Lenovo VS IBM for quality

By Kreuger
in Hardware Hangout

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Grand Master

Kreuger

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So most people who know a thing or two about computers, know that IBM was well known for high quality hardware, specifically in their laptops. I've been so disappointed over the years with my own issues and those of people I know that I long to have a new IBM laptop. The one I have right now is a P3 (I think) running at 1.7ghz. Hardly a powerhouse but it's no slouch either. I bought it used at least 5 years ago and when I got it there were already cracks above the hinges however they never worsened. From me stepping on it, to my kid walking and jumping on the screen and keyboard to dropping it over 5 feet onto the floor (hardwood and concrete) this thing has been a tank. I really wish I could take new parts and put them into the case but alas it also has only a 12" screen and I want something bigger. Nobody I've seen, including HP/Compaq, Toshiba, Acer, Gateway, Dell have even come close to the kind of durability I had with this machine. In fact, I still play with it from time to time. I've loaded it up with LUbuntu which boosted it's speed a little but I need something more.

Anyways, the point of this post is to ask if anyone who has experience with Lenovo's products could share some insight. Are they still the same high quality that IBM used to make or have they gone the cheap route to make you upgrade every year or two like most manufacturers of just about every type of electronics these days? Please share with me your thoughts and opinions because I am looking for a replacement soon. I've already decided which one I can afford and would best suit my needs, I just want to know if it's worth it.

I originally posted this on my blog but I decided a thread would probably get more views.

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1072105-lenovo-vs-ibm-for-quality/
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Grand Master

+jamesyfx Subscriber²

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Well, Lenovo products are definitely a lot more varied these days, so you're naturally going to get a varied build quality and performance. I would put Lenovo in the same basket as HP/Compaq when it comes to build quality.

Grand Master

djdanster

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The cheap consumer orientated Lenovo's are alright build quality but they have nothing on the beast Lenovo Thinkpads. They have awesome build quality!

https://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/gbweb/LenovoPortal/en_GB/catalog.workflow:expandcategory?issBase=ProductsCategory&issCategory=/Notebooks/ThinkPad%20notebooks

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Stetson

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I think that the Thinkpad Edge series are pretty good. Not quite as heavy duty or solid feeling as the higher end Thinkpads but they don't cost as much. If I'm remembering right the 520 is pretty thick and heavy for its specs. I think they also have 1366x768 screens, the same as a lot of 13" laptops.

Grand Master

Kreuger

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I think that the Thinkpad Edge series are pretty good. Not quite as heavy duty or solid feeling as the higher end Thinkpads but they don't cost as much. If I'm remembering right the 520 is pretty thick and heavy for its specs. I think they also have 1366x768 screens, the same as a lot of 13" laptops.

Thats the resolution my current 15" has. Not concerned much with that.
Grand Master

farmeunit

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We've got 2 SL510s at our school and have had them for 2 years. No issues. And my daughter dropped one running through our kitchen from about 3 feet. Not scratch.

I prefer the T series, but these have held up very well. There labeled as Thinkpads and I would readily buy more like them.

We've got some N series laptop from about 4 years ago. Those were a joke. All of the had keyboard issues after a year, batteries, etc..

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Stetson

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Thats the resolution my current 15" has. Not concerned much with that.

It looks like Lenovo is in the middle of refreshing their Edge line at the moment with the 420 and 520 being on the way out.

The new S430 in particular looks pretty interesting: http://www.laptoprev...nounced-2012-01 although it isn't on Lenovo's site yet (probably waiting for Ivy Bridge to be officially released).

It might be a good idea to hold on a week or two until the new models are finished rolling out with the Ivy Bridge launch. Even if the new ones don't offer anything you want over the old ones, you might be able to get the older version at a discount from the Lenovo outlet site or elsewhere.

Grand Master

TEX4S

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Lenovos build quality...is a joke. Took mine to the repair shop 3 times in 4 months because the plastic henges just gave up all the time.

What you have to understand is computers are alot like cars. You have to pay if you want the good stuff. And some companies make good stuff and junk.

The ThinkPad T-series are just as insanely reliable as they ever were. The X-series falls into this same category. Anything that is not a T-series ThinkPad - is just another laptop/desktop & you might get something that last for several years - or it might be a nightmare -

In this thread, what you are seeing are people commenting on the crappiness of Lenovo, and people mentioning the company they work for has ThinkPads.

To illustrate if the T-series are reliable and worthy of the legendary status - watch any video of NASA, Microsoft, or google -- all T-series ThinkPads. I just saw a 1 hour documentary on Google - all ThinkPad's for the non-programmers (dont know about them). When I had my interview with Microsoft - everyone in there had a T420 just like mine. NASA documentary ? you guessed it, T-series.

I am on my 3rd T-series & 4th ThinkPad and I see no reason to change.

Now for the caveat: If you want a laptop to play games & watch movies & listen to music -- look elsewhere - these are business laptops. rugged, ugly, and dependable (built like a tank) -

I sold my friend my old T-60. It has a Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, and he put a WD Scorpio Black in there and it is a great laptop. - Look around - you can get a T-60 for about $200 - max out the RAM and slap an SSD in there and youve got a great laptop.

Grand Master

Kreuger

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The ThinkPad T-series are just as insanely reliable as they ever were. The X-series falls into this same category. Anything that is not a T-series ThinkPad - is just another laptop/desktop & you might get something that last for several years - or it might be a nightmare -

The one I mentioned in the original post is an X30 so I can attest to that.
I sold my friend my old T-60. It has a Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM, and he put a WD Scorpio Black in there and it is a great laptop. - Look around - you can get a T-60 for about $200 - max out the RAM and slap an SSD in there and youve got a great laptop.
I would prefer something with a bit more power and a little more future proof.

Could someone maybe recomend me another brand then that will be around the same price and specs as the E520?

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Stetson

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Could someone maybe recomend me another brand then that will be around the same price and specs as the E520?

I don't think you'll find anything more durable for the same price, unless you look for a used model on Ebay.

The Edge line is plastic body and doesn't have the super strong internal reinforcements of the older thinkpads, but I think that they're probaby still a bit more durable than a Dell or HP you would get in the same price range. We have three (two Edge 13s and one E520) that we use for field work and they've held up pretty well.

Grand Master

TEX4S

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The older Acers are actually quite good. I had my Aspire last me about 6 years until the Nvidia chip finally burned down. Not too sure how they are holding up right now.

So you are saying because your one little computer lasted a long time - that all Acers are like that ?

Seriously ?

Well, no. They were never good, Acer is not in the business of making quality stuff. They became a large supplier from making inexpensive junk, they have always made inexpensive junk - and will always make inexpensive junk. You simply had junk that last for 6 years...

Before you ask where I get my info, as the norm when someone tells someone else they are wrong, its from experience of dealing with thousands of computers, and being an Acer warranty repair depot for a couple of years.

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Alwaysonacoffebreak

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You simply had junk that last for 6 years...

You can't be serious. The Lenovo I had, now that was junk, the acer on the other hand had only scratches on it.

Try to hold down your fanboism first and then we'll talk again.

I know lots of people who had/have Acers, theres nothing wrong with them except minor cosmetical flaws.

and being an Acer warranty repair depot for a couple of years.

And that couple of years makes you Mr. Know it all? Grow up.

EVERYTHING that is in mass-production will have flaws, the same goes for Acer, I'm not saying they are all good but calling something that last for 6 years junk and calling something that didn't last a month (which most lenovo series don't) not junk, yeah, fanboism in the highest crade.

Damn this forum is full of people that think they know everything about everything.

Grand Master

AJerman

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Are you looking for something brand new? Or would something a little older do? I ask because if you were still using a P3, anything would be a huge upgrade to you. I can get you some really good deals on Lenovo's. PM me if you're interested.

Edit: Okay, so based on the E520 comment earlier, these may be a little lower specs than you're looking for. They look like they are all C2Ds, but the price is VERY good. Just lemme know.

Damn this forum is full of people that think they know everything about everything.

Welcome to the Internet. You must be new here. :laugh:

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