No problem. Just remember if you get the mini CD drivers for the unit, don’t put it in your mac with a slot loading CD-Rom. Either download the drivers and stick it in another computer and zip up the files and copy it to your mac. Will try to check out VMware tonight.
I think I might have an external optical drive.
So if I use Boot Camp, partition the drive and load a copy XP onto the computer, will I need VMware?
second the lenovos/IBM Thinkpads. I have a T42 that I am using right now. I got our IT dept to add some additional RAM and its great.
I know some folks that use Mac’s as their business laptop, but these guys are good enough with computers to be their own IT support. Large corporations do not support mac’s by and large. Plus, and this is nitpicking, I don’t like the touchpad on Mac’s, I much prefer the little eraser/touchpoint on the IBM’s.
I also have an iBook G4. not as durable, battery life used to be solid, but the battery wore out after a year (did not hold a charge AT ALL) and had to replace it. I do like the Mac OS and love most Apple products…but as far as peace of mind and durability with traveling, I’d take my Thinkpad every day and twice on Sunday.
tomas…i don’t know about any of the other specs but i have a work-issued lenovo that i beat (not intentionally of course) the ^%$& out of and it has never skipped a beat. in my experience the durability of the lenovo is exceptional.
Thank you. You sound like you know what you are talking about. For my needs, I am liking the sounds of the IBM/Lenovo T42 more and more. Will start looking into this.
Your welcome.
Just as an FYI, you probably won’t find any T4x series models anymore but rather T6x (such as a T61) series. I am writing this on a T60 but I think the current models are T61.
Stick the the T or X series. These are the diamonds in the laptop line. They have some new models to appeal to home users and some small business users but these have yet to be tested much in the market. The R series is ok but again, not nearly the fame of the other two series. Also, be sure to get the 3 year next business day warranty upgrade unless it is already included (some models have it included) as it is usually well worth it. It is not accidental damage (you can get that separate but we take our chances on that), but it covers failure of all the hardware and it does happen from time to time. On a laptop, there are 3 major components: motherboard, monitor and hard drive. If either of the first two fail, you may be better to buy a new laptop if you don’t have the warranty. This goes for any brand, not just Lenovo. The good thing is that the warranty, support, customer services on Lenovo is 2nd to none.
By the way, I would add just for those that are reading this, Lenovo/IBM is not nearly as regarded in their desktop line. They have some nice workstations (very high end desktops designed for heavy graphical use but I have never had great experience with the standard IBM/Lenovo desktops. I buy HPs business line for our desktop needs. With all of this being said, since Lenovo purchased IBMs desktop/laptop line, I know they have made changes in the desktop line in an effort to improve them and make them appeal to more business and home users but I have not tested any and likely will not. HP is just fine for our desktop needs and I try to avoid Dell if I can.
GE issued Panasonic Toughbooks to its Field Services Engineers, which I was at one time. Let me counter your points and state that they must be the most expensive pieces of shit that exists on the market. Motherboard and hard drive failures constantly. I had 2 and 3 respective replacements in probably 1.5 years. This was fleet wide. GE eventually went to Dell.
I try to avoid Dell if I can.
Why? And why the preference for HP on the desktops?
Thanks.
Do you recall what model number of Toughbook that you were issued and had problems with?
Doing this will allow you to be in either Mac OS or Windows XP but not both at the same time (which is what VMWare or Parallels would allow), so the answer to your question is ‘no’.
Dell used to be (many years ago now) a leader in quality and support. Not so much anymore. They are the low cost leader and my personal experiences with their support have been horrable. Therefore, I avoid them whenever possible. They would fight and fight and almost wear you down and give up before sending a technician to repair. I have one example where more than 8 hours were spent on the phone “troubleshooting”, being on hold, getting hung up on, etc for an obvious issue that was under warranty. The computer needed a new motherboard. My boss (it was his home computer), eventually gave up and bought a new computer.
From a business perspective, there are 3 major players for desktops/workstations. Lenovo, HP, Dell, and then there those such as Gateway, Acer and others that represent a much smaller % of the business. Since I have not had great experiences with Dell or Lenovo desktops (support on Lenovo/IBM is still very good but the systems seem to have issues), that leaves HP and we are resellers of HP too so that has some influence although not that much. Therefore, the last number of business desktops I have been buying are HP. I don’t really care about saving $50 to go to a smaller brand or a white box.
Hey Tom,
Did you pick a laptop? Just curious to hear which way you went since I am in the market for one as well (and my needs are similar).