Rad,

Just a point of technicality, but IBM doesn't make Lenovo laptops, Lenovo does.  IBM sold their hardware business to Lenovo (a Chinese company) a few years ago. Lenovo makes both the consumer and business class machines. 

Normally, I'm not big on Chinese products; They seem to always turn out to be cheaply made no matter how well they work at first.  Lenovo is the exception.  I was issued one at work and it's been fantastic.  Close friends feel the same.

Rad.Test wrote on Aug 30^th, 2011 at 5:45pm:

IBM sold their entire computer line, including ThinkPads, to Lenovo. 

see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad

"In 2005, the Chinese manufacturer Lenovo purchased the ThinkPad brand from IBM in a five-year deal, whereby IBM still helps in the marketing and support of these products."

Honestly, I almost think Lenovo makes them better than IBM did.  ThinkPads made by IBM didn't hold up to abuse over time and tended to be underpowered, IMO.  Lenovo ThinkPads are pretty loaded for their price and sturdy as the best out there.