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Geek Culture / Lenovo Thinkpads

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Fallout
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Posted: 15th Aug 2010 20:17
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Does anyone have any opinions on these? I'm shopping around for a new laptop now. I'm not looking for a top of the range game machine, as this will mostly be used for browsing the web, web development, word processing etc.

The reason I like these is because (a) I've heard horror stories about other laptops, and don't know which to avoid, (b) I had one at work and it was faultless for 3 years of constant daily use, and (c) it's the only laptop I can find with a trackball/nipple thingy in the middle of the keyboard. I dont like track pads as I find the keyboard ball requires so much less hand movement and is much quicker to use.

So does anyone have any negative opinions on Thinkpads, or know of other lappies with trackballs?

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Seppuku Arts
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Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 15th Aug 2010 20:32 Edited at: 15th Aug 2010 20:33
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I'd probably say avoid a gaming laptop anyway, but you are, so that's good. From what I understand, gaming laptops don't last long and well...mine didn't.

As as far as computers go, I've always been impressed by Compaqs. The computers and laptops that have last longest in my family have been Compaqs. My Dad's current laptop is a Compaq and probably about 10 years old. I don't know their quality today, but I still hear good things.

Friends have had good experiences with Sony, except one who uses his for gaming as the casing is beginning to fall apart. One friend had a terrible experience with her Acer, replaced it with a Sony and is doing great.

Thinkpads, I've never known anybody to own one. But point (b) sounds like a good reason to go for them again.


As I've got to replace my laptop, with the same interests for one as you, my attraction has been towards Compaq and Sony, probably closer to Compaq.

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Fallout
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Posted: 15th Aug 2010 20:39
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I've heard Compaq's are pretty good too. I'll see if I can find one with a nipple. I do like a good precise nipple. However, I'm not into these new glossy finishes laptops seem to have these days in order to look stylish. I prefer the unmarkable matt finishes, which ThinkPads also have.

I'm still feeling the thinkpad Mr Sep, and you can call me Susanne if it isn't so.

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Sven B
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Posted: 15th Aug 2010 20:44
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Quote: "I'd probably say avoid a gaming laptop anyway, but you are, so that's good. From what I understand, gaming laptops don't last long and well...mine didn't."


I have just finished my third year with this gaming laptop (ASUS Notebook G2) and I never had any problems. I have no plans of changing just yet, as it is still fast enough for anything I need.
I'm just saying... .

Cheers!
Sven B

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Indicium
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Posted: 15th Aug 2010 21:21
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LENOVO = WIN!

Had it over a year now, I've dropped it once, it was a pretty bad drop, the dvd-drive safety remove device latch has broken, but apart from that it still works fine

i'd go for it.

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Fatal Berserker
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Posted: 15th Aug 2010 21:34 Edited at: 15th Aug 2010 21:36
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Quote: "I'd probably say avoid a gaming laptop anyway, but you are, so that's good. From what I understand, gaming laptops don't last long and well...mine didn't."


I don't think throwing it out of a 20 story building on purpose to claim your money back on the warranty when you claimed "It got to hot in the room and the screen started breaking and the whole monitor just popped off and nearly killed me!" counts.

My dad used to have a really nice sony viao or whatever laptop. But he sat on it... Still not really sure why.

If all else fails, blame your Government.
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Van B
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 10:32
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Thinkpads are about the most reliable laptops that I've experienced, I've maintained pretty much every manufacturer of laptop, from over-rated Sony Vaio's to the cheapest Netbooks, and Thinkpads just dominate IMO.
The nipple-mouse is the best option too, it's amazingly responsive compared to a track pad. I wouldn't suggest getting the small 'mini' models though, there are too many functions to crowd into such a small space, get a decent sized laptop and it'll last you for years.

Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 12:38
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Quote: "I've heard Compaq's are pretty good too. I'll see if I can find one with a nipple. I do like a good precise nipple. However, I'm not into these new glossy finishes laptops seem to have these days in order to look stylish. I prefer the unmarkable matt finishes, which ThinkPads also have.

I'm still feeling the thinkpad Mr Sep, and you can call me Susanne if it isn't so."


I'll be sure that I do. I don't think Compaq have nipples any more, they're owned by HP now and they're quite a prudish company, don't like having their nipples out in the open.

Though, you have peaked my interest in ThinkPads, must be all these talk of nipples, it has me all excited now. As I'll be looking for a replacement for mine, it's at least worth me checking out.


Quote: "I don't think throwing it out of a 20 story building on purpose to claim your money back on the warranty when you claimed "It got to hot in the room and the screen started breaking and the whole monitor just popped off and nearly killed me!" counts."


I thought Acer would be gullible enough, besides they said it was 'durable', so if it's durable it ought to survive a 20 story drop.

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charger bandit
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 13:39 Edited at: 16th Aug 2010 13:40
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I think Thinkpads are the best laptops out there,durable and powerful enough. Back in the IBM Thinkpad T41 days,those were some of the best laptops ever created. Latest cheap HP series are crap,Acer is a bit mediocre,then you get to the expensive stuff. If I ever buy a laptop again,it's an EEE or Thinkpad.


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Melancholic
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 19:26
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Compaq's are great if you don’t mind heat, noise and reliability. My family has owned 3 Compaq’s and only one has survived more then 3 years. As for ThinkPad’s. My school has 2 Pentium 3 think pads which are used intensely by students each day and are still going fine.

I recently bought a Samsung r580 and astonished by the quality. it idles at around 40 degrees. Build quality, whilst being plastic it feel nice and solid.


I can count to banana...
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Fallout
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 21:19
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I bought a Compaq in the end. It was half the price of the Thinkpad of equivalent spec. By that logic, if it does break in 3 years, I can buy again, have a bang up to date spec, and have spent the same amount as I would've done on the ThinkPad.

Let's hope it's not a bag of rubbarb.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 21:44
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I take it you don't like rhubarb? I like those rhubarb and custard sweets, they're awesome. Rhubarb? Well, I can understand.

In other words, cool!

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Indicium
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Posted: 16th Aug 2010 21:54
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Cool, may as well share the details with us? xD

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Fallout
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Posted: 21st Aug 2010 00:23
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Sorry, been busy for the last week or so. I bought this in the end for £350.

Compaq CQ61 Laptop

AMD Athlon II Dual Core M320 2.1GHz
4GB RAM
160GB HDD
15.6" HD BrightView
DVD Writer, Wireless Internet
Webcam, HDMI
Windows 7 Home Premium

Detailed Spec


http://www.ebuyer.com/product/195966

Seems pretty decent for the price. Good start up, quick for the basic stuff I've been using like open office, web browsing, playing DVDs etc. Crap battery life, and annoying glossy case which gets finger prints all over it, plus glossy screen so you can see your reflection. But for the price, I'm really happy.

May try a game on it this weekend and see how rubbish it'll be!

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