What are the advantages a Thinkpad?

[felixportes]

What are the advantages of a thinkpad over the other brands?

[ian]

They're better - next question

[Guest]

What it sounds like it the biggest difference and the reason I will get one is the customer service. IBM's service repair people sound like they are doing a good, complete, and fast job on computers. Call into ask questions and they answer them. I heard they all speak english too.

[DeAnna]

3 year warranty
support/service is great - better than the rest
stability - integration
sturdiness - it feels well-made - not flimsy, plasticy - hinges - lid - everything - *feels* better than the other laptops I've used (dell, toshiba, etc)
display is the best I've seen - bright & crisp
Keyboard is the best - most natural layout and feel
the ability to get inside and upgrade parts yourself
...
and the caliber of user to user help and "knowledge base"

[bootleg2go]

3 year warranty
support/service is great - better than the rest
stability - integration
sturdiness - it feels well-made - not flimsy, plasticy - hinges - lid - everything - *feels* better than the other laptops I've used (dell, toshiba, etc)
display is the best I've seen - bright & crisp
Keyboard is the best - most natural layout and feel
the ability to get inside and upgrade parts yourself
...
and the caliber of user to user help and "knowledge base"

Hi DeAnna,
I agree with all your reasons except the 3 year warranty, it is not any different than the optional 3 year warranty that other manufacturers offer.
The reason I say this is if you look at thinkpad models, they offer 1 year warranty versions of most models for $200-$300 cheaper than the exact same model except for the 3 year warranty. So that 3 year warranty is being paid for just the same as if it were a $200-$300 option, only it is hidden in a different model number and not an option.

Jack

[Cat5]

3 year warranty
support/service is great - better than the rest
stability - integration
sturdiness - it feels well-made - not flimsy, plasticy - hinges - lid - everything - *feels* better than the other laptops I've used (dell, toshiba, etc)
display is the best I've seen - bright & crisp
Keyboard is the best - most natural layout and feel
the ability to get inside and upgrade parts yourself
...
and the caliber of user to user help and "knowledge base"

Correct, and the ability to do something yourself with hardware is priceless to me... Well, and the surdiness and quality also

[Fiish]

I have to lug my Thinkpad around a fair bit, and the sturdiness means a lot to my peace of mind. I at least know it won't break at the slightest shock.

It feels very well put-together when you use it, even though, as DeAnna said above, it's so easy to take apart.

I wouldn't consider the LCD one of the Thinkpad's best points - I think PowerBooks, HPs and Acers have better displays in terms of colour and brightness - but it's more than good enough unless you're very particular.

Um, did I mention the UltraNav? I love it becasue I can switch between the TrackPoint and touchpad whenever my hand feels tired because they require different muscle movements.

[K. Eng]

The three things:
(1) Sturdiness - the titanium composite base and magnesium alloy LCD housing are much sturdier than plain plastic
(2) Ergonomics - keyboard is execellent, and I love the trackpoint (don't need to move my hands off the keyboard)
(3) Service - IBM tech support has far shorter telephone wait times than Dell, and I've found IBM techs to be generally more knowledgeable/helpful.

[whizkid]

Reasons I buy only ThinkPads:

- Reliability. They are built well and last.
- Usability. Great keyboards. TrackPoint.
- Cachet. They are just plain cool. You know you want (another) one.
- Fantastic web site. BIOS and driver updates for machines that are ten years old! Want to install XP on a 770? They have instructions for that.
- Availability. Want an inverter for a 600? There are several on eBay.
- Value. Not the best price, but worth it. They keep their value well.
- Compatible. Every software and hardware maker gets tested on IBM.
- Resources. Places like this forum, the ThinkPad mailing list, Linux-ThinkPad mailing list and many other communities.

[jordi32]

Where is the Thinkpad mailing list?

Thank you very much.

Best regards,

Jordi

[JaneL]

Subscription information at http://stderr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/thinkpad

Archives from 1993 to date at http://zurich.ai.mit.edu/hypermail/thinkpad/ (ignore the spam that gets archived - it doesn't get through to the mailings)

Archives from 2003 to date at http://illuminati.stderr.org/pipermail/thinkpad/

[jordi32]

Thank you veru much. I have just subscribed!

Best regards,
Jordi

[ldbobby]

You can buy EVERY part that goes in it. Should you break/need something, you can buy it! And with the Hardware maintenance manuals, you'll know how to replace it.

[ThinkPadX40]

it is [[color=red]size=24]IBM [/size][/color]and no say anything it is enough



but you ask after that -Lenovo /China--


We have to think twice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aramitz]

The three things:
(1) Sturdiness - the titanium composite base and magnesium alloy LCD housing are much sturdier than plain plastic
(2) Ergonomics - keyboard is execellent, and I love the trackpoint (don't need to move my hands off the keyboard)
(3) Service - IBM tech support has far shorter telephone wait times than Dell, and I've found IBM techs to be generally more knowledgeable/helpful.

+1
I'm looking to change my R40 for a T42 15' coz (1) Sturdiness - the titanium composite base and magnesium alloy LCD housing are much sturdier than plain plastic
The R40 plastic is pitiful !

[ldbobby]

Acutally... that "composite" is some kind of cover over the plastic enclosure. I know since my is pealing off and I see plain plastic. Hoping to get that portion replaced.

[Aramitz]

Acutally... that "composite" is some kind of cover over the plastic enclosure. I know since my is pealing off and I see plain plastic. Hoping to get that portion replaced.

Really !??
You've a T42 !??

[sugo]

What are the advantages of a thinkpad over the other brands?

Engineering - something specifications won't show.




Too bad it's sometimes ruined by low manufacturing quality. Yamato Lab you have our sympathy ...

[daeojkim]

Everything that others have said above and design.
It pretty much stays the same. Black, dull look.
Even if gets old the design stays pretty much as good as new.
It's not like Sony that releases totally different looking machine every 6 months. Once new design comes out it makes the previous models feel outdated and old.
Thinkpads are pretty much timeless design.

[AlphaKilo470]

ThinkPads have a good history and reputation. Since their introduction in 1992, the ThinkPad line of laptops have been known for their features, reliability and durability. Although ThinkPads may not be the fastest, they can handle heavy loads and can take a beating like none other, these laptops were meant to last, not be sold on eBay half a year later. Another advantage is profesionality, these computers give a good appearance in any setting and no matter the age, due to the simplicity of the styling, these things will never look bad, unlike more stylish laptops from competitors which will look like childs toys in a year or two (one prime example being the 1st generation iBook.)

ThinkPads are also easy to replair and service, not only because of designs that have good amounts of thought behind them but also because IBM has released hardware maintenence manuals for every ThinkPad they have made.