Calling all IBM/Lenovo Programmers.

How do you like the Thinkpad for working? Is it everything you dreamed of when coding?

I am thinking over the next 6 months or so picking up a t400 for mobile use as the netbook I have has to small of a resolution to do extended coding. Plus I would like to semi retire my vostro to "desktop" duty, since it has been pulling way too many hours and needs a break . I am basically wondering how many of you guys/gals use your thinkpad for coding and how you like it. Ive always been a fan of the thinkpad, and generally I have an unhealthy addiction to business class notebooks.

 

I use my T61p for coding. It performs well, but pretty much any laptop brand should since the hardware is so similar these days. I think the keyboard is good for typing, but I wish the screen was brighter. I have the advance mini dock though so I usually use dual monitors and external KB & M. I think the T400 would do just fine. The LED screen option should make it very bright. I'm not sure the resolution is high enough for you though.

 

The main advantage of a ThinkPad for coding is the combination of the keyboard/TrackPoint and possibly the screen resolution.

ThinkPads tend to also offer some of the highest end CPUs (although a mid-range GPU) and chipsets. This can have a moderate impact on compile times as well.

However, as MaxGeek said, aside from input device quality most modern laptops are perfectly capable for programming use.

 

Your right as usual John. I don't like business anything, but the thinkpad has a nearly a perfect score as an engineering computer. I cant say that I did nothing for fun on the machine because I did watch quite a few columbos on it. But the t61p was a near perfect machine for development.

What is the not realized is that the needs of several communities are met by reliability and availbility in a trim package.

 

I know I can get a similar home use laptop, but as my sig shows I'm a business class laptop kinda guy. I have always liked the thinkpads, and I'm looking for something more mobile then my 17in so I can keep it at home for working at home, gaming ect. I can always shove it in the case if I need more screen, but right now anything will be better then a 1024x768 that my acer has. As far as the resolution goes, I am addicted to wuxga but I can get along just fine with wxga+ on a 14.1 and smaller screen.

Basically if I can get the same or better CPU/ram performance and get the same great typing/keyboard Id be happy. Its really is too bad that lenovo doesnt offer a normally powered 13in for the same price, as the wxga+ on a 13.3 would be pretty nice.

 

I use my T400 for development, and it works wonderfully. The TrackPoint is definitely one of the most amazing features; I use it exclusively, regardless of whether I'm at home or not. The keyboards are also great. They recently fixed the flex issue, so if you type particularly heavily, you won't notice any problems.

 

Yeah the keyboard is pretty important to me since I type a lot. Plus since my dell keyboard has no flex and is really solid and accurate it gives me confidence that I need on every laptop from here on out.