Current thinkpad build quality?

This is similar to another thread that focused on one computer, but I thought I would ask the question more generally. I own a T 60, about 3 years old. I am trying to squeeze another year out of it, but it is having some problems, so I want to be ready to act if it dies. The T 60 has not been a bust, but given that it was supposedly a top of the line notebook when I bought it, I have not been thrilled. The WIFI has always been a little shaky. I often have to reboot to get it to work. Boot up takes 4-5 minutes, depending on how recently I defraged it. Of late it often freezes up when I try to close out of the internet, and I have to just turn it off. Then again, it has never failed on me and customer support has been very good.

How do people feel about the general build quality of Thinkpads these days? I have kicked around the idea of buying an Apple and using it mostly as a PC just to get better build quality.

Thanks.

 

Speed and responsiveness of your computer is due primarily to how you use your computer. No computer will be any faster if you download and install everything (including Macs). Part of boot-up time is just the hard drive, you're talking about a 5400rpm drive here. Wifi is partially affected by the network strength, but I've never liked thinkpad wireless software.

If your laptop is in one piece (nothing breaking off), and everything is running as it should, then I think that's a testament to build quality. Speed has nothing to do with the build quality.

That being said, the thinkpads I've used recently are just as durable as the ones I've used years ago. But now you can get a SSD if you want faster times.

However, all of your problems seem like software issues. Get your computer reformatted.

 

You'll find the macbooks's get too hot. Not ideal for PC use and certainly not anything stressful.

I am still a Thinkpad supporter although I do think build quality has gone down. My T410 has great performance in a good package at a great price. Not a perfect package (it has a squeaky palmrest), but it is otherwise solid and stable.

The HP Elitebook was tempting but more expensive.

I wouldn't touch most other brands as I see them in a bad state at customer sites.

As mentioned by the other poster, an upgrade to an SSD and a clean install of Win7 will probably give your PC a whole lease of life.

 

Thanks for the feedback. It is a fair point that most of the trouble is software, not hardware, related, except for the slowish hard drive. Then again, much of the software in question was supplied by Thinkpad....

 

That's a reason why some people reformat to do a clean Windows install - to remove the Thinkpad software. In my opinion, it is already much better than the bloatware some other companies give out.

 

I would also disagree with moving to a macbook just to get better build. The unibodies are strong but would not take impact very well since it does not employ a rollcage like chassis like thinkpads. If you drop the macbook at all, good luck getting it fixed.

You could just try reformatting your current t60. You could also get an SSD for it. You probably do not need to replace the machine at all really.

 

the greatest complaint i have of most recent MBP is the weak hinge design they, have, they are the first to fail if you drop your MBP with the LCD open. Also, Apple like to use the MBP aluminium frame as a giant heat sink, which is not the smartest thing to do, as the laptop can get really warm when you use Win OS on it.

@OP, regarding your T60, try to reinstall the laptop OS and don't worry about the Thinkvantage Software, actually the T43 Thinkpad was the first to roll out all these 'useful' softwares. Lenovo just carried it on and made some modification to it.

Can you tell us the model/type number of your T60? xxxx-xxx? Which wireless card do you use? have you tried updating the software?

You should also run a diagnostic on the hdd using the bios hdd health check or the PC-Doctor's hdd scan.

The two problems you mentioned are very minor, a simple upgrade of the hdd should pretty much resolve it. You could also upgrade the CPU to get more performance.

I still use my T60 all the time, and in the 3 years i have owned them, i have reinstalled the os on it 3 times.

P.S. You should also clean out the heat sink/fan once in a while, they do need to be maintained to maximize their efficiency.

 

My X200, my most recent ThinkPad, seems as solid as the others I've used.

 

As other posters have mentioned the rollcage is an excellent piece of mind. I've used Thinkpads from the 600X to my current T400 and can say that the plastic feels slightly different but the T400 is still robust and capable. It's been my college laptop and with TLC it is performing wonderfully for my usage

 

The roll cage piece I was not aware of. Thanks for that tip.

 

I am told the heat issue with MBP's is much improved.

If I reinstall the OS, doesn't that wipe out all of the added software? I have added some on my own and likely would have to buy them again (though that is cheaper than buying a new computer).

I have upgraded the WIFI software, but it only helped a little.

The other issue is how much to invest in a 3 year old computer....

Thanks for the feedback, in any event.

 

if it works for you and fulfills your needs, does age matter?

 

Another thing to note is that your T60 already has a magnesium rollcage, actually it was the first Thinkpad model to do so. Depending on your T60's specs it may actually be more cost effective to upgrade it rather than purchase a new Thinkpad outright. If you happen to have the 15" model with the Flexview display it is still quite a desirable machine. I used to have a T60p that was nearly specced out; the only reason I went for my T400 was that I wanted switchable graphics. As noted above if your T60 is doing well for you and you don't have an itching desire for the newest equipment you're better off getting some upgrades for your current rig and being happy with it.

 

I'd have to agree. My R60, which is very similar to a T60, still offers excellent performance. Typical notebook usage does not put a heavy load on the CPU.

 

I've owned the T23 and just got a T410i. I've also had a T41 and T61 for work and I don't notice a difference in build quality so i don't think the new ones are going to be any better or worse than your T60.

My wife got a 13 inch macbook pro in Jan and it's amazing. The battery life is incredible. I'd get one, but i need to run some windows apps and i'm also pretty cheap.

 

I have a T61P and a W510. Both are perfect build quality. Totally. My previous laptop was a Dell Inspiron 8200. Got 6yrs hard use from the Dell but always had to replace parts. Dell is fragile, ThinkPad is bulletproof. Everything about ThinkPad is better. Everything.

 

I have a T500 + T400s, and T510 at work Bad Keyboards, Cheap Plastics Squeaky Palmrests, and the T500 came with dead pixels! I had a T60 before the construction was excellent like a real Thinkpad don't expect even half of that quality now, until Lenovo works out their quality issues my advice is stay away, and good luck

 

My W700 is as solid as my T43 and it's a 17"....... unless this was the first W700 built by the engineers, it's excellent. Doesn't flex nearly as much as my T61p had in some places.

 

you're comparing a business grade notebook to a consumer grade one. of course its not going to be the same level of durability.

the dell latitude/precision line, and the HP elitebook line are just as durable as thinkpads.

 

I disagree.

I work for one of the largest technology consulting firms and every time i get staffed at a customer site, we're issued a notebook by the customer, so i've experienced many notebooks. I also travel every week so the notebooks get a good workout. Most of the time i have to stuff the customer notebook as well as my company notebook into the same notebook compartment in my backpack.

Dells tend to have a durable, but heavy chassis.. the bezels and other plastic strips break easily. Toshibas seem to have cooling issues.

The HPs are pretty good, just ugly and a bit heavy.

 

I will say that the new look elitebooks are very good looking.

 

Which dells in particular? the Latitude D and E series are built like tanks. Out of the 300 units deployed in my office we only had 1 failure and that was because employee dropped it down stairs. Our D series are creeping up on 4 years now, and only just getting replaced. They still work great, no structural issues at all.

I dont know about toshiba's, but i'd say latitudes, some HP models and thinkpads are the most common laptops in enterprise.

 

E series was a good move in build quality. I would agree it is a pretty substantial feeling laptop and built tough. I am not a fan of the keyboard or the outer surface though.

 

one note about the outer surfaces: those people who were complaining about the plastic feel of the new thinkpads might prefer the E series, mg alloy base and lcd back panel.

keyboard is good, but agreed, not as good as the thinkpad keyboards, but for me the backlighting makes up for it. i find the thinklight of limited use and rather distracting compared to a proper backlit keyboard.

i havent owned an elitebook, but have used friend's ones. i do think the elitebooks, dell latitude/precision, and thinkpads are pretty much on par build quality wise. they have minor differences which may or may not be appealing to someone depending on their preferences


for example:

Thinkpad: great keyboard, water resistant,
Elitebook: better looks (according to a lot of people, personally i prefer the thinkpad/latitude look)
Latitude/Precision: Magnesium casing, only one screw to remove whole base access panel, backlit keyboard

 

I don't like the Dell Latitude's external magnesium chassis since they are NOT rubberised, which makes it hard to grip in some instances especially when your hand gets sweaty.

Also, while most thinkpad doesn't nowadays don't use an external magnesium casing (other than some of the X series), they do use an internal magnesium rollcage. If you ever dropped a laptop hard would notice that magnesium tend to chip and crack too often, which in most occasion. While, the CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) has more fracture resistance than the magnesium metal.

 

i actually find the thinkpads harder to grip when my palms are sweaty (and it happens a lot since half the time i'm based in scorching hot singapore). the matte surface of the latitude (bottom) and brushed surface (top) seem to be easier to grip IMO. I really do find that the thinkpads are easier to grip when your hands are dry, the latitudes can be a bit slippery when your hands are dry but grip better when slightly sweaty. weird i know lol.

havent dropped on hard, so cant comment on the second part.