Quick Laptop Decision

[bluejays]

There is a deal on redflagdeals posted where Lenovo is having 35% OFF on their T410 and T510 laptops. Essentially, $1800 laptops with sales and discounts are coming up to roughly $1100 (basically, with adding in the tax, that's the most I want to pay anyway). Today is the last day of the deal. Build quality is always a priority for me, and with Lenovo, there is no question. However, I've been holding off on a laptop until this summer when Apple throws in an iPod for students (which I can pull off, even though I'm not one anymore). I'm going to use this for mainly surfing the web, wordprocessing, playing movies somewhat, perhaps hook it up to the 52" etc, but I also want something futureproof.

All things considered, what would you do - get the Lenovo or hold off for a basic Macbook Pro with iPod?

If you'd choose to build the Lenovo, which model and configuration would you go for?

Last, I don't wanna get into the debate from the other computer thread, but is it worth it to go the direction of the smaller SSD drive or keep a regular 320GB drive?

[FanIn80]

SSD is definitely the way to go. Get your own, though. The new second-gen Intel drives are miles ahead of the other ones (imo).

The only thing I'll say about the rest is that the Lonovo laptop is probably the only PC laptop on the market that rivals (surpasses?) the build quality of the MBP. Putting aesthetics aside, of course.

[FlamingStuffedTiger]

Eh, I had to make this exact decision not too long ago. Ended up with a Lenovo T400 and I have no regrets. I based my decision on two main reasons:

1.) It was cheaper. I could pocket the difference or spend it on some nice upgrades (probably could have bought an ipod outright with the savings and still have come out ahead! ).
2.) I had no reason to need a mac over a PC for work/school at the time; Windows/Linux suited my needs just fine.

I could have just as easily gone with the T500, but I felt that the extra portability offered by the T400 would be kind of nice. Also wasn't terribly attached to having a larger screen.

With regards to SSD, it entirely depends on whether or not you can afford it now. It is definitely a nice upgrade, but I just feel that the price point is on the high side right now. If you can wait, I expect that prices will come down should you want the upgrade later. Hard drive replacement on a Thinkpad is a fairly trivial process anyways.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by FlamingStuffedTiger

Eh, I had to make this exact decision not too long ago. Ended up with a Lenovo T400 and I have no regrets. I based my decision on two main reasons:

1.) It was cheaper. I could pocket the difference or spend it on some nice upgrades (probably could have bought an ipod outright with the savings and still have come out ahead! ).
2.) I had no reason to need a mac over a PC for work/school at the time; Windows/Linux suited my needs just fine.

I could have just as easily gone with the T500, but I felt that the extra portability offered by the T400 would be kind of nice. Also wasn't terribly attached to having a larger screen.

With regards to SSD, it entirely depends on whether or not you can afford it now. It is definitely a nice upgrade, but I just feel that the price point is on the high side right now. If you can wait, I expect that prices will come down should you want the upgrade later. Hard drive replacement on a Thinkpad is a fairly trivial process anyways.

Thanks guys, I'm in the process of coming up with a configuration now and more leaning towards the 14" with a 9 cell battery. I also don't have a need for a large screen (actually hate it), but am probably going with the i7. Not sure about a graphics card, but more than likely I'll get the discrete one. Last minute. What to do, what to do.

[FlamingStuffedTiger]

Originally Posted by fleury

Thanks guys, I'm in the process of coming up with a configuration now and more leaning towards the 14" with a 9 cell battery. I also don't have a need for a large screen (actually hate it), but am probably going with the i7. Not sure about a graphics card, but more than likely I'll get the discrete one. Last minute. What to do, what to do.

Just a couple quick things in case you are still mulling over the configuration:

- The 9-cell battery sticks out from the back of my quite a bit on my T400. Doesn't really get in the way or anything, just some people might find it disappointing aesthetically.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenovop...7606307899151/

- I also went with a discrete graphics card on my T400. I always have the option to switch back to the integrated graphics card if i ever need to (for power/heat management reasons). Just had to pay a little bit extra for it is all

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by FlamingStuffedTiger

Just a couple quick things in case you are still mulling over the configuration:

- The 9-cell battery sticks out from the back of my quite a bit on my T400. Doesn't really get in the way or anything, just some people might find it disappointing aesthetically.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenovop...7606307899151/

- I also went with a discrete graphics card on my T400. I always have the option to switch back to the integrated graphics card if i ever need to (for power/heat management reasons). Just had to pay a little bit extra for it is all :P

Excellent. Just in the process of checking out. I'm not too sure about the heat the i7 produces along with the energy wasted, so went with the i5 540. I really wish Lenovo's looked good, but at the end of the day, practicality wins so I'm going with it it looks like. All in all, should come to about $1200 with 13% taxes included, but should last awhile.