arrives, return the Best Buy computer.
     
    havoc531, Aug 25, 2008
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  22. techboydino

    techboydino Notebook Evangelist

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    I like both the Elitebook and new Latitude. I would definitely go with the HP over the Dell, but do like the looks of the Dell better. Hopefully you can stick with your Lenovo, the price is much better than the HP or Dell and will perform just the same. Hopefully Lenovo takes from both of them and comes out with some business armor of their own.
     
    techboydino, Aug 25, 2008
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  23. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

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    Like a few other members have said, use the computer lab for the next few weeks if it won't cause you any real inconvenience. Otherwise, get a cheap HP on eBay.
     
    THAANSA3, Aug 25, 2008
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  24. pufftissue

    pufftissue Notebook Evangelist

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    I would say that Asus is not crap b/c they make other companies' notebooks, or at leas they used to. Now they're in it for themselves alot more.
     
    pufftissue, Aug 25, 2008
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  25. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    Like Han and a few others said. The thinkpad you had on order is a business class machine. The only other machines that are comparable are Dell Lattitude or Precision line and HP business class machines.
     
    The Fire Snake, Aug 25, 2008
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  26. naus

    naus Notebook Geek

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    Toshibas are indeed crap, especially their Satellite line (the ones you generally see in Best Buy etc).
     
    naus, Aug 26, 2008
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  27. Supercujo

    Supercujo Notebook Consultant

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    I am liking this idea, Walmart has a Dell for $600. I can work with these specs for a week or two.

    Does anyone know the return policies for Laptops at different stores? I know some have computer exceptions and won't give you a refund and make you go through the company instead of the store.

    Key Features & Benefits:
    # 15.4" widescreen LCD
    # 2 GHz Intel Celeron processor 550
    # 2 GB of DDR2 system memory, 667 MHz
    # 160 GB hard drive
    # DVD+/-RW drive
    # 802.11b/g wireless LAN
     
    Supercujo, Aug 26, 2008
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  28. stewie

    stewie What the deuce?

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    There are many more brands that make business class laptops way better than Dell Lattitude or Precision and HP imo with personal experiences. Toshiba has the Portege and Tecra, which are excellent business class laptops. Fujitsu and Panasonic also make some very high quality ones for business users.
     
    stewie, Aug 26, 2008
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  29. Echothedolphin

    Echothedolphin Notebook Enthusiast

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    Working at Best Buy I can tell you that unless you're returning a defective laptop or you're trading out directly for another system, you WILL be charged a 15% restocking fee.

    Some best buys are a little more lenient on this than others, but it's not worth the risk IMHO.
     
    Echothedolphin, Aug 26, 2008
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  30. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Costco! if you can. No questions asked for the period within the return policy.
     
    jaredy, Aug 26, 2008
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  31. sfrohman90

    sfrohman90 Notebook Geek

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    use the computer labs and wait for the lenovo....you really dont need a computer at most colleges like you think you would. most classes dont require a computer anyways... and if ur not in a class that requires a computer you are wasting a lot of time and effort by buying one and then returning it a week later. what ever happened to patience????
     
    sfrohman90, Aug 26, 2008
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  32. BinkNR

    BinkNR Knock off all that evil

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    When it comes to the latest technology, for some of us that virtue tends to be non-existent until the device is in our hands ;) .
     
    BinkNR, Aug 26, 2008
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