IBM Thinkpad 600 - its a good one! (IBM Thinkpad 600)

Member Name: rajeshk

Product:	IBM Thinkpad 600
Date:	14/01/02 (3618 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: reliable, brilliant driver support, trackpoint

Disadvantages: repairs are pricey

I own an IBM Thinkpad 600 - and I think it
is brilliant and am very pleased with it.

If you need a one line summary: Go buy one!

I am writting this with the intention that someone may buy it second hand (since I don't think IBM sells this model anymore)

LCD - Brilliant - no problems.
Remember if you have to replace
the LCD it is very costly!
So check before you buy.
Apparently it is easy to
swap them with another one!

Keyboard - Okay
It can be connected with an
external keyboard.

Mouse - IBM has a 'trackpoint' instead
of a flat touch-pad. I did not
like the 'trackpoint' at first
but it grows on you and take
a while getting used to it. But
after you have mastered it - it
is BRILLIANT.
Much much better than a
'touch-pad'!!!
Styling - Okay - not stlylish like
Apple's iBook or Sony.
Battery - This is good. Remember over time
as with all batteries they
will need replacing! Check
for prices. They can be pricey!

Power Adapter - This works okay. Does not
feel overheat etc..
A lot of people in the office
see to loose their power
adapters that
Support - The support is just brilliant!
IBM's web site has just about
every driver for Operating System
Win 98 - Win 2000. For Win 2000
most drivers are built into the
OS.
I have REBUILT these
laptops from scratch with
different Operating systems
and found the driver for all
of them. Even BIOS update
s etc..
Most other vendors don't
really provide driver
updates after you bought
a machine.

Infra Red - great on Windows just point
and print. Infra Red support
on NT is crap.
Ports - Yes they have everything you
could want - USB, PS/2, external
monitor, floopy driver connector,
etc...

The only port lacking is a
Network Card - so you might
need to buy PCMCIA card.

Hard disk - Mine had 4Gb. Wish I had more!

CD Drive - 24 Speed - Good. it is
removable - you can swap
it with other devices.

Docking station - not tested.

External Monitor - There is a key press
to change from LCD to
external monitor or both.

Memory - If the machine has been
upgraded, check the memory
is available to use. I have
heard some brands are
not compatible.
Weight - a little on the heavy side.

The second hand IBM market is very
good - you pick up a lot of stuff at eBay.co.uk etc...

How does it compare with Dell and Sony's.
Well the Sony is a b****ch to rebuilt and
the same speed CPU runs slower than
IBM Thinkpad.

Dell are a bit funny when they are connected
to a projection system eg they are incompatible - Dell have a special module. It only effects a few models....

It is a premium brand - the repair service is good. Repairs can be pricey (especially
motherboard and LCD) - they might cost more
to replace then buying a second hand laptop.
But the service department do a good job.

Summary: