Thinkpad R51 Comments

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi There,
I'm really interested in the 1.6Ghz Thinkpad R51 with the 1400X1050 15.0
Flexview screen. The model # is 1836BBU.

I will also be purchasing a external 250GB 7200rpm Usb 2.0/Firewire drive to
do live recording with.

Any comments on this laptop would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

In news:1099777637.052315.295680@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com
gman1120@yahoo.com wrote:

> I don't recommend buying this model. I bought an R51 back in May and
> it has been a nightmare. After numerous problems and many calls to
> tech support, they finally replaced my unit with another one and it too
> has been problem after problem. This long time IBM customer is done
> with them and am heading to Dell.
>

What problems, specifically? I'm using a relatively new R51 at this
instant and am curious what might happen :-)

Which R51 did you have? It looks like there's a bunch of really different
machines that are sold with that same model number. Mine's an 1836.

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@visi.com

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I have one of these with 1.5 Centrino setup and it seems slow to me but
otherwise quite nice, though I don't use it very much.


"John Doue" <notwobe@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Vfejd.573$nt.477@read3.inet.fi...
> Bert Hyman wrote:
> > In news:1099777637.052315.295680@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com
> > gman1120@yahoo.com wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I don't recommend buying this model. I bought an R51 back in May and
> >>it has been a nightmare. After numerous problems and many calls to
> >>tech support, they finally replaced my unit with another one and it too
> >>has been problem after problem. This long time IBM customer is done
> >>with them and am heading to Dell.
> >>
> >
> >
> > What problems, specifically? I'm using a relatively new R51 at this
> > instant and am curious what might happen :-)
> >
> > Which R51 did you have? It looks like there's a bunch of really
different
> > machines that are sold with that same model number. Mine's an 1836.
> >
> FWIW, I have bought my first Thinkpad R51 three weeks ago. My choice was
> dictated by the need of a reliable machine, one that can be serviced
> almost anywhere (I travel a lot in Europe, and Finland, especially) and
> one that is relatively easy to resell. I considered Toshiba too.
>
> After three weeks, here is what I can say:
>
> - As expected, the quality feel is here.
> - Display quality is outstanding
> - I "surgically" removed the ugly red thing (I won't tell you what I
> call it when discussing IBM with a friend who addicted to those
> ThinkPads)which is between the G and H. The touchpad is fine,although a
> little rough to the finger compared to the one I have on my faithful
> Twinhead.
> - My main beef is three fold:
>
> 1/when you first start the machine, the system installs without giving
> you ANY option. You end up with NTFS (even if like me, you prefer FAT32
> for various reasons, don't start a fight with me here).
> 2/ No explanation whatsoever is given about the ton of software that
> loads automatically. By trial and error, I finally eliminated almost all
> programs that loaded with Windows. It would be nice to know what does
what.
> 3/ I find incredible that IBM would not automatically give a DVD with
> all drivers and software on it. Ok, you can order it from IBM but when
> you pay around 1.5 grand for a machine, is it too much to ask to have a
> DVD ? I spent two hours backing up the OEM partition on CD's before I
> deleted it.
>
> This being said, in all fairness, IBM's site for support is probably one
> of the best. But do not expect too much from automated solutions, there
> are a bit limited ...
>
> SP2 was not installed, nor on the OEM partition. I downloaded it and
> installed it, after converting back to FAT32 the NTFS IBM forced down my
> throat.
>
> Keyboard: good feel, but very awkward location of the delete, PgUp and
> PgDn keys.Ok, since for some reason, the control and capslock keys have
> for many years been moved in the wrong place, it looks like logic does
> not any longer preside to the placement of keys. But having to move the
> hand all the way across the keyboard to reach delete and Pgup and Pgdn
> is stupid. Add to this the fact that IBM added two Browser keys which I
> doubt anyone will use ... Ergonomics, is this a word that does not carry
> anymore weight in design ?
>
> The fan is on most often at a very slow speed, almost inaudible. Some
> say this is because of the Video board (ATI Radeon 9000 on my machine).
> This could be true. But basically, it is not a nuisance, just makes you
> wonder what the point is to use this energy saving technology and then
> to lose a good part of its benefits in a fan ... Battery life is very
> dependant upon your choices for the brightness of the screen. On
> average, I'd say 3 hours.
>
> I certainly recommend this machine for people who need a dependable
> laptop, one that will do the job with the benefit of an outstanding
> display and a very good keyboard. But, as I guessed, this is not a
> machine for the gaming enthousiast, nor for someone who expects
> outstanding sound: it is more than adequate, but nothing to write home
> about.
>
> For more details, just ask me privately, I'll give you a very candid
> opinion.
>
>
>
> --
> John Doue

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

lophiomys wrote:

> gman1120,
>
> I have a R51 1829 EHG and despite the pulsating fan problem,
> which was only heard in quiet envrionments and which is resolved by
> now, it is a * fantastic notebook *!
>
snip


Could you give us more details about what you did to resolve this
pulsating fan problem ?

--
John Doue