New to /ibmg/ or looking for purchasing advice? (hint: don't buy anything made after 2008, it makes life easier)
If you're looking for purchase advice, READ THE BUYERS GUIDE FIRST. Then post, stating budget and requirements (e.g. size and performance).
Don't buy anything OTHER THAN IBM DESIGNED THINKPADS if you want the Real ThinkPad Experience™
Thankfully Lenovo waited several years before changing the ThinkPad line, so Lenovo branded models such as the ThinkPad T61, R61 and X61s are safe bets.
Recommended models:
T60/T61 - 14", 15", Normal size, plenty of power
X60s/X61s - 12", Comfy size, plenty of battery
(if you want more power and less battery life, opt for the non 's' edition)
R60/R61 - 14", 15", Excellent value, tied with the T60 in performance, these models have a thicker body but no roll cage
Rare ThinkPads to grab:
X40 - (new chink battery mods make it a serious option)
T40-43P - (Flexview, classic M CPU)
Why IBM ThinkPad? (also applies to other business laptops)
>Used machines are dramatically cheaper than Lenovo ThinkPads
>Keyboards had more travel and click under IBM
>Display housing and chassis had less flex and more modularity under IBM
>More LEDs
>Docking stations that easily turns your laptop into a desktop.
>Easy to repair, upgrade and maintain thanks to readily available service manuals for every model. Spare parts are easy and cheap to obtain.
>The best trackpoint (that red thing in the middle of the keyboard). Great for those who type a lot or hate swiping their fingers all over a touchpad.
>Excellent GNU/Linux & *BSD support.
>No NSA, CIA, FBI backdoors in CPU, new ThinkPads have this issue
>better aesthetic ie no gigantic bezels and greyed color, better logo/keys
In addition to producing more reliable and aesthetic ThinkPads, IBM made some of the best servers and desktops of their time, many of which can still be sourced for cases or daily use