I've only ever used Thinkpads (from T20 to T61) and now am on MBP. The TPs are definitely built sturdier. I used to carry them in a very flimsy backpack and all of the TPs weathered that fine. That being said, after I bought my MBP, I bought a nice backpack to protect it. And obviously, the difference is in the software.

I think the major diff between a TP and MBP is like the diff between a Jeep Wrangler and a Porsche. Just depends on what you need it for and your OS preferences.

I'd say more like a Lexus and a Porsche. The Jeep Wrangler would be eMachines.

That would be a Geo Metro. I love Wranglers, but for entirely different reasons than I love Porsches.

I have a macbook and a thinkpad (t61p). The thinkpad certainly feels much sturdier.

I use the macbook to screw around online, read mail, etc on occasion. But when I go to do some work, it's the thinkpad that comes with me.

That being said, I am primarily a mac user at home; but on a macpro, not a laptop.