Is there any merit to the many complaints I've found in user reviews of the T61?

Question

I fell in love with the T61 by spec. I'm also am very fond of the idea of having a solid black laptop. I started laptop life with an old toshiba that was solid colored and had a trackpoint cursor. Two things that have deeply disappointed me over the years are the disappearance of that cursor and the introduction of cheesy chrome and silver painted panels. Within a month of use they show scratches and wear and look like hell. What's the point of that?
So I went searching for the best budget laptop (1200USD range) for use primarily with cad software. I soon found myself at the Lenovo direct site where the T61 with downgrade to winxp, nvidia quadro graphics, and a faster 7200 hard drive still came in under 1100USD. Wow!
Then I did the usual for me. I researched it to death.. literally. I discovered a really withering load of complaint about this laptop in a number of review sites. "Off center" screen was a common complaint. Constant system crashes. Hardware incompatibilities with Vista. Nightmare scenarios with customer support (this is typical of any computer product, but the level of vitriol and the specificity was pretty scary). Many comments from longtime IBM lovers seemed to suggest that Lenovo has not lived up to the marque.
I'd really love to be well disabused of these perceptions. The T61 on sale right now at Lenovo direct seems to be a really unbeatable value. Please help me with considered responses and not defensiveness. I'm completely open minded at this point. Where are all of the negative reviews coming from? 
Message Edited by bjamesw on 10-11-2008 04:47 PM

Answer 1

Prior to ordering my T61, I read all the same scary reviews.  I loved the T61's specs and everything about it on paper, but was truly apprehensive because of these reports.  Despite my fears, I ordered and held my breath.  To ease the nerves, I bought an extended 3 year warranty from Square Trade.
Well, I've had my T61 since April, 2008.  It is a solid, dependable, predictable, well made, beautiful piece of equipment.  I have not had one single, physical problem with this computer - and not one single blue screen of death.  I use this computer for many hours every day.  And I'm not afraid to install many different apps on it.
I’ve never had to call or email Lenovo to report a problem. I’ve really had nothing to complain about.
Think about this: Most of these negative reviews are written by idiots who don't know what they are doing or talking about, and who shouldn't be allowed to touch a computer.  Typically, these naysayers are impatient, do rash things, install software incorrectly, don't treat equipment with proper care, and/or have unrealistic expectations.  As an IT professional, I’m well acquainted with the things that “just happen” in the user community.
Read the critiques published by professional reviewers – and there are many. Big difference, because these reviewers know what they are doing. Sure, there are some things they don’t like, but you read none of the ghoulish horror stories about crashing, won't boot, and blue screens of death that the idiots publish. It’s so unfair when these nincompoops make negative comments about equipment or software, dragging names thru the mud, when they themselves are the source of their own grief. So when reading reviews, consider the source.
I ordered Windows Vista Business, and I like it a lot. No major problems, no complaints.  I can't understand all the negative press.  Again, consider the source when reading the unfavorable reviews. Some people are compelled to be snobs.
The offset screen: I wondered about it too because of the reviews, but it is truly a non-issue.  Your eyes focus on the screen, not the bezel. The (slightly) unequal bezel doesn't even catch your eye, or register with your brain.  Forget about it.
I bought a loaded T61 from Lenovo direct:  T8300 (2.4GHz) with the 14.1WXGA +TFT, 7200 RPM 160GB drive, 2GB  RAM, Turbo Memory, Bluetooth, Fingerprint reader, larger battery, etc.  The price was $989, plus I got another $40 off from FatWallet.com. Go online, check for discount coupons everywhere before you order.
Is everything perfect?  No, Lenovo is pretty good with maintaining its system software, but there’s a little room for improvement.
Overall, I have no regrets owning my Lenovo T61. I continually compare it to other laptops.  I love it. The only thing I regret purchasing is the extended warranty. I don't think I'll need it.
Message Edited by BudLP on 10-13-2008 10:38 PM