Notebook Nirvana
Written: Jan 01 '02
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Pros: It ALWAYS works perfectly! The screen is very sharp, love the keyboard light!
Cons: It does get a bit hot in your lap, but it's great during the winter!
The Bottom Line: This has got to be one of the finest pieces of technology available. The customer service is exceptional as well.
Consider it.....
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| rtabas's Full Review: Lenovo ThinkPad T21 2648 (26488BU) PC Notebook |
First of all, I am assuming that you have already read several epinions reviews on this and similar wonderful IBM notebooks, so I will dispense with most of the techno-specs, other than the most basic and what, could perhaps be relevant to this specific machine, my own T-21. Rather, I would prefer to write about the notebook, which I have been amazed at and enjoying immensely for the last 10 Months.
In a sheer fit of frustration over the" Sony Vaio from hel" which I had been using for the previous 15 months, I had just "had it" with this particular piece of junk as well as Sony's ineffective & indifferent customer support. The Warranty was up and they wanted to charge me for assistance with issues, which they weren't able to correct for a year, so...I just said to my self.. OKAY, THAT'S IT!! Immediately I went on the IBM website and subsequently telephoned IBM (after checking epinions reviews, of course!). Less than half an hour later I was happily anticipating the arrival of this supposedly wonderful machine! I have to admit, after the Sony experience, I was quite skeptical of ANYBODY'S notebooks...it truly was THAT BAD!
As I had previously alluded to, I have had this T-21 for about 10 months. My equipment is: P111 800mhz, 256 Megs sdram, 20 gig HD, V90 modem, 8 Meg video card & DVD. I'm running Windows 98, 2nd edition. I realize that this review is to target the 850 chip, but there was no category for the 800 chipped model running win 98 2nd edition, but rather for the win 2000 version...
Some of the many wonderful things which I love about this notebook (besides it's stone-cold reliability) are:
1.The mechanical speaker volume control buttons, right on top of the keypad, very convenient!!
2.There is this wonderful keypad light along the top of the screen which allows me to work in the evening
without waking anybody...no additional light source is needed.
3.Easy view screen brightness adjustments.The screen is also very evenly lit and sharp.
4.Wonderful keypad "feel"
5.Though it was at first hard to get used to, I now cannot imagine giving up the track pointer system for the "glide pad" system which I was previously using on my last three notebooks.
6.NO MORE "BLUE SCREENS"! Thank you "Big Blue"!
7.DVD which actually works smoothly and properly
When you order from IBM, you have the option to somewhat customize your machine, should you want a different operating system, bigger hard drive, more (or less) RAM and there are a few optional software suites which are available, as well as extra batteries and docking ports. If you happen to be an IBM share holder, you let them know and if you, in fact qualify, you will save an additional percentage on the cost of your order!!
I opted for the equipment described above, with the exception of the ram; I started with 128megs and installed an additional 128megs, which I added via the very convenient access door on the bottom of the unit, which is removable with one screw.
This computer has performed as close to FLAWLESSLY as I could possibly imagine! I have seen perhaps 2 "blue screens" the whole time that I have owned it. These were a daily multiple occurrence on my old Vaio!
I am running a lot of software on this laptop, specifically, 5 different photo programs, MS Works, Sun "Star" office, 2 different CD "burning" programs, antivirus as well as the "Ontrack" utility suite. There are 3 different browsers as well as Internet access and Ethernet via my PCMCA card. Several "twain" drivers, including my scanner and my son's digital camera as well as mine are also installed. Despite all of this software, some of which is repetitious, I have no problems. I think that some of the factory installed software from IBM is a big help here, namely "config safe" as well as PC Doctor.
A few weeks ago I noticed a thin line on the bottom of my screen, about 1/4 of the way up. It was, at first, intermittent but shortly it became a full time thing. I called IBM tech support and got a very pleasant and equally knowledgeable representative. With her guidance, I had this computer pulled apart to try and snap the cable from the screen into the motherboard, unfortunately, this was not my problem, so she gave me instructions on returning the computer to IBM. The next day (Monday) Airborne messenger service arrived at my office with a box which was specific to my computer, I packed it up and it was returned promptly and perfectly fixed on Wednesday! WOW!! What service!!
I heartily recommend the T-21 & predecessors to anyone who wants a seriously good laptop. I am sure that my 800Mhz. is old news and bigger and faster chips are here, and While IBM's pricing may be a bit higher than many other companies on the market today, I really believe that they make a superior product and when it isn't right, they get it right for you, in the most non-invasive and expeditious way possible! I, for one, am sold on IBM and the T-21.
Good luck to you, whichever notebook you choose!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2700 appx.
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 701-800
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-ROM
Hard Drive (GB): 13-20
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Epinions.com ID:
rtabas
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Location: outside Philly, Pa.
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 2 members
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