Re: [Thinkpad] Dell Vs IBM laptops

> *sigh* This is getting tiresome, look I'm sorry if I'm stepping on
your ego
> here but the point I've been making is about sample size and
representivity.
> I'm really glad that you (and everyone else here)l enjoys their
thinkpads.
> I enjoy mine too. However I consider it irresponsible to pretend
we can
> confidently draw general conclusions from anecdotal data.
>
> No 'extensive personal experience' isn't the *only* way define good
or bad
> service. It's not even the most accurate way. The problem being
is that
> you have no idea if your sample is representative nor do you know if
it's
> sufficiently randomized. Without that you can not say how accurate
your
> conclusion is. Period.

I've generally been interested in the discussion but this response is
getting
tiresome. There's nothing irresponsible about the conclusions that
others
have drawn, especially from those with fairly extensive experience
with
both IBM and the competition. Validity or reliability issues aren't
really
relevant and in fact your exacting standard here are rather misplaced
insofar
as it is necessary to answer the question that a listmember asked.
There
are various degrees of data analysis and its important to remember
which
is both relevant and useful.

Everyone has stories about horrible or praiseworthy products or
services. But a good analyst looks for patterns to develop.
Listmembers
who have owned or used a lot of laptops can provide useful indicators.
Folks who professionally sell/service laptops provide invaluable
additional information. I think the list has generated a lot of
useful insight
into the relative merits of Thinkpads, Dells and others.

Oh, and remember, data never speak for themselves and those who
place a lot of trust in numbers are either hiding or being hoodwinked
by their theory.

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Received on Sat Mar 13 12:56:38 2004