Budget thinkpad help!

Hi I'm helping a friend out with his new laptop... his current compaq died and he wants something thats just reliable. power is not primary as his tasks are basically regular college stuff - browser, office suite and movies...

The SL410 did sound like great value... but he mentioned his budget was between 750 to 1000$, so i thought it would be better to invest in a more reliable thinkpad. The SL has supposedly been put through all the regular thinkpad tests, but just missing the roll cage and drainage holes from what i read on their blog. so is it really as bad as some people say it is? he's quite careful with his laptop... so super rugged strength is not the priority, but reliable operation certainly is... a reviewer on youtube said he got about 4 bsods over a one month period and similar problems with someone using wifi... so this put me off the sl a bit though the price tag and the specs are really tempting.

Anyway, if you guys know of great deals for an under 1000 usd thinkpad, then i'd really appreciate if u could let me know. About specs, 2 + ghz with 4gb and 500gb (320 should be ok as well) would be great with a regular 1280 by 800 display and all the regular thinkpad stuff in a 14 inch or under form factor... 15 shouldnt be much of a hassle if its cheaper though.

Thanks a ton!

 

T410 for $827
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or

X201 for $989

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p.s. reinstalled window 7 to remove all the bloatware should help stablize the os, else the bsod cause by hardware which is cover in warranty

 

With that budget you should definitely get a real Thinkpad. I agree with k2001, get the minimal t410, and you can even tack on a 3 year warranty and still be in budget.

 

Another option would be to get a Thinkpad T400, T500, or X200 (or even an X200s). They can be found quite cheaply online at the moment, and pack plenty of oomph for the basic tasks you describe.

 

The best value is in the outlet if that's what you're looking for.

 

Check out the Thinkpad Edge 13.

The Edge 14 and 15 are soon to follow.

 

I would assume that the sl series are going to be phase out and be replace the the Edge.

 

thanks a lot guys! are the t series sold at any retailers? or is it only available from lenovo? cos i haven't seen any of the proper thinpads on the sites i checked - bestbuy, compusa, circuit city and costco....

 

Plenty of internet retailers sell ThinkPads, but you won't mind many, if any, in stores.