[TriLUG] Experiences with ThinkPad W540/other recent laptop workstations?

[Jeremy Davis]

Matthew,
Here is a snippet from a previous Trilug post, I believe from when you were
researching before, I still have it. Actually I am about to Craigslist it
but I would prefer to hand it off to a someone comfortable with Linux,
because I don't plan on re-installing Windows.

I have a Samsung Series 900x3b for $600 OBO. Easiest Linux Mint install I
have ever experienced, which I speculate is due to Samsung's history with
Linux based products such as Chromebooks and Android devices. Deal includes
an external Samsung DVD drive that plugs in via usb. I thought it was an i7
but all the specs online say i5. It is about a pound lighter than a Macbook
Air. As for traveling, it feels about like an ipad but the screen is over
13 inches. It is thinner than my cellphone.
=============
I really like it but I have not been using it much. I don't recall having
any problems at all. Everything just worked fine

I am asking $600 but don't hesitate to send me your best offer after doing
your research. I might have a CompUSA warranty but can't remember.


On Sun, Jul 6, 2014 at 6:37 PM, Matthew Frazier <leafstormrush at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello, TriLUG,
>
> I'm planning to purchase a new computer soon. (I really like the
> ThinkPad T61 I bought in March, but it's just too old to do everything I
> need.) This one will be a primary workstation, so I'd like something
> that will last at least four or five years. As such, I'm seriously
> considering the ThinkPad W540.
>
> First off: Yes, I know that the keyboard and TrackPoint are RUINED
> FOREVER. Honestly, I actually like the new style of trackpad - I had a
> Macbook Pro before my T61, which has a similar trackpad, and I was
> perfectly fine with it. So, even if you think the new trackpad is the
> worst thing since 8086 memory segmentation, please put that aside for now.
>
> I'm primarily interested in Linux support. I plan to use either Fedora
> 20 or CentOS 7, so nothing especially fancy. I'm fine with not having
> the best graphics setup, so long as I can plug in a second monitor and
> play Minecraft (not even at the same time).
>
> Another key quality is expandability and ease of repair. I plan to buy
> with 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD, and upgrade later if my requirements
> exceed the limit. I also like to do my own repairs. So, being able to
> replace the battery, hard drive, memory, and optical drive is important
> to me. (I don't want to be in a situation like my Macbook, where
> replacing the battery requires an appointment and a 30 minute bus ride
> to Crabtree.)
>
> Finally, I highly value build quality and support. Besides the trackpad
> complaints, deteriorating build quality is a common complaint in
> reviews. I suspect the presence of these complaints may be consequences
> of the trackpad being RUINED FOREVER, which as stated earlier, I don't
> care about. I'm just concerned about whether it will last a few years
> without breaking badly. Availability of a 3-year warranty is also a
> requirement.
>
> If you don't think the W540 meets these requirements (FOR REASONS OTHER
> THAN THE TRACKPAD), I would appreciate additional recommendations. I
> like my current ThinkPad, but I try not to be super-partisan about
> computers.
>
> Thanks,
> Matthew Frazier
> --
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