I think I'm addicted...

There's something about these machines that just draws me to them. If there's a ThinkPad cult around here, someone needs to tell me where to sign up.

Seriously, though. I'm typing this after pulling the trigger on what will be my third current TP, a T500. Yes, that's in addition to my X200 and T400.

Since I went hog wild on ThinkPads in April 2009 I have had a grand total of eight pass through my hands, some of which I have seriously modified or Frankensteined into other models(T60 to T60p, and an X60s to X61s). I've owned at least one iteration of every T-series from the T21 up to the T400/500, and I don't even want to know how much money I've spent on this hobby.

I do think the T500 will be the last machine I purchase in a while, but if anyone wants me to do any size comparison pictures, reviews, or anything, I'd be glad to. But now my question is this: I know there are several of you regulars who make even my budding collection look puny in comparison. How/where/when do you use your menagerie of no-nonsense business notebooks, and how many get unused?

 

Yeah, said that about my X200 too. Here it is six months later and I'm onto my tablet.

 

Haha... seriously enough, I have thought about picking up an X41t just to play around with, but I think I'll hold off on that for a while. How's the X200t treating you, and didn't you just pick up a Flexview T60, too?

 

Very nicely thank you. I would go with the X60t before a X41t unless someone's giving it to you. I did pick up a T60, but it wasn't the right machine for me. I sold and will keep looking for the right one.

 

Lately, I found myself looking around craigslists for used ThinkPads, whether it be from IBM or Lenovo, just for fun (particularly the Transnote). I'm not sure if Elitebook/Lattitude owners go through this but for some strange reason, I get the urge to collect ThinkPads like a hobby lol.

lead_org should be in this thread pretty soon.

LegendaryKA8: Why did you get the T500 when the T400 that you have is so similar to it? Or did you happen to get a good deal on it? Your list of ThinkPads is starting to look long haha.

 

ThinkPads are the original premium brand, which is why I think people have taken a shine to them.

 

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering about alternatives to the 1.8" PATA drives, but any decent-sized SSD for those are pretty pricey. One of the tablets would be a good machine for jotting notes in class, I must admit.

Yep! I even traded an old car stereo of mine for a 380ED a coworker had, and the first notebook I've ever had was a pre-ThinkPad PS/Note... still boots into DOS and everything. I also wonder if people on the Dell and HP side of the tracks do the same thing, but even though they're not really worth much, they're fun collectibles.

 

Couldn't agree more! For me, it's the red [trackpoint] and the blue [enter key] on a plain black layout that makes ThinkPads so attractive.

Man the 380ED actually looks like a tank haha. The thickness reminds me of the Panasonic Toughbooks.

 

ThinkPads Anonymous?

Hi,

I'm Halobox and I want a T410s.

 

It's an amazingly thick system, but manages to include both an internal CD and floppy drive... it's as thick as my old Dell XPS M1730 and probably not too far from a W700ds. It uses a standard 2/5" PATA HDD, so I'm hoping to put a new drive in there and use it for some DOS/W95 gaming or something like that. Other than a dead battery it works just fine.

A good vintage model to get would be the 770 series. They're a bit bulky but very well-featured for their age. I've got one I took down to pieces sitting in the basement; kinda sad when you think about it. They even had a rubberized palmrest like the X30x.

 

Welcome to the club

I have owned/traded/sold/received through employer probably around 30+ ThinkPads. I can definitely understand the addiction.

Fact is that I am down to only 2 at a time nowadays. One is my employer provided ultraportable and the other one I use for a more enjoyable multimedia experience for TV watching, occassional game and more power hungry apps.

 

Hi from Arizona peeps

I've gone through 6 Thinkpads in the last year and really enjoy using them. Started out with a T30 and was even lucky to get one without the DIMM problem. I sold that one to finance an R52 and now use a T400 primarily. It's just been awesome for my purposes but I am starting to feel an itch for another TP model- either a T400 ATI-Intel or an X201

I am looking forward to the new models that will roll out next year! Hopefully they bring back something like the Flexview and include USB 3.0 to all the business models. I am also wondering about the new integrated graphics. It seems they get a little better from the successive line of processors.

 

Well one thing I miss about being a reviewer for NBR is the fact I got to play with and review every ThinkPad released and sometimes months before others even knew about them. Seeing prototypes was fun too. The only downside was having to return them eventually. I have a T410s on order now that will be replacing my Dell Latitude E4300, looking forward to getting back to using a TP.

There is a ThinkPad cult but it's very different relative to say the cult of Apple.

 

did someone mention my name....haha...

Yes so far i have gone through around 50 Thinkpads or so.... and still have around 20 thinkpads in my possession.

X30x system is still my favourite... since it offers the kind of portability and feature set that are still missing from the more mainstream X20x systems (i.e. eSATA <-not available on the X30x system and on system displayport<- only available on the X301)...

 

i've owned over three dozen different thinkpad models since 1995 and some of those models more than once.   in that time i've worked on over two hundred and set countless friends and family up with them.   at this point it's hardly an addition and just a normal part of everyday life.

favorite it may be but the X300/X301 doesn't have eSATA, either.

 

i left out the T400s after the X30x... must be too tired... great catch on that, it is nice to know people are still interested and read my rambling. I am getting back the T400s from a friend in exchange for my spare X200 system, so the T400s is still at the back of my mind.

 

Even if I already knew this, it is still crazy.

From a sensible perspective, my favorite would have to be the X200(s). The only thing I dislike is the fat screen bezel. Other than that it is the best ultraportable I have ever had the pleasure of using. Fast, cool running, sturdy, light, long battery life, a real business/productive tool.

I however still have the strongest "feelings" for the X61(s). I am yet to find a better form factor for my preferences. Keyboard is perfect. I don't need 100% full size and the NMB version is just plain solid on top of this small chassis. Thin screen bezel, light, small footprint and just a superb performing ultraportable which has served me faithfully every single day for almost 3 years across many continents, about 20 countries and 40 cities. It is tough and still going strong. It has taken a beating through frequently being subjected to high ambient temps (32+ celcius), high levels of humidity one day and extreme dryness the other, going through airport security checks at least 4 times a month, always being squeezed in the storage compartment in the airplane seats, poked at by 1000 different fingers when people are trying to point at a chart, etc. As I write this I am passing through Vietnam and it never really becomes stressed like I do sometimes
Main dislike is the heat it produces (especially palm rest) but every partner has its flaws - Compared to my partner of flesh and blood I would even say that it has l...

My perfect ultraportable would be what the X201 can be spec'ed with today and a 1280x1024 screen, but just in a X6x shell.

 

I’m just getting started, but I might have seen the light. The firm I used to work for used to use Toshiba notebooks—before they became consumer-class garbage—and I used to have over half a dozen of these. Now that they’ve gotten older and I’ve discarded some, I’ve become a personal collector of ThinkPads. While I’ve just started, I have two T400s (not the T400s) and just bought a T41 off eBay. I’m just using the T41 to pilot things, but I already like it enough that I might buy another (to replace my firewall/personal web server at home that is currently Toshiba-powered). Then again, when USB 3.0 or Light Peak FINALLY ships, I’ll likely buy another ThinkPad—assuming Lenovo doesn’t muck it up too much.

Cheers!

 

I used many notebooks from different vendors but yet to find one that surpasses the balance of durability and usability of a ThinkPad. I'm still very fond of my first one, the R50e and i'm pretty sure there are others on this forum who have fond memories of their first ThinkPads as well.

The ThinkPad experience is more than skin deep, I love how easy it is to service and maintain the laptop over time. My 3 year old second hand T61 is chugging along fine with Windows 7 x64. In comparison my previous Toshiba Satellite Pro (2007) kicked the bucket more than a year ago and maintaining Sony VAIOs is a nightmare due to the limited drivers and lack of documentation.

I hope to add another one to the collection, hopefully some new refreshed models (Sandy Bridge) will be available when I be heading to the US next year on vacation!

 

I have always secretly done the comparison to a MIG jet fighter. The other guys can have their F18 Hornets and higher top speed all they want - I have DURABILITY

 

Wow... the enthusiasm for ThinkPads must be nearly unique among notebook manufacturers; I don't think I've seen any group of people who wouldn't pick anything else but one of these up, except maybe Toughbook enthusiasts. Even though I could sell my T400 or X200 and pick up a little spending cash, I will likely keep all three.

ThinkPads are durable, elegant(although I hate glitzy notebooks and really don't like how Macs look), powerful, and follow a 'function over form' design philosophy that just makes sense to me. I've only owned three non-ThinkPad notebooks, and except for my old Dell XPS M1730 I didn't really like the others.

These machines are easy to maintain, take apart, mod, and play around with.

 

Yes, I've been hooked on Thinkpads since January of 2008. Since then I have only owned two (my current T61, and my very rarely used X301, both bough brand new).
I will NEVER buy any other brand of laptop but Thinkpads ! They are simply built like tanks, and can take whatever you throw at them.

 

Thinkpadders are like no others...

 

I don't even own a thinkpad and I'm already a fanboy. Closest thing I have is a lenovo 3000 N100. My fiance's little cousins have used T60 laptops from their IT guy dad, so I get to use them on weekends that I visit. He even got me one for my mom, an R60. All solid laptops. All great keyboards. All have nice hdd bays with rubber sides, etc. Such pleasures to work on and work with.

I'm likely, but slowly, converting those around me to thinkpadders by my enthusiasm for great build quality. My friend needs a new laptop for cheap so I'm steering him towards the $340 mfr. refurbished T60 from staples. Only one I can't convince is my fiance. She's just too into Sony...overpriced overpriced sony laptops.

Can't wait to join the club with an X201i as soon as I get the funds out from my 1830T sale on amazon (have to wait 14 days). @_@

 

Thinkpadder club is open to everyone...

 

I am now on my second ThinkPad (I orginally had an IBM era machine) and I often kick myself for not opting for the ThinkPad earlier. I've been waltzing my way through Compaqs, Toshibas, Sonys and Acers.

And for the record, I love the look and feel of the ThinkPad. (this is actually a reaction to a thread that discusses whether the W series is ugly or not).

 

I've only owned one... my current X201 which I bought few weeks ago...

But seriously you guys, I love it!!! The fact that it's so customizable software-wise (I really like TP apps... is this sick? ) and so easy to open up and take apart/put together... oh, it just drives me nuts!!!

The clean lines, the curve-less design, the keyboard... matte black... omg!

 

I think my user name says it all. )

I have owned many, many ThinkPad models, going back the last 10+ years. Nuff said.

 

are there now more thinkpad users or less thinkpad users compared to say in 2005?

 

What do you know, O ye of little faith…

 

Yeah...but it is a damn good and stylish electronic tool!

 

I would say/think more.

Back in 2005 Thinkpads were VERY expensive, so not as many people would b able to afford one. Today, it's a different story.

 

If people can be passionate about Italian exotic sports car, Swiss watches, Expensive fountain pens, why can't people get excited about certain brand of laptops.

 

Thinkpad are amazing, every time I buy one, I want to keep it. But, I'm to poor

 

Ad you are getting a mac?

 

I'm getting the very cheapest uMBP 13 I can

 

Can't you get a T410 for the same price?

 

i think I'm addicted to "corporate" brand laptops. I like the major three brands, HP Elitebooks, Dell Precisions, and Lenovo Thinkpads. All three look really good to me. And now looking at the new Macbook Air, I don't think I can get behind Apple because it is apparent that they don't give a crap about upgradability. The battery is sealed, the RAM is soldiered, now the SSD is soldiered (I think, but then it doesn't look like you can buy a module like that anywhere). So basically Apple thinks in the future you should buy a laptop and throw it out after a couple of years when it gets too slow. Ugh I hate this planned obsolescence stuff.

 

The current web special on Lenovo's site specs an i7 T410 for $1199, the same price as a new uMBP. However, the MBP has the edge in graphics; the T410 so equipped only has integrated graphics.

If you don't mind skimping on the options, you can get an Optimus T410 for less than the MBP. The MBP's GPU is still more powerful, though.

Yeah, I'm not a huge Apple fan due to their proprietary kick. ThinkPads are far easier to upgrade, modify, and work on. Even major, warranty-vioding upgrades are usually pretty easy; I can change out a CPU in about 15-20 minutes or so on a non-X-series. Getting ot the CPU on any other notebook I've open was a major pain.

I've never used a Precision but have seen a couple in person; they'd be about the only other notebook line I'd use other than a ThinkPad Dell's not that bad on their notebook quality; my XPS M1730 was a pretty solid machine. I've heard good things about the Elitebook line, but my personal experience with HP has been less than stellar.

 

Optimus T410? Lenovo Canada website doesn't list it, or am I missing something?

I feel ThinkPads need better LCDs. The argument of "business computer" doesn't hold much water these days - consider the ridiculous "movie" aspect ratio! Every time I look at the screen of a ThinkPad (duh, does anyone use a laptop while looking elsewhere?), I always feel compromised, not as fully satisfied as when I come into contact with any other parts of the system.

Although I've made recent ThinkPad acquisitions (I think I'm addicted, too), I'm still "attached" to my old T43p 15" Flexview. Typing on it right now.

 

Interesting... I'm in the US, so perhaps the Optimus switchable T410 hasn't made it over there yet.

I will agree with you on the displays, but unfortunately there's little anyone can do. The LCD manufacturers are pretty much an oligarchy, and since they're all making 16:9 displays every manufacturer has to follow suit. It's more of a vendor issue than anything else.

I'll admit that I do kinda like 16:10 better than 4:3 for my own reasons(easier viewing of side-by-side documents, for example), the main reason I picked up this T500 is the fact that I don't really want to be stuck with a 16:9, and the T500 actually has a more powerful GPU than the T410/T510. Combine that with a Displayport and I'm kinda kicking myself by not getting one over the T400.

However, at the time I picked up my T400 I had my XPS M1730 and had all I really needed in the form of gaming capability. After selling that one off I've wanted a notebook that I can do a bit pf play on as well as hook up to my TV and watch some movies and shows I find online. The T500 looks to be a really good fit for that usage profile.

The Flexviews are classic machines. I had a T42 SXGA+ and a T60p UXGA and liked both. Unfortunately, both were kinda casualties of my 'moar powah!' kick. :/

 

Ordered. It helped that Lenovo now offers the Intel SSD. That alone save me $350 because I would have replaced the 128GB SSD drive pretty quickly. With my EPP discount, the coupon 15% off, plus the "free" upgrade from 2GB to 4GB of RAM, I made the plunge. Now I'll have an official personal machine again.

 

@halobox did you get the one with nvidia gpu?

 

Guys, let's try to stick to the topic; thank you. This is the second time a mod had to come in here.

 

HP has a huge advantage, they're the only ones with an IPS screen.

 

Aah. To be quite honest after having to open up my ex's DV9000(and ironically enough I'm having to repair what I hope is the LCD cable on a coworker's DV9000 as well... :/ ), I've pretty much sworn off HP notebooks. However, the fact they still have IPS options is quite intriguing. How well are the Elitebooks set up versus ThinkPads, build quality wise and ease of upgrading?

Edit: And, as an update, I just missed the T500 arriving due to an errand. At least UPS will let me pick it up today.

 

aw man, hope you enjoy the T500!

Honestly I haven't seen any recent Elitebooks. I've only seen an older 6930p in person. I wasn't really impressed, the keyboard had worse feel than my Thinkpad, and the build quality seemed average. But the new ones look quite good and really rugged. Also looking at the pictures of the IPS screen in action it looked quite spectacular in terms of viewing angles (also I have an iPad and it has an IPS screen and it manages really good viewing angles, brightness, and color clarity).

I've seen and handled the new Latitudes and Precisions and I really like them as well. I like the metal casing better than my plastic Thinkpad, and it's supposed to be magnesium so it shouldn't dent easily like Macbook Pros.

Let's just say I like all of them! Thinkpads have the best keyboards, Elitebooks have the best screen (IPS option, the standard screens should be similar in quality to other laptops). Latitudes and Precisions seem to be the best looking to me. I don't think I could choose between them!

 

That is the only advantage that I can see. And you are going to pay for the privilege of have a DreamColor screen.

 

Yep. I have the loaded Optimus coming.

 

keyboard is not HP laptop's strong suit. I also hate the bright silver colour of the lid, it is too bright and distracting.