Notebook buying blues
Ray Quick loads up Weekend Warrier BBS on his ultraportable to check messages when he notices May Munro’s post.
I have always wanted one of those ever since I saw The Specialist. But as I grew-up, I realized how unusable those tiny keys were for any serious work.
I almost bought Transmeta powered ultraportable Sony Vaio, a few years ago. I had to give-up that fancy when I realised how slow Transmeta processor was.
Today, as far as looks go, there’s none cooler than a Vaio TX. Highly usable, baggable (goes in my rucksack like my wallet), titanium casing, sits on my economy class table with room to spare, motion-eye, et al (I’d still take it if I were going backpacking across a lush green continent). It’s no surprise that even Apple digs Vaio designers.
But, as I have realized painfully that shopping for a notebook takes more than just satisfying one’s visual bliss. TX comes close, but not close enough. There’s apparently a fan problem, small vents (read overheating leading to potential motherboard silicon-hakka fry) and a few other minor annoyances.
I will have crossed my 50s, the day I’ll carry a leather office bag. So obviously, my requirement is that my ‘usable’ ultraportable will have to fit my all-in-one sac. I need a fully usable keyboard, or I lose the pleasure of using a computer, and I need a machine that can be my entertainment system or my work-horse at the command of my thought.
It’s easy to offer suggestions and tips to others, but when your turn comes, butterflies begin to flutter. Still, I am trying to remember my own suggestions to others in buying one for myself.
So, do you have one in mind?
Ah yes. The X60. I’ve been eyeing it a lot, have been reading reviews, lurking in support forums looking for any possible trouble and feature support. A while ago, I thought Thinkpad line was toast and I thought Lenovo wouldn’t keep it on its edge. But reviews, apparently, beg to differ.
Thinkpad line is still the best there is when you’re planning on buying a Windows notebook. They also come with standard screen sizes, unlike in a Vaio, where getting right display drivers in non-windows operating systems (read Linux) could turn your night into a day (or vice versa).
X60 has a small 12.1 screen and an amazing battery life. And it’s full featured, Centrino Core Duo. Just what I need. (I wish I could buy an AMD, but they’re yet to advance in mobile computing processors like Intel, so I’ll be buying an Intel powered machine inspite of its stubborn DRM forced down users throat).
The only thing that continues to stump me is the suffix. There are two models: X60 and X60s. I am not too sure which one I really need. I mean one is for the power and the other for reliability. Tough choice.
If anyone has a personal experience with Thinkpad X60 and/or X60s, please do share. It would make my decision that much easier.
Update: I don’t know how I missed it, but if you are a Linux on Thinkpad user, I think you should stay in tune to what Stephen O’grady’s posts on his take on getting a few Linux flavors work on X60s.
From the review you linked:
The X series is the Thinkpad ultra-portable lineup, which consists of a single spindle design. The Thinkpad X60 is the current incarnation, and our model sports a Intel Core Duo T2400 CPU clocked at 1.83GHz, Intel GMA950 graphics, and a 2.5″ SATA drive. (Note: this is a different model than the X60s, which, while lighter, utilizes a lower-voltage Core Duo L2300 CPU and lacks the fingerprint scanner).
So there’s the difference.
I don’t know how portable it is, but a MacBook seems like a far better deal.
Jul 13, 06 at 12:28X60 is an excellent choice. I would go in for those if I could afford it.
I dunno if the delays are worldwide and specific to one product but Ash is having a difficult time getting hers shipped. High demand is cited as a reason.
Jul 13, 06 at 13:09Well, that’s what is stumping me. X60 is for the power, has better graphics (I really don’t care about the thumb reader). Whereas X60s is low voltage, which means, it’ll give me longer mileage. (I am of the opinion that heat eventually eats into the system. Lower the heat, longer the laptop life.)
I have never really used a Mac in my entire life. I am not about to start now
, now that so many loyal fans are moving away from it.Well, there appears to be some demand, but they are aplenty in stock here in the open market. Some are even offering a great deal of free RAM upgrade, thumb drive and other goodies free along with a 7-8% drop from the listed price.
Is the lack of availability due to “student discount” thingy? Are you ordering machines from your school store?
Jul 13, 06 at 17:222 comments: (1)The MacBook is not an ultra portable. At 5.2 lbs it’s almost twice as heavy as the lower weight x60 (2.7 - 3.2 lbs). (2) The Mac platform is growing, and fairly dramatically, following its switch to Intel and ability to run multiple OS’s, including Windows. I don’t know who told you that “so many loyal fans are moving away from it,” but they are, quite simply, wrong. The Mac platform has never been stronger.
Jul 14, 06 at 06:13You wrote on comment 3, among other things:
Could you elaborate on this, Chetan? I am also puzzled. Mark Pilgrim doesn’t make up for “many”, right? I hope not, specially when I completely do not agree with his “switched the Ubuntu” related post (but to each one, it’s own).
Jul 14, 06 at 11:18This sentence is the culprit, and I must have got it wrong. (My assumption was based on the amount of traction a few long time loyalists’ posts received on the subject). I should have just said, “I have my reasons for not choosing a Macbook”.
Jul 14, 06 at 17:43I have used Dell, Fujitsu and Compaq notebooks previously, but I still prefer my current ThinkPad for its usability.
And when it comes to design, I a function-over-form kind of guy, so I don’t really mind the boxy exterior.
Jul 18, 06 at 22:43hi, are we meeting after 2 years?! :)..
just bought an HP notebook (frmo india itself) 2 days back. Nice config, great price.
Jul 20, 06 at 02:20TF: Good to hear from you, and congratulations on the new machine.
Jul 21, 06 at 20:37