As to what to get: Dell vs. IBM

[Capedad]

Hi folks,

new guy here.

Getting my wife a top of the line laptop for X-mas and while I was originally leaning towards another Dell - 8600 - I have been mulling over the new T41p or R50p from IBM.

I've always wanted to go that route on my many desktops for myself and the kids but have always gotten the best I could get with Dell.

I would really like to know of the pros and cons of IBM. Obviously, more $$ up front but how's the support? From what I've read, it's great.

Never had a problem with a Dell but I want to buy a "Lincoln" of laptops for my wife so she can use it for the duration.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.



Dave

 

[randytho]

I've been comparing a Lattitude D600 and a T41. Similar size. The IBM does better on battery life. Especially with the high capacity.

Build quality on the IBM is reportedly better. This is a big deal to me. Keyboard is better also. Another biggie. If you want to go all out get a T41p with the 128MB 9600 equivalent card. That is for any gaming use. If not used for gaming pick up one with the 9000 anyway.

Either way you go, the 'complete care' or thinkpad protection program cost 150-200 more. I'm definately getting this.


The 8600 is a bulkier system I think. Pretty sure its not a "thin and light". Comparable would be a C600. (I think that is it.)

Let me know if you find out any good info. I think I'm buying a T41 around Christmas. Waiting on a good promotion and maybe a reduction in HDD capacity cost. Would like a 60 gig.

 

[firtol88]

How does she use her laptop? both systems have strengths...

Is she a large woman? ( T41p is easily held in one hand by the smallest of people the 8600 well... Though I don't understand them myself I see peoples remarks about how much difference 2.5 lbs makes... )

If it comes down to build quality and customer support get the IBM, Dell isn't even close.

 

[replicator]

Hey there..

My gf recently bought a Dell Inspiron 1100, and I got an IBM R40. Definitely the IBM has much better build quality, even on their lower end models.

I hear that the Dell Latitudes have decent builds, but their price is close to IBM anyhow. It seems that Dell's quality has gone down as of late, and is becoming notorious for having flimsy keyboards and terrible tech support (which has been totally outsourced to India).

If I were you, i'd definitely go with the IBM.
Both the R50 and T41 are great machines.

 

[TazExprez]

And another thing is that the new IBM R and T models already have the new 128MB ATI cards.

 

[Capedad]

Thanks, what I'm reading is what I've been thinking.

My wife travels a lot (liesure, of course) and while we have Dell deskyops in Colorado and IN florida, she';d like to be able to access wireless when she's on the road so she can find a sweet deal on her next flight or hotel arrangement.

Yeah, she's spoiled and I want to spoil her some more. Hard to break the habit of Dell - but one write said they (Dell) outsourced support to India which makes me nervous.

I'm thinking I'll splurge: IBM.

As to what to get: I learned a long time ago that get the most you can afford at the time because things change so dramatically.

At the same time, I wonder if anyone has experience with pre-Christmas IBM promotions? I want to wait for them to come out but not too long if it means missing Santa's arrival.

OR: does IBM offer the best deals right after X-Mas.

It's been this way for every purchase of a PC: when do I buy?

Anyway, thanks to all.

 

[Pandaren]

Going with IBM is a good choice.

I've compared the build quality of the T40 to the D600 and the 600m. The 600m suffers from a mediocre keyboard and horrible touchpad. The D600 has a better touchpad IMO and a trackpoint, but the keyboard still sucks.

Overall I liked the feel of the T40 much more than any Dell model. The T40 is also half a pound lighter than the D600 or 600m.

I don't know if IBM offers any pre-Christmas sales. I know they just had a 10% off sale for the 11th anniversery of the ThinkPad's introduction.

Some people have mentioned that you can get 20% off if you are a first time customer and order over the phone, but I'm not sure if there are restrictions on that.

 

[stingbandel]

Have you considered Toshiba laptops? I heard they make good laptops with outstanding qualities.

I myself own A31p from IBM. It's a great machine. Like people said above, the IBM keyboard is fantastic. I haven't touch the keyboard of Toshiba but have tried the Dell one.

Off course IBM one is way much better in term of keyboard then Dell. In term of software updates, Dell is better I think then IBM.

For your wife, I think you should get whatever is smaller since she uses it a lot for travelling.

that's just my opinion

 

[Tarfin]

Dell has really fallen down quality wise over the last few years. My employer is a Dell shop and the DOA machines and break-fix rate has gone through the roof. I'd definitely recommend an IBM over Dell. The IBMs are a few dollars more but keep in mind that like most things you get what you pay for.

 

[Capedad]

Thanks, Tarfin, and others:

Tough to break ol' habits.

While this is first laptop for me - I did get my daughter an Inspiron 8000 when she went to college - we are strictly Dell laptop types. All in all a pretty good experience but there have been problems.

Disappointed to hear Dell outsourcing support to India.

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get an IBM this time.

Might I ask if others have heard that first time IBM buyers get a 20% discount? That would be sweet.

Gonna come down to T41 or R50, I suppose. I always believe in spending as much as you can at the time.

Oh, is it best to buy direct from IBM? Price is one thing but I want support down the road. How's the service with them?

Thanks again to all who responded,

Dave

 

[firtol88]

The 20% deal exists but for some reason is rather hard to get. You can however easily get the 15% share holders discount by buying a few shares of IBM stock... to get any of the deals you must order from IBM.

As for support in my experience they are the best in the bussiness.

 

[UltraWide]

I would get the IBM for all the reasons previous posters mentioned. If Dell has a kiosk in your city you can go check them out, I did and saw 1st hand how flimsy the 600m was and decided against it. I think the T41 would be a good choice since it's on its 2nd revision and they should have worked out most of the little bugs from the T40.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: Capedad
Never had a problem with a Dell but I want to buy a "Lincoln" of laptops for my wife so she can use it for the duration.

Toms Hardware called the t40 the "Bently" of laptops: http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20030418/index.html Are you sure you want to settle for a Lincoln?

 

[Pandaren]

Toms Hardware called the t40 the "Bently" of laptops

I dunno. The T40 has always seemed to me more like a Lexus or BMW if you want to make the car analogy.

 

[Capedad]

Hey, ultrawide, thanks.

As a matter of fact, just flew back to the Cape to go to work today for awhile and am near a kiosk in Orlando, anout an hour away. I was thinking about going to one of their several kiosks there and checking the 8600 out. I also want to try to learn about the WiFi "hot spot" thing since my wife travels a lot and I want her to be able to take her laptop with her to the hotels, restauranats and coffee shops where same is available. However, I have no idea how it functions since we are hard wired here in Fl with cable and SDSL in Colorado. The wireless thing could be cool and I gotta figure it all out before I buy.

As for stock: hey, I'll buy a block manana and see how that works. Owned IBM several times through the years but not now.

This is a great find - this site - you people seem to know what you're talking about.

I'm gonna call IBM about the 20% thing tomorrow.

My problem is I gotta have the top of the line. Which means after my wife gets hers, I'll have to ditch the desktop here in FL and get me a Thinkpad I can take on the road.

Alrighty then, everyone have a good night; I'll let you know what I find out.

Dave

 

[randytho]

Did you find anything on the discount?

 

[Capedad]

So far, only $200 on the R50, top of the line, but the sales rep said she'd talk to her superviser about something better. Imentioned the 20% and while I didn't get it, she didn't seem all that shocked by the figure.

A work in progress...I'll keep all posted.

Dave

 

[RonS]

I bought a Thinkpad T40p, Thinkpad A31p, and Inspiron 8600 all at the same time to compare them.
T40p. Great build quality, mediocre lcd screen quality, very poor external screen quality. But nice and light. I still wonder if I got a lemon, but I've read lots of other complaints about screen quality.
A31p - made noises (sizzling noises) and had poor video speed. This model is now discontinued.
8600 - this is the one I kept. Excellent screen, decent keyboard (this from a long-time thinkpad user) and very, very fast.

If the R50p was available at the time, that's what I would have probably bought. I wouldn't consider the R50 because it doesn't come with the Flexview display. The Flexview display (only available on high-end Thinkpads like the A31p and R50p) is truly incredible. If it doesn't have the 'p' after the model name, it doesn't have it.

One thing about the T40p and R50p - the extended life battery sticks out the back and makes it difficult to handle. You may want to consider getting two batteries: one normal (6-cell) to use routinely, and long-life (9-cell). That way you can switch to the long-life battery if you run out on long flights.

 

[Frightcrawler]

nice review, very informative.
Hopefully, this will help me decide.

 

[sciencewhiz]

What is your definition of mediocre screen quality?

Also, based on other posts in this forum, you may have gotten a good 8600 screen.

 

[RonS]

Yes, I got lucky and received the Samsung display. I called the T40p's screen quality "mediocre" because the display had poor contrast and a bluish tint.

I posted a more complete review between the T40p and the 8600 here: Review Link