Re: [PLUG] New Laptop Recommendations

[Lee Marzke <lee@marzke.net>]

I tried the knife test on my T22, and see no marks.  But we may both be 
right,  the case shell is supposedly
made of Titanium reinforced plastic!  Other models may differ.

-Lee

Excerpt from:   http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2285

Like IBM's previous T4X series models, the T43 is a textbook definition 
of physical quality.  From the first time you touch it, you know it's 
just good. The screen cover for the ThinkPad T42 is constructed of 
magnesium alloy and prevents any screen flexing.  With other laptops you 
can usually push on the back of the lid and get a worrying ripple effect 
on the LCD screen, the T43 protective case will prevent such a thing 
from happening. The ThinkPad's insides are housed in a case of 
titanium-reinforced plastic. The whole thing is held together by a pair 
of sturdy metal hinges that attach the screen and main body of the 
laptop.  These metal hinges ensure that there is no screen wobble, even 
when on a turbulent plane ride. The T43 simply looks like it's been 
designed to take a beating (although you should still avoid abusing the 
notebook when possible).



Eric Lucas wrote:
> I too am a Thinkpad fan (running W2K and Suse 9.3 pro on my X20.)
>
> I've heard the claim of "Titanium" cases before and in fact the X20 was sold
> to me as having a Titanium case... but it's plastic.  It breaks (a
> friend used a
> power seat to drive a mouse into the screen of one so I KNOW they flex and
> break like plastic.)  I'm guessing that for the most part the Titanium
> is a _color_
> choice and not a material choice.  I'd welcome info to the contrary but
> have
> yet to see it from IBM.
> [see, for example:
> http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-840&productId=4611686018425101646&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&dualCurrId=[Ljava.lang.String;@57fa8ad&categoryId=4611686018425039802
> ] and search on the word "titanium"... it's listed after "color: "
>
> If you believe you have a titanium metal case then you can try this test:  
> [Note: the following is entirely at your own risk!!]  On an unobtrusive
> area
> of the case (bottom?) take a pocket knife and press the point of a small
> blade
> against the case material.with a small amount of force.  If it's
> titanium you will not
> be able to see _any_ mark  where you did this.  If' it's  plastic, you
> will have created a small dimple
> in the plastic.
>
> Oh, and the Intel Centrino ipw2100/2200 wireless (in a Dell laptop in
> particular)
> is a bitch to get running under RH EL 3 - in fact I see claims that it's
> been done
> but have not yet seen it work..
>
> Eric
>
> Lee Marzke wrote:
>
>   
> > Joseph,
> >
> > I have an older T22 Thinkpad and love it,  running both WinXP Pro and
> > SuSE 9.3
> > DVD+/- writer, with Orinico Gold PC card.  Many internal WiFi chips
> > don't work.
> >
> > Thinkpads have titanium cases, and can often be dropped on concrete
> > without
> > damage ( except perhaps a disk head crash )  These are pretty
> > inexpensive on Ebay.
> >
> > However, every model and OS distribution has to be researched
> > individually.
> > If you can't do this I'd suggest buying one pre-loaded with Linux.
> >
> > See:          http://www.emperorlinux.com/mfgr/
> >
> > Lots of other models here as well,  check out the
> > http://www.emperorlinux.com/mfgr/sharp/meteor/    as reviewed by Linux
> > Journal.
> >
> > Also,  http://www.monarchcomputer.com/  are experts on Linux ( they
> > put together the
> > Ultimate Linux  Box )  and they are coming out with Laptops soon.  You
> > might call
> > them and ask.
> >
> > Lee Marzke
> >
> > Joseph Sands wrote:
> >
> >     
> > > I'm looking to purchase a new laptop, I'm open to the price but my main
> > > concern is that it have 802.11G, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, and be compatible
> > > with both
> > > Linux and Windows. I would like something smallish; battery life is no
> > > concern, as I can always plug it in wherever I am.  I had bad luck with
> > > wireless laptops in Linux. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Joe Sands
> > >
> > >       
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