I decided to buy IBM ThinkPad T series laptop because of two reasons: it has additional TrackPoint (I don't like popular TouchPads, which are less precise); it has logical keyboard's layout (similar to standard keyboards and without unwanted Windows keys). I write a lot, so keyboard's look and feel is very important for me.

I use IBM ThinkPad T41 for four years. I bought it new. I use also secondary T40 for two years. I bought it used.

When I started with T41 I found some help on http://tuxmobile.org/. Now I think that better source of help is http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T41.

T41 and T40 are similar machines, so I install and configure the system once on the first machine and then clone it on the second. I'm Slacker, so I use Slackware. I'm power user, so I use Window Maker and Midnight Commander.

With T series models some configuration settings are tricky but it is possible to configure virtually all services. I used in the past or I use now internal modem, serial port emulation, DSL connection, PPPoE connection, various USB devices, various PCMCIA cards, and IrDA port.

For a few years I kept Windows XP on the first partition only for update BIOS from time to time. IBM's BIOS update application didn't work in Linux and I didn't want to use some tricky but potentially insecure methods of updating BIOS. With the help of Linux I cloned Windows XP on the second machine -- for the same reason.

I use both my machines first of all for writing texts (OpenOffice.org), manage digital photographies (GIMP, GQview), watching movies (MPlayer), and listen music (moc, Audaciuos). I use of course also network applications (Firefox, Thunderbird).

Perfect laptop deserves the rate of 10. ThinkPads from T series and my particular T41 aren't perfect. I subtracted the first point because of some incompatibilities involving long learning curve when I try to configure some new services. I subtracted the second point because after two years of everyday work the LCD screen of my T41 darkened. So the final rating is 8/10.

In fact I had a lot problems with my particular T41: from the beginning combo CD/RW drive hung up randomly the system; after two years fan started to seize up, so I needed to blow through the casing to run the system; after three years motherboard started to squeak when I pressed the keyboard in some particular places. Fortunately I had three years of guarantee so I put my T41 to the service the last day of the guarantee. Service replaced CD/RW, fan, and motherboard. I forgot to mention about the dimming LCD screen so they didn't change it.

I need to say my secondary T40 works better than my primary T41. I think the above problems concern that particular unlucky specimen.

Despite of all that problems I recommend T series laptops. Both my ThinkPads (made in China) aren't so solid as my previous Toshiba Satellite 4030CDT (made in Germany) but both are better than good machines -- ideal for a writer.