Well I'm glad people like the Lenovo as I did order a T520 last night. Thanks everyone for their suggestions, hopefully others find the discussion useful. I have found t thinkpads to be comfortable in the past when I've tried them.
I see the ctrl key layout is a bit wrong on the thinkpads... I already use a registry override to switch the windows key and caps lock. I wonder if I can switch the laptops "function" key. I'm more worried about the right control key as I use that more. Oh well at least its not trying to fit in a numeric keypad over there. Whats up with memory upgrades? 8 gigs of laptop memory is $85, but shops want more than that to go from 2 to 4 gigs. Bahh. On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 9:50 AM, Jeff Schumacher <[email protected]> wrote: > I've had a Lenovo W500 (precursor to the W510) since Nov 2008, and would > pickup a W510 without much thought. Best keyboard I've used on a laptop (I > daresay even a Mac).. it's WAY better than the Dell M4500 POS keyboard. > > On Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 9:37 AM, Erick Thompson <[email protected]> > wrote: >> >> Seconded on the function key! >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> On Mar 28, 2011, at 9:00 AM, Ade Miller <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> In the past year I’ve had a ThinkPad w510, an HP EliteBook 8540w and a >> Dell Latitude E6400. The ThinkPad is by far my favorite, for starters it’s >> build like a tank and has the nicest keyboard. The only thing I don’t like >> about it is the power consumption and the fact that the LCTRL key key isn’t >> in the right place. >> >> >> >> From: [email protected] >> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Erick Thompson >> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 8:11 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: anyone want to recommend a laptop PC? >> >> >> >> If you're going to be hauling it around a lot, I would second Jeffery's >> comment - get something with a strong body. MacBook, ThinkPad, business >> class Dell, etc. The nice thing about Fry's is that you can feel the heft of >> some of the brands, but on the other hand, they don't have a killer >> selection. >> >> >> >> If it will mainly stay on a desk, and only move once in a while, then I >> would go for the best bang for the buck. Asus and Clevo both spring to mind. >> >> >> >> Erick >> >> On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 10:07 PM, Frank Schwieterman <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> Yeah, I would just use it for dev work (and the internets). I >> honestly am not sure I'd use it too frequently, its mainly for when I >> travel. >> >> On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 9:49 PM, Erick Thompson >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> > A question to the OP - what are you looking to do with the notebook? >> > General >> > purpose? Dev? Games? A lot of what makes a good notebook depends on what >> > you're going to use it for. >> > >> > I just got a new Lenovo (T410). I've bought nothing but ThinkPad for my >> > personal notebooks for going on 7 years now. I can't say enough good >> > things >> > about them - in fact, my initial one (~7 years old) is still running >> > strong, >> > and I use it for surfing the net in the basement. They are solid, well >> > built >> > machines. I can't speak to the IdeaPads, but my wife has one and seems >> > to >> > like it. >> > >> > Erick >> > >> > >> > On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 4:39 PM, Jeffery Olson <[email protected]> >> > wrote: >> >> >> >> I recently purchased one of the 2011 macbook pros.. I like it a lot. >> >> Even with one of the entry-level 13" models (I upgraded to 8GB RAM and >> >> a Scopio Black 7200RPM HD), I have the horsepower to run a windows vm >> >> (w/ VS2010, SQL mgmt studio, etc) via virtualbox for work and do most >> >> other stuff I want (browsing, emulation/gaming). >> >> >> >> If graphics are important to you, get a 15 or 17" model, as the 13" >> >> models come only with Intel's HD3000 graphics (It's what I have and I >> >> like it just fine, but a lot of AAA games for mac will work only with >> >> models with nvidia/AMD graphics chipsets, just like on windows). Don't >> >> get RAM upgrades from Apple ($200 for 8GB upgrade on 13" MBP, vs ~$85 >> >> to DIY from amazon (I get free shipping w/ prime, so it was a good >> >> deal for me)). Their prices on SSDs aren't bad, though. >> >> >> >> Besides the MacBook Pro, the only other laptop that I know of with a >> >> unibody aluminum design is the HP Envy (and it's looking like the the >> >> 15" model won't see a Sandy Bridge update until this summer at the >> >> earliest). Aside from those two, there are several laptops on the >> >> market with magnesium or various composite chasis. >> >> >> >> In terms of the price:power ratio, a name that I kept hearing again >> >> and again during my laptop search was Sager/Clevo. They have a pretty >> >> dedicated following on the notebookreview.com forums, but because of >> >> the Series 6 chipset issues, all of the Sager laptops that were >> >> released earlier this year are only now getting into consumer's hands. >> >> There seem to be some issues with screen quality and some flex in the >> >> keyboard/chasis, but for the price it's a great bargain (just don't >> >> plan on treating them too roughly). The NP5160 and NP8130 are two >> >> recent models from Sager that provide a great value proposition (just >> >> google and read up on 'em yourself). >> >> >> >> Lenovo also has what appears to be a really nice 14" Sandy Bridge >> >> laptop (the Ideapad y460p), but it got caught up in the Series 6 >> >> chipset recall as well. I've heard a *lot* of horror stories from >> >> people about Lenovos, though. >> >> >> >> No matter what you do, if you're going to go with a new laptop, you >> >> definitely need to get a system with a sandy bridge processor (and >> >> shoot for one with a nice, not-underclocked dual core or quad-core >> >> proc.. if you want to do serious work, I'd avoid any of low or >> >> ultra-low voltage CPUs). The field is pretty wide-open at this point >> >> and only more models will hit in the coming months, so if it's >> >> something you're serious about you should do some research. A good >> >> starting place is to just google for "sandy bridge laptop" in >> >> news.google.com from time-to-time to see recent announcements. There's >> >> also a wealth of information on the aforementioned >> >> forum.notebookreview.com site. A lot of laptop loons there, but watch >> >> out for the tribalist/fanboy types. >> >> >> >> Cheers and good luck, >> >> Jeff >> >> >> >> On Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 3:00 PM, Justin Bozonier >> >> <[email protected]> >> >> wrote: >> >> > Just bought a new MacBook Pro this year (just prior to the update). >> >> > I love this computer. I spend 20-30 hours a week on it. I'm cool for >> >> > paying >> >> > for all the little luxuries, especially when it'll last 4 or so >> >> > years. >> >> > >> >> > Sent from my iPhone >> >> > On Mar 27, 2011, at 2:58 PM, Eric Ridgeway <[email protected]> >> >> > wrote: >> >> > >> >> > For PCs ive owned several different kinds... ASUS makes great pcs at >> >> > low >> >> > prices .... Ive also always had good luck with Acer laptops ... Their >> >> > desktops blow but the laptops rock .... I currently use an HP dmz3 >> >> > for >> >> > personal stuff and a Dell M4500 for work... >> >> > >> >> > The one really important thing to remember is to get a laptop that is >> >> > sturdy >> >> > .... Ne more I would only buy a metal laptop .... So MBPs keep >> >> > looking >> >> > better and better >> >> > >> >> > On Mar 27, 2011 2:50 PM, "Michael Ibarra" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > >> >> > -- >> >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> >> > Groups >> >> > "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> >> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >> > [email protected]. >> >> > For more options, visit this group at >> >> > http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> > >> >> > -- >> >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> >> > Groups >> >> > "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> >> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >> > [email protected]. >> >> > For more options, visit this group at >> >> > http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> >> Groups >> >> "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >> [email protected]. >> >> For more options, visit this group at >> >> http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> >> > >> > -- >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> > Groups >> > "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > [email protected]. >> > For more options, visit this group at >> > http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> > >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/altnetseattle?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seattle area Alt.Net" group. 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