is this a good price for a thinkpad?

SuaveX5 · #1 10-25-2006, 10:44 AM

List Price: $1,849.00 Clearance Price: $899.00 new in the box
Z60M P-M 750 WSXGA+ 64MB GX 60 512 MULTI ABG XPP 6CEL 3-Yr
Lenovo ThinkPad Z60m 2531
Pentium M 750 / 1.86 GHz
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Centrino
RAM : 512 MB
HD : 60 GB
DVD-Writer Gigabit Ethernet 802.11a/b/g TPM
15.4" Widescreen TFT 1680 x 1050 ( WSXGA+ )

Product Description
Lenovo ThinkPad Z60m 2531 -
Pentium M 750 1.86 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 14.1 in x 10.4 in x 1.6 in
Weight 7.1 lbs
Platform Technology Intel Centrino
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight
Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip
Processor Intel Pentium M 750 / 1.86 GHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 533 MHz - PC2-4200
Card Reader 3 in 1
Hard Drive 60 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage DVD-Writer - plug-in module
Display 15.4" TFT active matrix 1680 x 1050 ( WSXGA+ ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller ATI Mobility Radeon X300 - 64 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium ion
Run Time (Up To) 4 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty

AzX5 · #2 10-25-2006, 10:56 AM

Not a bad deal for sure. I would compare to Dell's best deal though:

A decent deal on a Inspiron 6400. The 6400 is nearly identical to a Inspiron E1505 from Dell Home.

Intel Core Duo 1.73GHz Processor
15.4" WXGA Display with Truelife
1GB dual-channel memory
120GB hard drive
8x DVD Burner
ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 128MB Graphics
Internal Dell 1390 802.11b/g Wireless
no software
1 year mail-in warranty

That configuration prices to $719 with free shipping.

Laptops have a tendency to break, so upgrading the warranty from a 1 year mail-in to a 3 year on-site for $155 may be worth considering.

Also, a similar Inspiron 6400 deal is available with 512MB memory, 60GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, and basic graphics for $599 with free shipping.

rickp · #3 10-25-2006, 10:58 AM

http://slickdeals.net/?permadeal=8285#direct_deal_8285

E61Silver · #4 10-25-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzX5

Not a bad deal for sure. I would compare to Dell's best deal though:

A decent deal on a Inspiron 6400. The 6400 is nearly identical to a Inspiron E1505 from Dell Home.

Intel Core Duo 1.73GHz Processor
15.4" WXGA Display with Truelife
1GB dual-channel memory
120GB hard drive
8x DVD Burner
ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 128MB Graphics
Internal Dell 1390 802.11b/g Wireless
no software
1 year mail-in warranty

That configuration prices to $719 with free shipping.

Laptops have a tendency to break, so upgrading the warranty from a 1 year mail-in to a 3 year on-site for $155 may be worth considering.

Also, a similar Inspiron 6400 deal is available with 512MB memory, 60GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, and basic graphics for $599 with free shipping.

This is the home laptop which is of lesser quality.

AzX5 · #5 10-25-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

This is the home laptop which is of lesser quality.

Which is the reason for the extended warranty. I've had an Inspiron notebook for about 3 years now with no problems (but it cost $2200 then). My old Thinkpad definitely felt like better quality (more durable, less cheap plastic feel) but my hard drive in the Thinkpad lasted only one year.

For $700, you can't go wrong with the Dell. Just my $0.02.

E61Silver · #6 10-25-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzX5

Which is the reason for the extended warranty. I've had an Inspiron notebook for about 3 years now with no problems (but it cost $2200 then). My old Thinkpad definitely felt like better quality (more durable, less cheap plastic feel) but my hard drive in the Thinkpad lasted only one year.

For $700, you can't go wrong with the Dell. Just my $0.02.

If you are going to use it as a home machine you are probably right. For business the issue of reliability is much higher than difference in cost. I had a HP Home machine and wasted days with problems, my hourly rate far out weights the difference in cost.

I take my laptop to clients offices almost twice a week and the fact that it weighs less than the cheaper laptops is another big feature.

E61Silver · #7 10-25-2006, 12:07 PM

If I was getting a Thinkpad today I would get a T43 or a T60.

The machines would have a sxga screen and dual core processor.

E61Silver · #8 10-25-2006, 10:59 AM

It sound like a good price but price may not be the issue.

The real question is what is the intended use of the computer?

I use mine for business and I look for a bullet prof laptop that will give me three to five years of trouble free service. Thinkpads are probably the best quality laptop but they make many series and that is sometimes more important than the brand. A professional series thinkpad, toshibia and dell would be my choice in that order.

Another factor is that Windows is updating the operating system and you might be better off waiting until that release. That way you will get the technology that remain in place for the next five+/- years.

BruinMan · #9 10-25-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

Another factor is that Windows is updating the operating system and you might be better off waiting until that release. That way you will get the technology that remain in place for the next five+/- years.

I agree - although the wait could be 6 months.

vinuneuro · #10 10-25-2006, 12:54 PM

That's a very good deal. Are there any similar clearance T43 or T60's?

You can't compare IBM and Dell. The lowest model IBM is going to be superior to the best Dell in terms of quality.