Well, I'm selling my tosh and my macbook and pooling the money for a new laptop. My original choice was going to be a thinkpad T400, because of it's LED screen, 2.8 ghz core 2 duo, DDR3, switchable graphics, out the roof battery power and etc.
Upon further investigation, it seems as though Lenovo has cut corners on the production quality of the new T series, with things like construction, keyboard stability, solid steel roll cage, and body flex taking a back seat to the traditional thinkpad standards. I watched this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8sOO-8LP4E&feature=related

And it seems as though my fears are confirmed. Do I have to make a choice, solidity or performance? I was considering the T61, which has great features like battery life and solid construction.... but alas no stock DDR3 and no LED backlit screen. And there are other functions only available on the new T400.

I want chunky, blocky, solid performance goodness that will last. Is there another brand I should consider, is thinkpad dead, and are my fears warranted regarding the T400?


Thanks for your replies.


[blind]

I considered a new Lenovo to replace my elderly Dell D600, but ended up buying a reconditioned Dell D630 because of similar reasons you found out. I played with a Lenovo and it just didn't feel anywhere near as solid as IBM's usual bombproof standard.

I've got to say that IMO, Dell's new Latitudes are actually built better than Lenovo's current offerings. No chassis flex at all (cast magnesium base), extremely solid keyboard and just general good design.

Just purchased a T61 off ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140287113639&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004

2.4 ghz dual core, 320 gb hd, 2 gb RAM, three year full warranty, and the 9 cell battery pack. For $753, that sounds pretty dandy to me.

[blind]