Originally Posted by nmenaker
no question about it. thinkpads are the best. Great products, workhorses, great IBM service, still even though the core company for thinkpads has been bought out by Lenovo. I just had an issue pop up with a laptop, that was OUT of warranty. got a tech on the phone in one minute, had a DHL box in the mail that day. Called monday, had repaired unit back Thursday night, ACROSS the country.
Granted, a part died, but after four years these things happen. point is, I have five other thinkpads that have never died, and for the one that did, the service was exceptional.
this is also based on 8 years of corporate use, with roughtly 600 units running through the IT department. Currently, there are only about 50 on an annual basis running through IT.
historically, I would have paid more for the IBM than the DELL product, and that was a cost benefit judgement call. Today, the price is so close, I would without question buy the IBM for this type of use.
Sony's are nice for more video, media, etc. I like having firewire on a laptop, but I just add a pcmcia card for that.
As for drives, I have a 100 gb drive in the latest one, I would stay away from 10K drives in laptops though, too much battery drain and vibration, but it speed is the most critical issue then there are going to be drives to satisfy all.
7200 rpm is fine, not too much vibbration.