Advantages: Slim, very light, IBM cachet, good screen, fantastic keyboard
Disadvantages: Build quality perhaps, ticking hard drive

...depending on the exact model you choose). The screen is a bright and very clear 14.1 inch TFT (some T42's come with a 15 inch screen, although that would then involve a slightly heavier machine. I prefer sticking to the 14.1). Battery life is generally excellent. I've got more than 3 hours' worth on the very first charge and this will probably increase over the next few days as the battery goes through its initial cycles to an optimum operating period. The manual is very comprehensive and as is the case with Thinkpads, there are quite a few user serviceable parts such as the hard drive, the DVD drive, keyboard, memory etc. I believe Thinkpads are among the most effective at this very modular easily serviceable design. And finally, the keyboard is a joy to type on - one of the best I've had. IBM are generally famous for designing great... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Light, flat and compact
Disadvantages: Being Black

...I had wanted a laptop for years but never had the courage to actually take the final step of buying one. Even after looking at countless different brands and models I still chose a desktop PC! At a new job I was given a Thinkpad T43. I found it incredibly easy to use, and as I was splitting my time between the office and home was having to carry it around with me. After months of using the laptop my desktop PC at home died and I decided to try and replace it with a Thinkpad. Because I was on a restricted budget and couldn't afford a new laptop I decided to see what was available second-hand. I was overjoyed to find a company on ebay that sells refurbished Thinkpads and bought mine a good couple of months ago. So I now have 2 laptops to use - 1 for work and 1 for personal use. The Thinkpads are light for a laptop, very flat... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: High spec for low refurb price, Windows XP Pro, great build
Disadvantages: Small hard drive, only 2 USB ports

...any other). It's highest resolution is 1024 x 768. I think this is a great laptop. I would recommend looking for a second hand one of these rather than falling for the cheap supermarket high spec laptop thing. High spec yes. High build no. Where are all the parts when you need them? IBM is a well supported brand and the T42 Thinkpad is a popular model. I can see why.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Titanium covers, light, fast.
Disadvantages: Burns a hole in your wallet, looks black and dull.

...First Thoughts Well, as I stared at the ThinkPad, my first thought was that this thing is pretty plain. After all, it was totally black and it looked nothing like the Sony VAIO. To tell you the truth, it looked like a cheap laptop. However, once I opened it, I “turned on the fun.” Processor The ThinkPad T20 is supported by an Intel Pentium III processor that has 750 Megahertz. In addition, it is also supported by Intel’s SpeedStep technology that also increased the speed of the ThinkPad’s processor. When opening files and documents, it was pretty quick unlike many other laptops. Memory With 128 MB of RAM, the ThinkPad T20 is quite impressive. Now you could have the power of a desktop in the size of a notebook. Screen With a 14.1” screen monitor, you shouldn’t worry about... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The most flexible and powerfull laptop out there
Disadvantages: the price

...I wish Santa would have left that little toy under the tree but no luck, maybe next year. IBM as made a name for itself in the laptop insdustry for leading the pack. Their machines are all work, no fun though, which as made them a favorite for business users. The Thinkpads T30s are IBM Thin-and-light series which is supposed to be a compromise between power and portability. Well in fact the only limit to the power you can have in this little thing is how deep your wallet is. the prices range from a 1500 L to 3500 L. the difference is mainly the hard drive, the screen definition either 1400x1050 or 1024x768 (all models are 14.1" by the way) and the options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CD/DVD writer combo, ibm security chip) all in all in a neat little package of 2.5 Kg. the top models are powered by an ATI Radeon 7500 with 16 Mb... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: IBM brand, simple recovery process, decent price
Disadvantages: Low specifications, battery life is questionable

...would have preferred a touchpad personally, but you don't always get what you want. With a 30GB hard drive, there's enough space for the average user. The laptop comes with a basic 128MB RAM which can be upgraded to a maximum of 1GB. A memory upgrade is recommended if you want to get the best from this machine. The screen is also good at 14.1 inches. The design and overall feel of the laptop is solid and sturdy. I wouldn't recommend throwing it around however I am sure it would stand the test of time longer than other machines. The only issue I have with this laptop is the battery power. Laptop batteries should last at least two hours, and they should have a life-span long enough for you to make your next laptop purchase. The ThinkPad series does suffer with batteries that, after a few months useage, will only hold an hour or so's worth... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Amazing performance, great battery life and features
Disadvantages: Too expensive

...Design I’ve never been a fan of IBM laptops opting for the more stylish Sony offerings (as mentioned in my earlier review of my previous laptop). However when it came time to upgrade I decided to look around and see what else is out there. Following some great reviews on various websites I decided to give IBM a shot. My biggest gripe with IBM Thinkpads is the styling. I think that the multi coloured logo in the corner always makes it look cheap, ruining the business look of an otherwise great laptop. Alas they have not changed it still, but that is probably the only issue I have with the otherwise flawless design of this t41. The notebook is quite a reasonable size for the 14.1 screen that it sports and the fans are quite and designed to pull heat away from the laptop so that you can have it on your lap without worrying about... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very economic, very smart, well built, very capable
Disadvantages: Ageing now, limited processing power, no USB2 or inbuilt wifi

...the battery I have is four years old and now giving around 60% of its original design capacity (as shown in the helpful IBM battery status app) I still get a couple of hours out of it. The design of this Thinkpad is second to none, with a titanium composite case which keeps it strong, while being smaller and lighter than many current machines. The keyboard is legendary, with great movement and comfort, and I much prefer it to my desktop. The Trackpoint pointer - or "nipple" mouse set into the keyboard - is also by and away the best pointing device ever invented for a laptop, and far quicker and easier to use than any touchpad. The "Ultrabay" is a brilliant idea too - a hot swappable bay for your choice of disk drives. Most T20's come with at least a DVD reader and a good old fashioned floppy disk drive (the standard kit on release) - but you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Enterchangeable CD drive, to Extra HDD, Handy IR Port.. Useful for data transfer.
Disadvantages: Both System Board & Disk Drive Failures.

...A very capable laptop, which gets used every day. With lots of handy features. Such as the removable CD, Floppy Drive. Great if you purchase the Cradle for an extra HDD. Which makes Backups simple! The extra large LCD display, makes your Home PC almost extinct. Also the battery is easily removable. It has a double USB port on the back along with the Com Ports and Mouse Port. Which I don’t really use because of the touch control in the centre on the keyboard. Also having the IR port on the left is hand for mobile phone data transfer. The laptop arrived in a smart carrying case. With lots of extra cables for Token Ring Connection and other bits & bobs, including the instruction manual. On the negative, the hard disk died after about 14 Months use, then a week after the system board failed. But on the whole, I would purchase again... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Reliable and solid workhorse that won't let you down
Disadvantages: No wirless, needs more USB ports

...Not the newest system on the market, but if you can get a decently priced second hand version it is well worth it. I have worked on this for a couple of years now both in an office environment and on the road and it has never let me down. Enough grunt so you do not feel as though you should have gone for the desktop option rather than a laptop. Yet, portable enough to be carried every where and not have to worry about the occasional knock. The screen is great and can even be viewed from the side. It is also large enough so, if you need to present directly from the screen, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I personally am not keen on the "nipple" style mouse pointer but then I don't like touchpads either, so I would always recommend carrying a proper mouse. The lack of enough USB ports, though a disadvantage, can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful