steven n fettig's Jitterin' Thoughts

I am searching my head for the right word to describe IBM's new ThinkPad line... really... I am speechless (and that happens rarely). In a word: bad.

I have been a huge supporter of IBM products (although lately, you wouldn't have noticed due to my Apple craze). My favorite desktop replacement (up until the 17" PowerBook) was the IBM ThinkPad 770ED. It ran and ran and ran and ran... in fact, it still is running over at my cousin's house. Considering it was bought back in 1998, that is a feat in the world of computers. (It has been everything from a souped-up movie and paper writing machine for my University days in Germany to a wireless router running FreeBSD. Now it is a lowly, but important, finance manager of the Homan residence.) I thought IBM did a great job at designing computers that just work. Now, I have seen a product that may work, but is simply ugly and a design that makes puting it in a case difficult and gives it an awkward look to boot. I can see how IBM is pushing for a "more usable" desktop replacement - and I understand that market well - but this is not it. IBM, a bit of advice: keep with ideas of a light for the keyboard, webcame integrated into the top of the screen, integrated everything and great battery life - but, please, pretty please, do not bring us back to the days of the 20 lbs. brick/briefcase laptop. That is not the way to go...