Lenovo R500 or SL400 Opinions?

holdennutta · 15th March 2009, 4:38 PM

Hey guys,

I'm on the lookout for a full sized laptop for <$900. Yep, very limited. At the least I want a C2D. RAM/HDD dont bother me as I can upgrade them myself.

So far these two have taken my eye (I like the old school thinkpad design and build (and the nipple

)):

http://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/pro...oducts_id=1824
For the R500 and

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...id=5&sid=36856
For the SL400.

Anybody have experience with these? Size/weight doesn't bother me. I like the R500's metal hinges and non-fingerprint magnet plastics. SL400 seems a little more liberally specc'd but has plastic hinges and a glossy lid.

Both are 6cell batteries and have the same resolutions for the displays. Keyboard is paramount as it'll be used a lot for a year long uni project.

Opinions? Criticisms? Alternatives?

stmok · 15th March 2009, 5:26 PM

Go with the R500.

* Metal hinges.

* Has ThinkPad features like ThinkLight and IBM Active Protection System.
(The SL-series does NOT have these!)

* Keyboard layout follows traditional ThinkPad design.
(The SL-series is slightly different).

* SL-series is actually the new low end...Lower than R-series.
(Plastics replaces metal for certain areas to save money)

In Linux, the SL-series isn't even recognised as a ThinkPad! The reason is because they are actually using the IdeaPad firmware!

holdennutta · 15th March 2009, 5:30 PM

Sweet, that's pretty much along the lines of what I was thinking

I would assume the ThinkLight is an option and wouldn't come on such an obviously low end model as the one I linked? The ones advertised for that $799 price appear to be previous models to the ones on Lenovo's website also.

waynohh · 16th March 2009, 9:06 AM

SL500 DOES have APS coupled with a seagate HDD.

SL500 also has metal hinges, they're just black.

I assume the SL400 is similar.

SL does not have thinklight.

holdennutta · 16th March 2009, 12:20 PM

Another thing in the R500's favor for me is the lid latch. Which the SL series doesn't have.

I think the R is still winning. Even if it sounds epic in size lol.

Is quality with these cheaper lenovo's as high as I'm lead to believe? One thing that drives me crazy with most laptop I've used is the keyboard sags when you type on it. I've been lead to believe Lenovo's don't have this issue. Ever. (The thinkpads, don't know bout the idea pads)

stmok · 16th March 2009, 6:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holdennutta

Is quality with these cheaper lenovo's as high as I'm lead to believe? One thing that drives me crazy with most laptop I've used is the keyboard sags when you type on it. I've been lead to believe Lenovo's don't have this issue. Ever. (The thinkpads, don't know bout the ideapads)

I've never had keyboard flexing with the older ThinkPad R40. (I'm currently on a T43).

I suggest you go to places like Harvey Norman, etc and see if they have some on display and try it out. (This is what I usually do before ordering anything).

holdennutta · 16th March 2009, 8:27 PM

I have been. But no vendors seem to stock Lenovo anymore. Other than BigW occasionally selling a really cheap Ideapad

15th March 2009, 4:38 PM	#1
holdennutta Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,580	Lenovo R500 or SL400 Opinions? Hey guys, I'm on the lookout for a full sized laptop for <$900. Yep, very limited. At the least I want a C2D. RAM/HDD dont bother me as I can upgrade them myself. So far these two have taken my eye (I like the old school thinkpad design and build (and the nipple )): http://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/pro...oducts_id=1824 For the R500 and http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...id=5&sid=36856 For the SL400. Anybody have experience with these? Size/weight doesn't bother me. I like the R500's metal hinges and non-fingerprint magnet plastics. SL400 seems a little more liberally specc'd but has plastic hinges and a glossy lid. Both are 6cell batteries and have the same resolutions for the displays. Keyboard is paramount as it'll be used a lot for a year long uni project. Opinions? Criticisms? Alternatives? __________________ Please ignore the username; I was young and silly! Main: PC thing needing an upgrade Portable: Retro stylin' Lenovo R500 Music:32gb iPhone 3GS, 1gb Product RED iPod Shuffle Last edited by holdennutta; 15th March 2009 at 5:30 PM.

15th March 2009, 5:30 PM	#3
holdennutta Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,580	Sweet, that's pretty much along the lines of what I was thinking I would assume the ThinkLight is an option and wouldn't come on such an obviously low end model as the one I linked? The ones advertised for that $799 price appear to be previous models to the ones on Lenovo's website also. __________________ Please ignore the username; I was young and silly! Main: PC thing needing an upgrade Portable: Retro stylin' Lenovo R500 Music:32gb iPhone 3GS, 1gb Product RED iPod Shuffle

16th March 2009, 12:20 PM	#5
holdennutta Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,580	Another thing in the R500's favor for me is the lid latch. Which the SL series doesn't have. I think the R is still winning. Even if it sounds epic in size lol. Is quality with these cheaper lenovo's as high as I'm lead to believe? One thing that drives me crazy with most laptop I've used is the keyboard sags when you type on it. I've been lead to believe Lenovo's don't have this issue. Ever. (The thinkpads, don't know bout the idea pads) __________________ Please ignore the username; I was young and silly! Main: PC thing needing an upgrade Portable: Retro stylin' Lenovo R500 Music:32gb iPhone 3GS, 1gb Product RED iPod Shuffle

16th March 2009, 8:27 PM	#7
holdennutta Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,580	I have been. But no vendors seem to stock Lenovo anymore. Other than BigW occasionally selling a really cheap Ideapad __________________ Please ignore the username; I was young and silly! Main: PC thing needing an upgrade Portable: Retro stylin' Lenovo R500 Music:32gb iPhone 3GS, 1gb Product RED iPod Shuffle

15th March 2009, 5:26 PM	#2
stmok (Taking a Break) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 6,271	Go with the R500. * Metal hinges. * Has ThinkPad features like ThinkLight and IBM Active Protection System. (The SL-series does NOT have these!) * Keyboard layout follows traditional ThinkPad design. (The SL-series is slightly different). * SL-series is actually the new low end...Lower than R-series. (Plastics replaces metal for certain areas to save money) In Linux, the SL-series isn't even recognised as a ThinkPad! The reason is because they are actually using the IdeaPad firmware!

16th March 2009, 9:06 AM	#4
waynohh Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 119	SL500 DOES have APS coupled with a seagate HDD. SL500 also has metal hinges, they're just black. I assume the SL400 is similar. SL does not have thinklight.