As a student, ThinkPad Edge was my laptop for a while, and despite some some hinge issues (that were caused by a drop), it's still working 5 years later. I don't think it was too bad.
I got an edge laptop for my (now) wife as well when I still was a student. Huge mistake. It had mediocre hardware that didn't work well with Linux (crappy wifi support and bad power usage), it was slow and had a keyboard that was pure garbage as well. Even thought it was small it was heavy, thick and the fan was loud. Battery life was crap as well. Spend more time than I care to admit optimizing it.
It still kinda works, I fixed the keyboard and all, but I don't want to use it anymore and just got it as a backup. It was the worst laptop I ever bought. Granted I can't say for sure that every edge laptop is like this, but I never want to touch one again.
Exact same, I'm staring at an E520 which I've used every day for the past few years, which now has a busted left hinge (until I get around to putting some sugru on it). Other than the bum hinge, a really solid laptop which has survived quite a few beatings.
It still kinda works, I fixed the keyboard and all, but I don't want to use it anymore and just got it as a backup. It was the worst laptop I ever bought. Granted I can't say for sure that every edge laptop is like this, but I never want to touch one again.