Hi All,

I teach high school science, and our department has a bit of money to spend. Our school is very dependent on technology for PowerPoint and other software for curriculum, so any problems with our desktops or LCD projectors is a BIG hassle. I suggested that we invest in a laptop and projector to use exclusively as a roving backup for teachers in our department.

I am only looking for absolute reliability since every new laptop can run Powerpoint and any other education software one can dream of for lecture purposes.

In my very short search thus far, something like this would be about right: http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Edge-E520-1143D7U-15.6-LED-Notebook-Core-i5-i5-243/6309432/product.html

I am sure I can find a better price, but it's a start.

I am strongly leaning toward an entry level Lenovo Thinkpad, but any PC based suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

if you are looking for reliability go for at least a t series. i don't know of anything more reliable in the pc world. x series if it needs to be portable but I'm guessing if its on one of those cart things that you can wheel the projector around with, the weight doesn't really matter. bigger screen might make it easier for teacher. so 15" t series?

Agree with the Lenovo Thinkpad, I've got a W520 and it's been excellent for any sort of work.

if you are looking for reliability go for at least a t series. i don't know of anything more reliable in the pc world. x series if it needs to be portable but I'm guessing if its on one of those cart things that you can wheel the projector around with, the weight doesn't really matter. bigger screen might make it easier for teacher. so 15" t series?

+1, Used to work in IT and the T series were built like tanks.

Typing this on a Thinkpad T420 right now. It is very solid, and it handles docking and undocking with or without an external screen very gracefully.

At the newspaper, we've used dozens of Lenovos with good results. And the Dell Latitudes have been warhorses. (Hundreds of them) A lot depends on what your IT department's hardware folks can suport well. Laptops tend to, ahem, need hardware support. (like when they get dropped down a couple flights of stairs)

Crappy, not sure we can swing a T series, based on the prices I have found. They all look to be over a grand. The difference gets a good head start into a projector. They're nice, and I will obviously not turn it down if I can find it for a better price ($600-750), but I am not sure that kind of deal is out there.

Any good sites out there that have good deals? I have been out of the loop for laptops for a while; I am more of a desktop person.

Carl, I will try to insist that I be the ad hoc IT person for the department. I want to have the flexibility of not having to rely on the school tech. That and the Deep Freeze program the school has is ridiculous. Since it will be department money, I like to think that our group will be very careful and take care of it, so hopefully no stairs incidents.

This looks good: http://www.amazon.com/Thinkpad-T420-14-320GB-4G/dp/B005SSQ1QG

Smaller screen, but would you say that the build quality justifies the smaller screen and HD?

You can get a T420 directly from Lenovo with an i3 for under $700 if you are pinching pennies.

Yeah Lenovo always has deals, also call them and you can get even more discounts. There might be some educational discounts as well.

I got a PM from a generous soul. I think I might go down that route.

I'm sold on the T series. I can definitely get a slightly upgraded one (8GB and i5) for under $800. Just have to get department approval.

Edited February 28, 201214 yr by roadtonowhere08

Aftermarket RAM will save you a LOT of money. Start with 1x 4Gb, then just pop in a second 4Gb stick.

Aftermarket RAM will save you a LOT of money. Start with 1x 4Gb, then just pop in a second 4Gb stick.

This, just make sure that it's easily user servicable.

Indeed. The second RAM slot is easily accessible under the laptop. You don't want to have to change anything out of the first RAM slot though, which is under the keyboard and requires some effort to get to.

Indeed. The second RAM slot is easily accessible under the laptop. You don't want to have to change anything out of the first RAM slot though, which is under the keyboard and requires some effort to get to.

If that's the case I would try to get a little larger stick than 1GB in the first slot.

Yep, 1x 4Gb stick is the best option as noted above. I don't think you can go lower than that with the T*20 in the Lenovo store.

I thought about that after I made my last post. You are right.