<p>You make a good point, but still, I'm quite vain. Though I'm not making any decision until I've had the chance to properly tool around with them at the store.</p>
<p>I think the industrial design of the thinkpads are great. They just look like they belong when you see them sitting on a desk. The black titanium composite case has remained that way for so long becuase its a damn good case that protects your laptop. Which would you rather have, some flashy plastic that snaps off or some clean cut but simple titanium?</p>
<p>As to the best buy warranty program. 399 for 3 batteries seems like a lot still because I would give each battery more than 1 year. The problem with li-ion is that their "lifetime" is based not on how much they are used but how old they are so you cant just take those yearly batteries and hold on to them, they start aging as soon as the chemicals are mixed. Other than that, the best buy warranties simply suck and are such a ripoff. Get a computer from IBM and you get a longass warranty that actually covers things (my lease-return thinkpad has already gone through a business upgrade cycle and its still under warranty)</p>
<p>
[quote]
I bought mine at Best Buy and when you buy their insurance type thing, (like $399 for three years) you get a free battery every year.
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Not quite what you think. That warranty is only if your battery conks out unexpectedly for some odd reason. Best Buy will NOT replace your battery for free due to normal wear and tear. When your battery is dead after the normal two or three years, they're not going to give you a free battery to replace it. You're going to have to cough up the $$$.</p>
<p>BTW, any warranty that is not from the manufacturer (such as Best Buy's and Circuit City's) are all rip-offs, scams, etc. NEVER get one of those warranties. If you don't belive me, just check out Google for some of the many horror testimonials associated with such warranties.</p>
<p>Most IBMs that are for school come with 3 or 4 year warranties standard, no extra price. And they are really quick to repair broken laptops. If you think that Best Buy has a good warranty you have another thing coming. Also finding and IBM in a store to try it out is very hard. Thats why IBM gives you 30 days to try it. If you don't like it you return it and they refund everything. Its extremely rare for people to do it though, since they are so so good.</p>
<p>I have had a VAIO PCG-GRV616G for 3 years, and I´ve never wanted to kill it so far. It´s sturdy and works really okay for the fact that it´s already 3 yrs old.
Wouldn´t buy one now, though - don´t need those Intel Centrino processors.
What I´d need is a powerful PC that is just so light that I can drag it around if I need to without breaking my back.</p>
<p>I have a sony vaio and I love it. If you are willing to spend the money. Go with sony. They look good and work well. Best brand imo.</p>
<p>I have a PCG-K27, and it is the love of my life. It's kinda big and heavy and the battery life isn't too great, but it's fast, and the screen's absolutely gorgeous. We always have movie nights in my room because my laptop screen is sooo pretty :) I've never had ANY problems with it.</p>