Ask HN: What Thinkpad should I get?

2 points by cixa 15y ago ↗ HN

I run Maverick Meerkat on an IBM R51 and I'm thinking of getting a new laptop. I have looked into the X301 and the T410.

Having spoken to a couple of users of Maverick on the X301 (with the SSD), they have recommended the T410 with the i7 processor.

Do you have an i7 based Thinkpad or an x301 and you run Ubuntu on it? What have your experiences been?

What I'm looking for is something bombproof. The R51 has weathered a lot of abuse. How do the Lenovo builds stack up to the older IBM Thinkpads?

And if you have recommendations to non-Thinkpad laptops that fit the bill, do tell.

2 comments

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there 15y ago ↗

i use an x301 running openbsd (with a samsung ssd). i swapped out the dvd drive for a second battery and have no complaints about it.

the build quality is just like the old thinkpads (i've had the x40, x60, and x61) and the keyboards are still perfect.

sabj 15y ago ↗

I think the Lenovo build is great, they really did a good job maintaining IBM build quality. The Tx lot might be more bombproof than the Xx series, but I don't know - I haven't had the glorious chance to play witht he x201 / x301 at any great length. When I have, they felt a lot like really light and skinny versions of their bigger cousins, with the same great quality and strength. But, I might imagine that just because of the compromises to make them more road-warrior friendly, they would be a bit more fragile.