[sf-lug] seeking laptop recommendations to upgrade from thinkpad t61p

[Michael Shiloh]

On 05/22/2014 03:10 PM, The Doctor wrote:
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> On 05/22/2014 02:08 PM, Michael Shiloh wrote
>> I love my trusty Thinkpad T61p, but it's getting quite old. Time
>> to upgrade, but to what?
>
> I have a Dell Inspiron 17R and a Thinkpad T530 (both running Arch
> Linux 64-bit) and I'm very pleased with them.

The 17" Dell looks nice and big. I'm tempted. The largest T screen is 15.6"


>
>> - What's a reasonable amount to spend? I expect to pay more than
>> $1000 but need to keep it below $2000.
>
> $1400us seems like a good median price.

Good to know




> The T530's external jacks Just Work(tm) using LxRandR - I use it
> extensively at work.  As for my Dell, I've really only had any luck
> and stability with the VGA jack.  Dell's been strongarming people into
> Optimus for the past two years or so (maybe three), and it's utterly
> pants.  If I can never buy another laptop that forces me to put up
> with it, it'll be... a Thinkpad, to be honest, assuming that it
> doesn't become all but a requirement on that hardware platform in the
> future.

Good to be aware of. Thanks. I'll stay away from Optimus only machines.

I don't think I've ever presented at a venue that didn't have either a 
VGA input or adapter, but as noted that might change.