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

[Michael Shiloh]

Another thought:

Perhaps there is a compromise: What is the latest/fastest Thinkpad that 
still has the keyboard and pointing device I so love?

Michael


On 06/01/2014 03:36 PM, Michael Shiloh wrote:
> I too love my old thinkpads, but I'm afraid that after I spend some $500
> (SSD, RAM, processor) I'll still have a machine that is too slow for
> modern use.
>
> The alternative, though, probably involves spending at least double that
> and losing the red pointing stick (or whatever it's called) and they
> keyboard I so love. I hope I'd get used to whatever I end up with but
> fear I'd always feel it's inferior.
>
> Money aside, I guess it boils down to speed vs. keyboard and pointer....
>
> Pondering, pondering ...
>
> Thanks, as always, for your suggestions and observations.
>
> On 05/31/2014 03:03 PM, Kenneth Dombrowski wrote:
>> Hi Michael,
>>
>> Sorry for the late reply, somehow I didn't see this until cleaning out
>> my inbox just now.
>>
>> I've had good luck with Lenovo's refurbished laptops too, but last I
>> checked their "outlet" site was in pretty bad shape.  We've been having
>> a lot of issues with them @ work lately too; everything from OS &
>> hardware issues, to support & billing issues.
>>
>> With my other thinkpads, I've always loved how easy self-maintenance is;
>> it's always been easy to find part numbers, order replacement parts
>> directly from IBM/Lenovo, and follow the instructions to replace it.
>> I've replaced fans, keyboards, a CPU, and hard drive & memory locations
>> were always designed for easy access.  I haven't opened up the carbon,
>> but it doesn't feel like that experience will be the same.  I heard a
>> rumor that the SSD is not replaceable at all.
>>
>> I'd be curious about the results of your research though -- I love my
>> x61s, but I think it is soon going into semi-retirement as a file server
>> for my apt.
>>
>>
>> On 14-05-23 16:07 -0700, Michael Shiloh wrote:
>>> Thanks Kenneth. I will study your Carbon notes. I read elsewhere a
>>> pretty unfavorable review of the Carbon although I can't recall
>>> which generation or what specifically they didn't like.
>>>
>>> I've had very good luck with Lenovo's refurbished computers. I might
>>> be able to get a gen 1 X1 that way. I'll check.
>>>
>>> M
>>>
>>> On 05/23/2014 09:09 AM, Kenneth Dombrowski wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Michael,
>>>>
>>>> As another Thinkpad fan, you might be interested in my notes about the
>>>> Carbon X1, which I have been using @ my new job since February:
>>>>
>>>> http://wiki.ylayali.net/doku.php?id=hardware:carbonx1
>>>>
>>>> I really like it, love the keyboard, the weight & battery life are
>>>> amazing, the screen is great, in fact, I have been keeping an eye out
>>>> for a gen 1 to replace my x61s as my primary personal laptop.
>>>>
>>>> The gen 2 is difficult to recommend though, without recognizing some
>>>> caveats:
>>>>
>>>> The virtual function key thingy is useless -- basically be prepared to
>>>> never rely on having function keys available (which is especially a
>>>> drag
>>>> on linux, when it's nice to drop out of x into a terminal) -- my
>>>> co-worker uses ubuntu+gnome & his always works, but I use
>>>> ubuntu+enlightenment & it dies an hour or so after booting.
>>>>
>>>> I also never got used to the pointer setup, the trackpad is horrible,
>>>> very sensitive & too big, I keep meaning to edit my config to just
>>>> disable the annoying thing, and the thinkpad stick is pretty difficult
>>>> to use too.  Also there are no actual buttons by the trackpad, and no
>>>> conception at all of a middle-click, I actually need a usb mouse to get
>>>> by, which is pretty sad.
>>>>
>>>> The gen 1 did not have these flaws, it had real Fn buttons, and left,
>>>> middle, and right buttons below the trackpad, if you can find one
>>>> (unfortunately they were discontinued the week I was hired)
>>>>
>>>> Maybe over the long weekend I will try out debian unstable with a
>>>> recent
>>>> kernel, I generally use debian everywhere & find ubuntu kind of
>>>> annoying, but I had to get set up quickly
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 14-05-22 14:08 -0700, Michael Shiloh wrote:
>>>>> I love my trusty Thinkpad T61p, but it's getting quite old. Time to
>>>>> upgrade, but to what?
>>>>>
>>>>> I've owned many Thinkpads and loved them all. What are the Lenovo
>>>>> steps up from the T series?
>>>>>
>>>>> Or is it time to try something non-Lenovo?
>>>>>
>>>>> I strongly support what ZA Reason is doing, and would be inclined to
>>>>> go with them if one of their selections fits my needs. I know at
>>>>> least one of you uses a ZA Reason laptop and would love to hear your
>>>>> experience.
>>>>>
>>>>> Considerations:
>>>>>
>>>>> - What's a reasonable amount to spend? I expect to pay more than
>>>>> $1000 but need to keep it below $2000.
>>>>> - Some SSD for speed. Could be all SSD, or some SSD and some
>>>>> spinning disk.
>>>>> - I carry my laptop everywhere, so weight is a concern.
>>>>> - I use the laptop constantly, so a really good screen is important.
>>>>> - Nice keyboard. I'm spoiled by Thinkpads.
>>>>> - I love the Thinkpad joystick thingy between the GHBN buttons. I
>>>>> don't think I could get used to a trackpad. I've tried often and I
>>>>> hate them.
>>>>> - I travel quite often and long battery life is somewhat important,
>>>>> although on the one hand in-seat power is becoming more common and
>>>>> on the other hand some time away from the computer is a good thing
>>>>> too.
>>>>> - I speak publicly very often so flawless external monitor hookup is
>>>>> critical
>>>>> - I don't do many CPU intensive things. Mostly lots of web pages (I
>>>>> typically have 30 open tabs) and Thunderbird. Lots of Arduino
>>>>> compiles but that's pretty fast anyway. I mostly used git, Inkscape,
>>>>> OpenSCAD, Fritzing, vi, etc. I suspect lots of RAM and the SSD is
>>>>> more important that CPU speed, but I could be wrong.
>>>>> - Style is not terribly important to me (thank goodness)
>>>>> - Obviously something that works well with Linux (standard Ubuntu)
>>>>> without having to jump through too many hoops is important
>>>>>
>>>>> Thoughts? Suggestions for and against? General discussion?
>>>>>
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