please help me configure this T60 *** UPDATED: added question on T61

[thelittleprincess]

ok, i've asked about thinkpads vs vaios...decided to stick with thinkpads...asked t series vx x series.....decided to stick with t series.

through this link, select "view models" for "ThinkPad T60 Widescreen" - i selected customize for the one priced "Sale price: $1,146.00"
- Upgrade processor to Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) [add $196.25 $105.00] [Lenovo recommended]
- Upgrade OS to Genuine Windows Vista Business [add $67.25 $22.50] [Lenovo recommended]
- kept display at 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
- kept system graphics at Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
- Upgrade total memory to 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) [add $50.00 $7.50] (i plan on adding another 1 GB but through somewhere else)
- kept No integrated fingerprint reader
- Upgraded hard drive to 120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm [add $60.00 $33.75]
- Upgraded optical drive to DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim [add $67.50 $37.50] [Lenovo recommended]
- kept wireless card at Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
- Upgraded battery to 9 cell Li-Ion Battery [add $30.00 $22.50]
- No microsoft office preload
- Upgrade Warrenty to 3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day [add $119.00] [Lenovo recommended]

original price for this set up is $ 1,952.00
25% off sale = $ 1,493.75
plus 15% off = $ 1,263.72

are the upgrades good choices? someone a while ago told me to make sure processor is 2.0GHz and 4MB for the Vista to run well, and I think 120GB Hard Disk drive ( i forget why) and that 5400rpm is fine (no need for 7200rpm although i see other people sometimes recommend it). WSXGA+ is a good screen, right? I would prefer the standard 14.1" screen, but i didn't see it offered on the website anymore. I know I could ask, but I don't know if I can score the 25% and 15% off discounts....but I guess I can see. I see some people like widescreen 15.4", other hate it. Still debating on the screen size - should I stick with this 15.4" or go with the standard 14.1" (i have a T40 currently that's 14.1") I'm not a gamer, so Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 should suffice.

any suggestions to make this a good, decent laptop at a great price?

oh yeah, i don't have a desktop....this will be my main computer as the t40 is dying...

 

[Brainonska511]

The 1.8GHz/2MB will run Vista just as well as the 2.0GHz one. 5400RPM is fine - 7200RPM would be the choice if you were planning on doing a lot of work with extremely large files. WSXGA+ is the way to go with a 15.4" screen. Overall it looks great.

If you plan on going with the T60 in a 14" version, it will be a little lighter and smaller due to the smaller screen. You may also want to consider the T61 if you want a 14" screen since they start at a slightly cheaper price, you could configure one to be cheaper or just as cheap as the T60 you created and you'd get a little bit better performance from the use of the Intel X3100 graphics chip instead of the GMA950.

 

[AmigaMan]

depending on what you do, 120GB may not be enough. Personally if I were buying a new laptop and my budget could afford it, I'd get at least 160GB or wait for the new 250GB 5400RPM 2.5" drive from WD. The 100GB I have on my MBP now is woefully inadequate, especially since I keep around a Windows partition for the rare times I want to play a game.

also, does Lenovo have a wireless N adapter for the T60? I would get it since g is starting to show it's age and slowness.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
depending on what you do, 120GB may not be enough. Personally if I were buying a new laptop and my budget could afford it, I'd get at least 160GB or wait for the new 250GB 5400RPM 2.5" drive from WD. The 100GB I have on my MBP now is woefully inadequate, especially since I keep around a Windows partition for the rare times I want to play a game.

also, does Lenovo have a wireless N adapter for the T60? I would get it since g is starting to show it's age and slowness.

I don't know if the T60 has the N adapter, but the T61 offers it.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
depending on what you do, 120GB may not be enough. Personally if I were buying a new laptop and my budget could afford it, I'd get at least 160GB or wait for the new 250GB 5400RPM 2.5" drive from WD. The 100GB I have on my MBP now is woefully inadequate, especially since I keep around a Windows partition for the rare times I want to play a game.

also, does Lenovo have a wireless N adapter for the T60? I would get it since g is starting to show it's age and slowness.

I don't know if the T60 has the N adapter, but the T61 offers it.

61 series only.

 

[thelittleprincess]

i called.....they don't offer the t60 in the 14.1 inch anymore - said that once the widescreen came out, they did away with the 14.1 inch. does anyone know if the weight of the 15.4" widescreen is much heavier than the 14.1" standard?
* * *
i didn't see the Intel X3100 graphics chip as an upgrade option. - is this option necessary for me? i was told that since I'm not a gamer, that the other one would suffice. and as for "160GB or wait for the new 250GB 5400RPM 2.5" drive from WD. The 100GB I have on my MBP now is woefully inadequate, especially since I keep around a Windows partition for the rare times I want to play a game." - i don't game, so i don't use windows partition. i think my curretn HD is waayyyy less than 160GB - i bouth the t40 4 years ago for almost $2000 and I think it was waaaaaaaayyyy less than that and it's worked great for me.

in fact, i just did a product search, and this is what i got before:
Product: ThinkPad T40 2379-D6U
Original description: P M 1.4GHz, 256MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 32MB ATI Radeon 9000, 16x10x24x/8x CDRW/DVD(slim), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip(TCPA), Wi-Fi wireless 802.11b, 6 cell battery, WinXP Pro.

i added another 256MB RAM (so 512 total) and 40GB 5400rpm HDD and this seem to work fine for me. so the 1GB (with another 1GB i'm going to add, and the 120GB 5400 rpm is already an upgrade to my current t40. the wireless died in my laptop a few months ago. i also had upgraded to a 9 cell battery.

* * *
yeah, t60 doesn't have N adapter......so should I go T61 instead? EDIT: they do offer a t60 widescreen with abgn ....it's just not upgadable on the other options, so you have to select that specific one. it ends up being $119 more than the one with only abg.

I don't need top of the line laptop. i love thinkpad keyboards, and that is 1 reason why i'm sticking with thinkpads. i like how my current laptop worked for me - light, good screen. just some damage to it now makes me want to upgrade.

thanks!

 

[IlllI]

vista likes lots of ram. the more, the better

 

[thelittleprincess]

um, dumb question, but could someone explain the difference between the Warrenty Service Upgrade and the Protection Service options on the last page of configuration.....i mean i see that the Protection service is for "accidental damages, such as drops or falls, liquid spills and LCD damage" So what does the other warrenty cover? I configured with only adding the "3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day." i never had any accidental spills or LCD damage on my t40 but i do have two cracks on the plastic parts - both which i have no clue when it happened. (one crack on the fram of the screen, other righ next to the -> key)


also, i configured the ThinkPad T60 Widescreen with ABGN Wireless to the exact same price as the ThinkPad T60 Widescreen (but the latter doesn have the N option) - so thanks to AmigaMan for mentioning the N adapter - I would have missed that one.

 

[thelittleprincess]

ok, so i decided to look at the t61 since it comes in 14.1"......i really know nothing about the t61 series.

selecting the ThinkPad T61 with nVIDIA Graphics (7662CTO)
Processor: Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
OS: Genuine Windows Vista Business
Display: 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/o Camera (only screens offered was 14.1 WXGA or 14.1 WXGA+ w/ or w/o Camera....i have no need for camera)
System graphics: nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (only option available)
Total Memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) (i plan on purchasing another 1GB somewhere else to add to the laptop)
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
HD: 120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache : Intel Turbo Memory 1GB (WHAT THE HECK IS THIS????)
OD: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System Expansion Slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot or PC Card Slot & Media Card Slot or PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot (WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES WITH THESE THREE????)
WIreless Card: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter
No Bluetooth
No WWAN
Battery: 7 cell Li-ion Battery
Warrenty upgrade: 3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

i think this one cost $15 more than the t60 widescreen with ABGN which I configured as follows:

Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Business
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) (i plan on adding another 1 GB but through somewhere else)
No integrated fingerprint reader
120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

which would you go with?

 

[Brainonska511]

You can configure the T61 with an integrated chip if you want more battery life. There are two options when you select the T61 (from what I've seen) - one has the Quadro card, one is the Intel X3100 graphics chip.

The Turbo Memory Hard Drive Cache is supposed to speed up boot times and reduce hard drive access. Supposedly, it doesn't do much at the moment, maybe it's a driver issue that will be corrected, maybe it's just a fancy device that will never offer any perceivable increase in performance.

PC Card Slot = PCMCIA slot (older technology). ExpressCard Slot = replacement for PCMCIA slots (more bandwidth is available with the ExpressCard slot). Media Card Slot = Media Card Reader of some type (?). Smart Card slot = a security solution. With this option, you can set the computer to only work when it has your smart card inserted into that slot. PC Card Slots and ExpressCard slots can be used for various things, such as add-in cellular network cards, E-Sata cards, TV-tuners, a handful of sound cards, etc...

As far as the warranties issue - 9x5 Next Business Day is a warranty - ie: something craps out on you in the warranty period (and you didn't do anything to cause it), then Lenovo will replace the part. The other one you had mentioned, accidental damage coverage, is a type of insurance. If you drop the laptop or spill something on it and it breaks, Lenovo will replace it under that insurance period.

I'd get the T61 myself, but I'd go with the integrated graphics if you don't game because of the extra battery life you'd get out of it. I'd also probably drop it down to the T7300 processor since it isn't really worth $80 to upgrade to the T7500, where you'll see almost no performance difference in the tasks you do.

 

[thelittleprincess]

thanks, Brainonska511.

i went back and picked the other t61 to configure. came up with the following:
ThinkPad T61 with Integrated Graphics
Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Business
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/o Camera
Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) (i plan on purchasing another 1GB somewhere else to add to the laptop)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache : Intel Turbo Memory 1GB
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System Expansion Slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot or PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot (Which should i go with?)
WIreless Card: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter
No Bluetooth
No WWAN
Battery: 7 cell Li-ion Battery
Warrenty upgrade: 3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

if i keep it at PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot, it'll cost about $125 less than the T60 widescreen with ABGN i configured 2 posts above. if i go for the PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot, it'll cost another $16. i don't know if i would use either the express card slot or smart card slot yet......same goes for Intel Turbo Memory 1GB but i added that one to the configurations.

opinions? advice?

 

[Brainonska511]

I'd just go with the PC Card + ExpressCard configuration. More things are coming out weekly for the ExpressCard slot if you should ever need some kind of expansion card. The only reason I could see needing a smart card would be if you needed really good security beyond normal common sense and Windows/BIOS passwords.

 

[thelittleprincess]

i guess the Media Card Slot is for reading memory cards (for my camera, pda, etc)

i did a google search and saw that there is an ExpressCard/34 5-in-1 card reader.

would the ExpressCard Slot be a better choice than the Media Card slot still? i apologize if this seems like a really dumb question - i don't think i ever used the PCMCIA slot in my T40, so I really have no clue to this.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: thelittleprincess
i guess the Media Card Slot is for reading memory cards (for my camera, pda, etc)

i did a google search and saw that there is an ExpressCard/34 5-in-1 card reader.

would the ExpressCard Slot be a better choice than the Media Card slot still? i apologize if this seems like a really dumb question - i don't think i ever used the PCMCIA slot in my T40, so I really have no clue to this.

One being better is entirely up to you. As you pointed out, you can always get an ExpressCard memory card reader if you needed something like that. The ExpressCard slot is certainly more flexible and as you pointed out earlier, cheaper.

 

[thelittleprincess]

hmmmm....now i'm wondering if i should get the integrated camera. i know more and more laptops are adding this feature. as of right now, i don't think i wold have any use for it. even with webcams available, i never used those. a few of my friends have the cameras on their laptops, but i don't think i would be using that to chat with them, so no need for the integrated camera. am i just buying into the hype that this is available and now i want it?

also about bluetooth - my brother said it is becoming obsolete and thus unnecessary. is it? i mean, i listened to him when he told me floppy disk drives were obsolete and so i didn't get that on my T40 (and good thing i listened to him - never had i had to use a floppy disk - instead i used usb memory sticks and those are the best thing next to sliced bread!)

also, has anyone used the EPP discount and actually receive their laptop at the discounted price? i've used SPP 4 yrs ago on my t40, and that worked fine; i know the SPP is a generic code (they change annually i think).

thanks.

 

[Brainonska511]

I'd find an integrated camera useless since I don't do video conferencing and I have 2 real cameras if I want to take pictures.

Bluetooth is not becoming obsolete. In fact, more and more devices are being integrated with bluetooth for better device integration. Though, on a computer, bluetooth would only really be good for wireless keyboards/mice (that don't use a different wireless technology), PDAs, and certain cellphones (for data syncing).

When you add the item to your cart, you can see the total price of the item including all the discounts. You can always use a credit card that gives you some kind of protections, like an AMEX (buyer protection, allows you to return something for up to 90 days). And even without the additional 15% off, you can still get a good deal. Just to see, the other day, I configured a similar T61 for about $1250 with a 1 year warranty. Using a credit card that doubles warranties of less than five years for up to an additional year would mean that I'd have a 2 year warranty and I'd be set.

 

[dave127]

Don't mean to hijack, but I have a concern related to the T61 sale. I don't really need a laptop til the end of summer, but this deal, especially with EPP, seems too good to pass up. Will I see prices like this in the next 3 or so months again, or will this be the absolute best time to buy if I'm looking for a widescreen lenovo?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: dave127
Don't mean to hijack, but I have a concern related to the T61 sale. I don't really need a laptop til the end of summer, but this deal, especially with EPP, seems too good to pass up. Will I see prices like this in the next 3 or so months again, or will this be the absolute best time to buy if I'm looking for a widescreen lenovo?

There will probably be on and off deals (back to school sales, 4th of July sale, Father's Day?), but you never know. If you need it for school in the fall, I'd consider buying soon - Lenovo sometimes takes a long time to ship since things need to be imported into the US, you want time to make sure everything is working correctly and to get used to the notebook, and it is a really good deal at the moment. You won't see any new technologies come out by waiting until August.

 

[dave127]

I've actually just graduated college, so this will be a gift to myself for 'making it' and getting a real job, which I start at the end of July. I'm looking to dump the desktop behind me for now (until I get the itch to toy around again), and I see this as a nice replacement for my needs. But no new tech before then? Good to know.

 

[thelittleprincess]

hi dave127,

i, too, just graduated and don't plan on using a desktop ever again. I just got so use to using a laptop while in school.

are you going with the t61 (over the t60)?

i still can't decide between the two. i also just realized that the t61 14.1 inch is a widescreen....somehow i missed that and thought it was standard but then again, i guess this is the new "standard."

another dumb question - does the laptop come with the ac adapter....or do you have to select it on the 2nd page of configuration? my brother set the order for my t40 four years ago, so i'm not sure about this. just wondering because i hate to place my order without selecting the ac adpater, and not have an ac adapter in the end, or the other which is to have 2 adapters b/c i added one and it already comes with one. can someone clarify this?

 

[WackyDan]

It comes with the AC adapter. They show you one for sale as an option in case you want to have one in your bag, and one at your desk.

 

[dave127]

I ordered the T61, and upgraded to the WXGA+ or whatever. My total came to around 1230 with tax, so the configuration was around 1150. I got the 2 year warranty, 120 GB, 1 GB ram (1 SO-DIMM), the 2GHZ Core 2 Duo, etc. I figured the prices aren't going to get any lower before I need mine at the end of July, and by what I've read here nothing so seriously new will come out as to make this obsolete. I can't imagine the thing would come without an adapter, and I didn't even think of that. I ended up also ordering the Express Card slot, basically by accident, but seems like that was the choice to make for versatility. Now all I can do is hope it comes soon. I have no good reason for why I went with the 61 over the 60, but I figure the 60 was adapted for a widescreen while the 61 was built with that in mind, so hopefully its a bit better designed.

Dave

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: WackyDan
It comes with the AC adapter. They show you one for sale as an option in case you want to have one in your bag, and one at your desk.

also very handy if you use your laptop at work and at home and don't want to keep packing and unpacking your ac adapter. I suppose though, that a docking station would work better in that case.

 

[thelittleprincess]

Originally posted by: thelittleprincess
i called.....they don't offer the t60 in the 14.1 inch anymore - said that once the widescreen came out, they did away with the 14.1 inch. does anyone know if the weight of the 15.4" widescreen is much heavier than the 14.1" standard?

he lied to me!! i went back to the webpage, and they just added the t60 14.1" agains. damn customer service rep........

oh well, looks like most people are telling me to go with the t61 anyways (which i just realized is also a widescreen - i dunno why i just assumes the 14.1" was the standard not widescreen)

question again about the graphics.....nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M vs. Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394. My understanding is that the Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394 is integrated and will save me on battery life......so what is the advantage of nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M? I heard that Windows Vista has ?Vista Aero? graphics and requires a compatible card to take advantage of this - so wouldn't the Quadro be better than the Intel? If not, can someone explain?

and if I went with the Quadro, does anyone know what time of battery life i'd get with the 7-cell battery? I have the 9-cell for my t40, and it's suppose to have about 8 hour life (but that's at super low sucky levels) and instead, i can get about 4.5 hrs now (although i wish the screen was brighter but that means more battery life is taken)

hmmmm..the 7cell battery 5 hr vs t60 9 cell battery 8 hrs......i probably will be using this at home mostly, so i could be using teh adapter for power...but love using the battery so that i have more portability without having to worry about the adapter becoming unplugged. geez - how much would this battery life issue affect your decidion on which laptop to get?

 

[AmigaMan]

I'd say 5 hours is pretty good on one charge. I rarely use my laptop for longer than that before plugging it in at home. But be aware that using the wireless functions, having your screen lit up all the way, and using the HD will eat into that 5 hours. You'll probably see more along the lines of 2-4 hours during "normal" use.