Lenovo ThinkPad T60 2623 (Core Duo 2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB HDD)

Pros: basic design, quality, performance

Cons: Lenovo factor creeping in but not to badly

Summary: The T43 I bought in January got stolen so I replaced it with a much better spec'd T60 for exactly the same price (both were on sale at the time). The negative reviewers have a few valid points but it's still an excellent machine, and a worthy successor to the legendary T series.

The keyboard is a bit noisier and the track point buttons seem a bit cheaper but the palm rest is more rigid and the keys are easier to see. I think a lot of the negativity stems from the fact that the edges of a new laptop always feel sharper and smooth down over time, which makes an otherwise identical replacement seem a bit lower quality.

Performance is significantly better with the same RAM and clock speed I had in the T43, and it runs MUCH MUCH cooler, especially while on the charger. Less fan noise, too.

On the downside, Google Desktop and Symantec Security are preloaded (they weren't on the earlier T43's) but what's preloaded can easily be unloaded. And I miss the lack of an LPT port but like the addition of another USB. Not too crazy about them squeezing in the useless (to me) Windows keys, which makes the Ctrl and Alt keys smaller, but some people wanted them there so what can you do.

0n balance, some things were lost and some things were gained. The Core Duo processor helps a lot with my Photoshop work (I'm a pro photographer) and the added features for the same money (extra gig of RAM plus a DVD burner and Bluetooth) more than make up for anything taken away from the T43, IMHO.

Remember folks, these are still designed and supported by the same people in the US that were there before Lenovo bought the PC division. Lenovo's management is certainly different but the engineering, design, and customer service are what they've always been as far as I can tell.

One last thing - some have complained about the new RAM access. The old way was much easier but if the new way allows for the much cooler temps and more rigid palmrest it was an excellent design comprimise.

I'm rating this a 10 to bump up the absurdly low marks others have given it, but it's at least an 8.5 in my opinion. Not perfect but still very good and the prices are attractive at the moment.