Thinkpad (I've continuously owned past 20+ years) - Yep, got it... built for business - $ construction - powerful

Ideapad(5) impressive specs - way less $ vs Thinkpad

Current home new machine(s) to resolve: We need to replace my wife's Win7 ThinkCentre desktop with new/quicker/Win10 machine + replace her crappy Dell laptop. Hence, Thinkpad vs. Ideapad (or similar)?

The nub of what I do not get-- Costco (for example) displays an Ideapad 5 with: 15.6", 500GB SSD, 12-16GB RAM, Intel gen. 11 i7 chipset. I'm sure there are quicker SSD's, > performance i7 chips, etc. but (to my understanding) I do not see where a Thinkpad with similar but elevated specs is going to perform 'that much' quicker for the tasks at hand: Quicken, Quickbooks, Outlook and browsers.

I absolutely acknowledge (experience) you'd have to take a 2x4 to kill a Thinkpad but her 'rough on a pc' index is very low.

What am I missing here - viability of the Thinkpad?

Greetings @markg2  

Thinkpad units are specifically business class machine so it is expected to be tougher and provide more variable options and features.

It computing is your primary priority on daily basis then this should be your option.

Regards.
Dex

Not a good answer (I'm being diplomatic). You largely restated (just not as thoroughly) the majority of my question. Then your answer was largely a restatement of a statement portion of my message (assuming you read  vs. skimmed the thing).

Mark

Hi,

It is very hard to provide the complete details as each model families have specific target market groups. Maybe it would be better if you have any specific model in mind with the machine number / MTM to give so we can detail more on each pros and cons.
 
Generally, business machines like Thinklines cost more but is known for sturdiness and added features. Contrary to Idealines which are consumer group focused that is lower in cost and is for casual computing needs.

Regards.

I think my question has less to do with specific models but...

For example:

Ideapad 5 (Intel gen 11 i7, 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD, Win10 (professional nice but not necessary), 15.6" (touch not needed)) is the basic configuration

vs.

T61 (or P) with similar specs

Use: A replacement for my wife's Thinkcentre. Everyday, home use for general computing needs (Quickbooks, Quicken, internet... )

The machine is not 'traveling' so is NOT subject to 'rough and tumble'. Hence, applicability of 'sturdy'? If I'm wrong, please explicitly explain.

The 2 different machine's primary functional components are reasonably the same. Intel doesn't make a sturdier processor. RAM is RAM apart from speed. Yes, I'm sure you can get a quicker SSD (not up on newer small form drives) but the reliability and 'sturdiness' of the drive is no different between machines)... you see where I'm coming from?

Once I can get straight on this question, then I do have 2 more and the next 2 are specific.

Mark