ThinkPad T or X series

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philfromMPC

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Hi all,
I need some help deciding and could use your help. First let me describe what I use my laptop for now. I need word processor (apart for MS office, I also run cygwin so I can use emacs), web surfing (mainly for research, news, etc., and very rarely youtube videos), and reading pdf articles and ebooks. So my needs are very basic. I need a physical keyboard (tablet with usb keyboard is also fine).

I currently use a troubled T410, but the battery died and there is an issue with the keyboard. I bought it used so I made some mistakes but it works fine otherwise and I learned what to look for in used ThinkPads.

I am looking at 3 options: Buy another T410; buy a used x201; get a cheap tablet like the Microcenter WinBook.

This is complicated by the fact that I am in a tropical country for some time where I don't have easy access to repairs. I am considering the X series ThinkPad and the tablet because the T410 is feeling heavy. I like the 410 but I have a feeling that Lenovo messed up the software with their bloatware.

I don't know how reliable a tablet will be (my budget is not high) and I have no with the ThinkPad X201 (or the generation that generation after that).

Any opinions or experiences you can share will be greatly helpful. Thanks
 
I carried an X301 for years, and I and my coworkers found the X301 and X201 very reliable.
 
A battery and keyboard are easily replaced, reasonable parts.
 
TechLarry said:
A battery and keyboard are easily replaced, reasonable parts.
Click to expand...

Not really. The keyboard pins on the mobo are bent and its seems to turn itself on automatically from full shutdown. Not an issue with virus or something; maybe power driver or a short somewhere.
 
philfromMPC said:
Not really. The keyboard pins on the mobo are bent and its seems to turn itself on automatically from full shutdown. Not an issue with virus or something; maybe power driver or a short somewhere.
Click to expand...


Ah. You didn't mention that at first :)
 
I've used the hell out of my x230 for the last several years. For a significant period of time it was my primary machine. I opened/closed it multiple times a day, ran around a lot with it physically, tossed it in cars, left it on 24/7 while doing all of the above, and just generally abused it.

Still a fantastic machine. I was impressed enough with the X-series line that I have no intention of buying anything else, unless I once again go to using a laptop as my primary machine (unlikely). Before the x230 I had a Thinkpad T61p, which was similarly amazing, but the screen on it eventually died and rather than pay to get a replacement screen I decided to upgrade to a smaller model.
 
The T61 was about the last ThinkPad that really felt like a ThinkPad. Starting with the T400, and REALLY starting with the T410, that 'feel' of being built like a brick shithouse started to fade away. I don't even think T410's forward have Display Cages any more.

My T410 creaks and squeeks from the palm rests every time I use it. Has done that since the day it came out of the box.

Lenovo still makes a decent laptop. I just don't know about calling them ThinkPads any more. You have two of the last of the really great one's.

I find it hard to say, but I think my HP Spectre X360 Special Edition is built better than today's ThinkPads. I don't feel like that about all HP's though. I work on too many EliteBook's and Zbooks to get cozy with them.

And HP, please source a damn Smart Card reader that's worth a shit. Please?
 
Thinkpad Xs are getting better IMO. On the X220 they finally did away with the "break-me" latches and just went to a magnet.

X220s are seeing some cheap dumps on eBay, so I'd try to get into a 220 if you want to go the X route. 201 and 210 can be hard to find genuine batteries in good condition.

My wife has been through so many X series... she drops them every day, I swear.
 
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