Budget notebook for CAD?

[geb]

Hi,

There are probably a few threads on this topic but I searched for T61 and came back empty. I've got a five year old Toshiba laptop that I've been learning Google Sketchup on for a few months. I'd like to get into CAD a little further for patent applications and product prototyping.

 

Researching an upgrade and trying to stay within a 1200USD budget, I pretty quickly settled on the Lenovo T61 onsale direct for about 30percent off. The only laptop within my budget with invidia quadro graphics (are lesser cards a deal-breaker for CAD?). Even upgrading to winxp pro (downgrade but at cost) and a 7200rpm drive, I was still under 1100USD. So far so great! Then I spent about three hours reading horror stories online about preformance problems, glitches, blue screens, widespread problems with "off center screens", frustrating and beligerent customer service, etc, etc. Maybe that's why they're steeply discounted?

 

Can anyone comment on the validity of such reviews? Is Lenovo getting unfairly picked on? Are there any other business class notebooks in this price range with specs that I can grow into if I start getting into CAD professionally? I'm not brand loyal, but I would want to stick with a reputable name.

 

Thanks so much. Brad

[Tankman]

The Thinkpad™ is a great laptop.

 

There's a reason it's nicknamed the "Brick!"

 

Have owned many laptops, stickin' with the "Brick!"

Excellent screen resolution, speed.

 

Using both ACAD 2005 & 2007. Nice!

 

Welcome to the fourms!