Dell v. IBM

Well my friend, after many days of configuring and looking at websites, side by side comparisons on features and weight and screen resolution and batteries and extras..... I have come to one conclusion, to get what you want will cost you but it will be well worth it if you need the speed.

The ultimate laptop on this planet is the T43p fully configured will run you anywhwere from $2,600 to $3,100. BUT for that you will have a machine that will last an extremely long time. Trust me, you can't go wrong with IBM, they have a proven notebook for any individual.

IBM's not the same. Till recently i was all for IBM because of the service quality and component quality. It's not their anymore so no use in paying the premium for the T series. T43 is a good product with a nice full size keyboard and a good graphics card. It comes with a premium and if you are lucky you might get a decent enough piece that wont have a faulty m/b or screen.

With dell 700m the graphics card is not great but then if you are not fond of a lot of heavy 3d games then it's good because it helps provide enough battery power. The keyboard is a little swkward because of the small factor and you would have to use Fn + Home / End for PgUP and PgDown. Other than that it's a great laptop. The 12" screen is a wide screen so it's not that small.

I was seriously considering a 600m or 700m myself as I am also in the process of purchasing a notebook. Maybe wee can help each other! (btw: my recent posting is named Between Dell 600m, Sony s480 and Compaq v2000z, created on 10/5, you should still be able to find it easy)

#1 I read SO many bad reviews here on CNET about the 600m having consistent problems w/ motherboard or GPU or LCD or bad build quality, numerous repairs in first one or two months... that I became completely disgusted and discouraged. Din't even feel the need to look at notebook review.com

#2 Here on CNET the 700m faired decently, but you should definately read more on notebookreview.com ,where I learned about www.recall700m.com , LOL can you believe it? a website about a single laptop! how much worse does it get?!!? Now these issues were not nearly as bad as the 600m situation, but still... I am shaky about buying it... much less than the 600m anyway

#3 I believe that the single largest reason that I am now *ALMOST* certain I will NOT purchase a DELL this time around is simply because of the 95% or GREATER customer DISsatisfaction I am seeing among ALL reviews that I have read. I for one know that their business level customer service is not too bad, as I have called myself on the job, HOWEVER, it is alarmingly common to see all types of problems and complaints with their standard customer service. *SIGH* Of course notebooks will break and stuff. I am not asking to buy a bulletproof notebook! But when something DOES break, why should I go through hell to get it repaired or replaced when I have payed ~$300 for a 3 year warranty with Accidental Damage included!!!!

Know what I'm saying?

SO ANYWAY, as for IBM, I just looked at them last night, and I felt that they were too expensive to get a nice beefy configuration (in any of their lines), and what the heck is up with not being able to get more than 20GB when you choose to do a "let me build it" X40!?!?!?!? ALL of their 12" configurations are INSANELY expensive. Either way, component for component, IBM models require major cash by comparison.
I wanted VERY much to try to buy one since a LOT of people are praising their build quality and stuff (and I dont care if my notebook looks like a Porshe, LOL), but seriously... I have no clue how they do busines with anyone outside of the upper-class. *sigh*

Anyway... That's my 6 dollars input for now. Here are my top options at the moment:

#1 - Some Sony model (probably S series), pricy but still better than the IBM situation.. but overall almost NIL complaints compared to DELL models

#2 - Compaq v2000z OR some HP model (maybe dv1000 which a lot of people are noting) - for the most part the v2000z has faired well, and I have played with it at Best Buy.... it is true that the left wrist-rest gets a bit warm, but if thats it, and then to account for varying reviews on battery life (some are excellent, others are mediocre).. then hell... not bad at all...

#3 - Asus W3V // Z63 , or W5A // Z33

Tied for #3 - Fujitsu (if I find that their 13 / 14" models can be configured with integrated bluetooth, but so far no good)

#4 Dell 700m *sigh*

I am off to the Sony Store now!

remove #4 choice Dell 700m officially now. I dont care if everything else with it is okay or not or even fabulous. I read some of the threads on Dells forums regarding the problem and treatment by customer service. I simply dont want to put up with even the POSSIBILITY of going through with it even if I purchase a different model than the 700m or 600m. All I know is that when you get LONG time (as long as 10yrs) Dell customers that are quitting on them, you KNOW something is up!!! Basically it sounds like since they have moved production // (or at least customer service) to India that both customer service AND quality of builds have just totally sunk.