Question:
ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
I'd really appreciate it if you could comment if you have seen both asus & thinkpad laptops before...or have used a transflective laptop screen outside. You could really help out with my decision a lot! ;-)
Here's the situation: I'm a student, and I've been looking at laptops forever, right? And I've virtually settled on 2 extremely good laptops, but it's too tricky for me to decide without being able to examine both of them side-by-side...instead, there is no store or person i know of in my hometown that has either a Thinkpad or an ASUS.
Let me just jump to my 4 overall options...which one would you pick and why?
1) $ 960 IBM Thinkpad T60 w/out Transflective screen
2) $1200 PortableOne SX w/out Transflective screen
3) $1360 IBM Thinkpad T60 with Transflective screen
4) $1600 PortableOne SX with Transflective screen
Pretty difficult choice for me considering I can't see either one of these in stores but will have to use this laptop for at least 3 more years...and i feel like the transflective screen is something I'd just have to see and test around with outside & fluorescent lighting. I just dunno.
Durability, build quality, screen quality, overall feel, & linux compatibility are prolly the largest factors for me but, I have never seen an ASUS laptop, so I have no sense in comparing the two different laptops.
What should I do, guys?
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
Well if you're going to put them in a fight together, at least pick something it's it's own weight class..... I'm not sure if oyu're looking at the 14 or 15" T60, but both are bigger than the Z35.... so that isn't fair at all.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
I'm definitely only considering the 14"...less than a pound difference between the two. Neither is ultraportable, but both are very portable! ;-)
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
never seen a Z35, but the T60 is built like a beast. I honestly would not feel bad at all punching, kicking, dropping or playing frisbee with my roommate's T60. It is by far the most solid notebook I've ever felt. Not a single part on that thing will flex.
To my knowledge, from asking asus dealers, no Asus notebook can really compare to that. Though, do you really need that kind of build quality? I didn't, and picked my Asus A8Jm for its power, portability and very nice selection/placement of ports.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
I had a T60 and I chose Asus over it but if I get to do it again, I would definitely go for IBM instead. Asus keyboard wears out after two months of used and it freezes at time.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
A better comparison would be a Z35 vs the X60, or the A8J or W3J vs the T60.
The Thinkpad X series models always loose in my eyes because they don't include an optical drive - it costs extra. If Asus can include a USB external optical drive with their single spindle systems, I don't see why IBM has to charge you $200 for the X6 dock and $170 for the optical drive.
I went with my Z33 over an X40 mainly due to the optical drive and the cost difference for the configuration I could get. I got a P-M 2.0Ghz and a 7200RPM drive for the price of an X40 with a 1.2 ULV P-M (no other options) and a 4200 RPM 1.8" HD (no other options).
Asus keyboard wears out after two months of use
Going on a year and I sure haven't noticed that.
Anyway, the T60 is built like a tank, so if you're careless with your electronics I would suggest getting it along with IBMs accidental damage protection. If you don't tend to break things, I would get an Asus.
PortableOne, if I remember correctly, had one of the highest mark-ups of any of the dealers when I was shopping around. You might get a better price on the Z35 with another dealer.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
Down, Up, Right, Up, Left + Select
Okay I'm ready.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
Personally, I'd go with the T60. My friend has a Z35... and although it's a nice laptop, it's by no means spectacular. The T60 is a more complete computer with great build quality.
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
If you want to compare a T60 14" to something - it would be the W3jp..... not the Z35...
Answer:
Re: ASUS Z35F -vs- Thinkpad T60...FIGHT!
Honestly I find *new* Thinkpads overpriced for anyone but a true "road warrior" who is constantly abusing their machine.
I frequent a general technology forum where they insist on recommending "Get a T series" to EVERY laptop inquiry. Some guy was looking for a laptop as a gift for a sister the other day and was immediately swamped with people saying "get a Thinkpad." This one was my favorite:
Have you looked at Lenovo yet? The T60 2623-D6U can be had well within your price range, and it had a 3 year warranty. The specs:
T2400
14.1" SXGA+
512MB
80GB
DVD+/-RW
6-Cell battery
I think they run $1499 ~ $1599 right now.
Those specs are PATHETIC for a new laptop at that price, 3-year warrenty or not.
Combine that with the difficult to navigate Lenovo site and IBM can just go sit in a corner as far as new purchases are concerned.
Used is another story... I've had good luck with used Thinkpads. The A31p has proved the most sister-proof of any PC she has had so far. :P