I use an IBM ThinkPad R51. Let me give you the specifications and such first, then I shall give my view of it.

Specifications
•15" XGA
•768mb PC-2700 RAM (256mb stock + 512mb Crucial.com)
•Pentium M 1.5ghz
•2200BG Intel Integrated Wireless (Supports WPA)
•Intel Extreme Graphics 2 - 64mb
•Centrino Laptop
•Upgraded the 30gb hdd to a 40gb 5400 RPM Samsung. This sucker is dead quiet and uses less power than the stock hdd; there were no issues whatsoever with the stock, I just wanted more space
•DVD-ROM/CD-RW (Removeable without tools)
•Parallel
•Integrated ethernet/phone
•Mic/Headphones and built-in Speakers
•Touchpad AND Navigation Stick
•Two PCMCIA slots
•2xUSB
•S-Video
•VGA
•5.5 lbs

Observations, Cost & Support
The stock battery lasts about 4 hours. You can buy a larger battery for the normal battery slot (it will stick out) and even a battery that would replace the DVD/CD drive in that bay (so batteries in two bays) for perhaps 8 hours of solid computer use.

Lucky me, I even managed to grab a spare power supply from a fellow DSLR member for a mere $15 shipped. I use one in my room, and one at my workstation.

Total cost all said and done was a cool $1150 shipped, including the Crucial 512mb stick and Samsung hdd.

The IBM warranty service is also top notch. I have had to call 3x now, once for a new keyboard, once for the recovery CDs (XP Pro), and lastly a small question on hard drives. They kept me on hold for only a minute at most and the techs are in Atlanta, GA. They even DHL overnight me the packages for free and I can call 24/7. (I called about the CDs at 3am EST)

I thoroughly love the look and feel of this laptop. IBM's ThinkPads are black, professional, can take a beating, and are wonderfully smooth. (I did NOT like the look and [cheap] feel of the Dell and HP laptops I had to work with.) The placement of the ThinkPad fan is on the side, unlike some Dells where the fan is on the bottom. The keyboard itself is very sturdy and can take a very serious beating. I did have to get the first keyboard replaced though due to a sluggish 'M' key, but after a painless call and fast installation, all was good again. I also got to see that the IBM keyboards have a metal backing that should stop most crumbs from entering the computer if they fall into the keys.

This laptop is highly expandable given its price range. You can easily remove/replace the hard drive, ram, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, battery, and keyboard without much trouble at all. Each upgradable component has its own dedicated slot that is usually accessible with only 1-2 screws. Mind you, the components are still locked in place and are very sturdy.

The ThinkPad also comes with a plethora of programs that you can remove without too much trouble. One program I left on was 'IBM Active Protection'. The laptop/program can detect when the laptop is being moved, and can be configured in a number of ways to stop hard drive activity when motion is detected to help prevent data loss should the unit be dropped or something. Everything else I removed. (Note: This laptop has no Windows key, but you can configure a key to become the Windows key.)

Personal Review

I mainly use this laptop for school work. I can type my papers, look up words, research assignments, listen to music (both stream and MP3), and even chat without too much aggravation from the noise. Yes, this laptop is dead silent. There is but one CPU fan that rarely turns on. When it does, it is still quiet and almost soothing. I like to concentrate on my work, not on how loud my laptop is, or if my laptop is overheating on the carpet. (I used to worry because the old Dell laptop I used to work with had a fan [yes, it had 2 large and loud fans] on the bottom of the computer. The R51 has one fan on the side.)

But when I'm not doing school work, I watch DVDs and downloaded TV shows with this sucker. Both the speakers and the headphone jack can produce a passable volume. I usually just wear my Shure E2C earbuds as that masks the sound of the DVD-ROM drive reading the DVD. I have casually viewed CSI seasons 1 and 2, Cowboy Bebop, and countless episodes of Family Guy on my ThinkPad in only a few months.

I also sometimes work as 'the computer guy' for non-profits or small companies in my city. My ThinkPad has sometimes come with me to help fix computers on-site. Not only does it manage to impress the people in the office with its "professional look", it whips through applications and runs quieter than most rival Pentium 4 desktops at the offices.

I've also learned to effectively utilize my touchpad so I don't have to lug a mouse with the laptop; I can click, scroll, and manipulate documents and webpages very quickly. This has come in very handy as I like to work in the dark at night.

That's right, I've used my ThinkPad to format/mount/configure a new hard drive on my linux server via SSH, designed a few XHTML compliant webpages, and even made a few touchups to images in Photoshop with my ThinkPad in the dark without a mouse! (Hey, sometimes you get inspiration/insomnia at 3am.) The ThinkPad even has a small built-in light to illuminate the keyboard just enough in even the darkest room or plane, though you really don't have to use it as the keyboard is easy to type on so you don't have to look down... ever. And of course, the laptop is silent so I didn't even wake anyone else in my home. The battery life is also generous enough for me to: chat, SSH, surf BBR, edit about 3 text documents and listen to music all at the same time for a solid 2 hours.

But besides school, work, and watching shows, I also like to play the occasional game. I have played Ages of Empires II: the Conquerors Expansion and Counter-Strike 1.6 on this laptop without a hitch for about 10 hours total; sometimes I don't feel like getting on my main gaming desktop downstairs. (I ordered a spare Logitech MX 510 gaming mouse just for my beloved ThinkPad.) It's amazing how well this non-gaming machine manages to play DX7-esque games on a more-than-playable level. And this is only an 'R-Series', the lowest of the IBM ThinkPad line... I can only imagine what a mid-level T-Series could do...

The wireless portion of this laptop is also amazing and allows me to connect to the world. One of the main reasons for getting a laptop was to do all non-gaming work AWAY from my desktop PC area. I love the freedom of being able to work/play/relax outside in the shade of a tree, in a rarely visited hallway, on my bed, or in a warm couch. This laptop also helped me pass the time while my flight got delayed at O'Hare for 8 hours. The 15" screen is wonderful.

Overall, I love my ThinkPad. Quiet, powerful, and it helps me get things done... whatever it may be.

'Nuf said. ;)

I currently use the TP A30 with these specs:

14.1 XGA (1024x768) TFT LCD
Pentium III-M 1.0 GHz (512KB cache)
256 MB (expandable to 1GB)
20 GB HDD (upgradeable to 60GB)
DVD-ROM (UltraBay 2000)
FDD (UltraBay Plus)
ATI Radeon 16MB VRAM
Built-in speakers
Trackpoint buttons with Trackpoint stick
Video out
ThinkLight keyboard light
6-cell battery pack

Pros: I've had this laptop for more than a month now. I like this particular laptop over the previous one because the keyboard is large, since I have large hands and long fingers. It has two bays, so I can have a DVD-ROM and a CD burner if I so choose. The DVD-ROM allows me to watch movies. I lucked out finding this one. I bought this from www.geeks.com when they had a Greenlight Special sale. This unit is still under warranty, even though the original warranty has expired. Whoever had this laptop, prior to me, extended the warranty. I particularly like the Internet keys on the left side of the keyboard. The ThinkLight comes in very handy in dark places (like on an airplane) and not disturb anyone. It has separate up and down volume buttons. The 14 screen is adequate for watching movies. The IrDA will automatically detect and install the printer drivers. This model laptop has two USB ports, instead of one, like some others.

Cons: This particular ThinkPad is very heavy for lugging around. This unit weighs around 8 lbs. so taking it around in a college campus is not recommended. When playing a movie, the battery wears down fast, so you may not be able to watch an entire movie. It gets really hot underneath when leaving it on for so long. I highly recommend getting a laptop cooler to avoid having your lap feel the heat. The casing is black, so on a sunny day sitting outside in a wireless hotspot, the keyboard (or anything around it) will get pretty hot. If you can find a shaded area, that would cut down on the heat being drawn from the black case. The LCD screen is hard to see on a sunny day even at its highest setting. You have to be precise in using the IrDA to print documents. Its preferable to connect to a wireless print server. You have to be careful in not dropping the laptop, or pieces of plastic may break off. The speakers can get covered by your legs, when sitting the laptop on your lap, instead of on a table.

Overall: I recommend this laptop for those that have large hands. It has two USB ports, and you can add on a second battery, a second HDD, a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, a DVD/CD-RW, a SuperDisk (LS-120) or a Zip drive (250 MB) in the UltraBay 2000. If you are a heavy traveler I would advise getting a laptop that is lighter than this one.

I have been using this Thinkpad for about 2 weeks now, and I can say that of all the machines I have used, this is the best. I wanted a T60P, but i couldn't justify the additional $800 right now, I just need something to travel with.
The laptop itself was $1200
I got a 3 year accidental damage warranty for $129
And a worthless "asset tag" which is basically a sticker with my name, for $6
Out the door including tax it was about $1400
The Specs: Intel Core Duo 1.83ghz
512mb RAM/80GB 5400 RPM HD
14" SXGA screen, 4:3 ratio
Radeon x1300 64mb***
Intel PROwireless A/B/G/Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Type III PC Card slots/Express Card slot
Biometric Security system
DVD-R Ultrabay

Design:
My previous notebook was a Dell XPS, this is a lot more business like. Basic matte black, with the famous 3 color IBM logo on the lid. No fancy color changing LED's screaming STEAL ME.

Keyboard: The keyboard is basic black, with a greyish blue Enter key and the Thinkvantage button, and the famous red Trackpoint in the center. On the bottom of the screen is a row of green LEDs that display pretty much everything. Bluetooth, battery status, wireless, bt, lots of stuff. VERY comfortable to type on, not too loud or soft. The mouse buttons make ZERO noise. Only gripe I have is that the Function and Control keys are switched, so you have to be careful. It also includes the great Thinklight, you press Fn and Page Up. Not as cool as the MacBook Pro light up keyboard, but just as effective.

Screen: I chose the regular screen over the widescreen Z series of Thinkpads because pretty much all the media I have on my HD is for regular screens. The screen is actually pretty good for a "business" notebook, it isn't as sharp as a Truelife or Crystal view, but it is pretty close. All angles are viewable, except from top down.

Connectivity: You get pretty standard ports, 3 USB2, Gigabit Ethernet, 56k Modem, VGA out. No DVI out port, but you can get one on the optional docking station or buy a PC Card adaptor.

Noise and heat: Completely silent fan, you can only hear something if you put it up to your ear, it sounds like rushing air from your car A/C. The vents are located on the left top corner, most of the time just cool air rushes out, if you are playing any games, the air gets warmer, but the noise stays the same, almost nothing. I have had this on my lap with bittorrent running full blast, and it only got a tad warm.

Battery life: I haven't used all the different schemes, running on battery, wireless off, I get 4 hours, with wireless on, 3:45.
Weight: I am simply in awe. Going from a nearly 9 pound "laptop" to a 5 pounder makes a huge difference.

Speakers. Hmm, not the best, if you are in a crowded room, nobody will hear them. They are right on the bottom edge of the front lip.

Trackpad/Trackpoint. Well, you either love it or hate it. I love it, since I was used to the Toshibas Accupoint. You have an incredible 4 different ways of scrolling. You can use the trackpoint to grab a windows control arms, you can use the trackpoint and the keyboards middle mouse, you can drag your finger along the right edge of the trackpad, and, if you keep your finger sort of in the middle right of the trackpad, you can quickly scroll up and down.

Graphics: I am a hardcore gamer, but I decided against getting a gaming laptop again because of their terrible batterylife. But I avoided getting a Intel GMA sysatem, I wanted something midrange. I also am a 3d artist, i run 3D studio max and Maya, I havent installed them yet.
Here is a link to my 3D Mark01 score, [url]»service.futuremark.com/c ··· 85[/url]
***I remember when I ordered my Thinkpad, it was a 64mb chip, but 3Dmark reports it as a 128mb chip.

Software: Unfortunately my laptop didn't come with a WinXP disc, I will need to call them on that issue. It also comes with the Thinkvantage suite, and all those different programs are assigned to the Thinkvantage button, which is near the top left corner of the kb. Security, wifi, bluetooth, automated backup, and lots more functions can all be accessed by this one button.


Security: If you have secrets to hide, this thing is a freakin vault. You have the biometric scanner, along with a password for the HD. Even if someone steals your laptop, and takes the HD and tries to use it on another machine, they won't be able to get in.

Bottom line, Thinkpads rock, they are the best IMO. Yeah other laptops are fancier and include more gadgets, but IBM is the Toyota of the laptop world, a bit ugly and plain, but rock solid and reliable.
5/5 stars