Thinkpad T60 $894

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Muse
How does this compare with the T42? That's the one I've thought about buying. I saw a deal on it less than a year ago for around $1000, but didn't buy. I'd heard a lot of good things about it. I posted a thread here and nobody replied! So, I guessed it wasn't so hot.

Is this better than the T42? I've yet to buy my first laptop, but had desktops since the 1993.

T42 is a great laptop, but is based on rather old technology. This is a great deal

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I configured a Core 2 T7200, 14" SXGA+, 1.5GB RAM, 80GB, GMA950, CDRW, XP Pro, 9-cell for $1233. Quite a bargain if you ask me

Make that DVD-RW with 3 yr for $1100 and I'll order right now

I wish...trying to find such a beast for my gf's sis right now...

If you ever encounter a deal like that, please let me know

You're on my list Ross

 

[EKKC]

i used a T42 at a client that i consult for. thinkpads are awesome. my mobile Dell Precision workstation M20 is nice (better than inspiron crap) but cant even touch ibm/lenovo builds. im interested in dual core for my mobile workhorse now and is VERY interested in this deal

but i can't remember if my T42 was a 14" or a 15", does it make THAT much of a difference? (I definitely need SXGA+ since 1024x768 is such a waste these days)

edit: and is the 9 cell heavier than the 6 cell battery? thanks

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: EKKC
i used a T42 at a client that i consult for. thinkpads are awesome. my mobile Dell Precision workstation M20 is nice (better than inspiron crap) but cant even touch ibm/lenovo builds. im interested in dual core for my mobile workhorse now and is VERY interested in this deal

but i can't remember if my T42 was a 14" or a 15", does it make THAT much of a difference? (I definitely need SXGA+ since 1024x768 is such a waste these days)

edit: and is the 9 cell heavier than the 6 cell battery? thanks

14" T-series feels much lighter and...more nimble than the 15". I've used both and the 14" really feel much more balanced than the 15". 9-cell adds a bit of weight and about 1/2" sticking out the back.

14" SXGA+ and 15" SXGA+ are available. 15" SXGA+ is an IPS screen meaning AWESOME viewing angles and better brightness/colors

 

[EKKC]

thanks. i may pull the trigger on a 14", even though ibm/lenovo rep is better than most others, im still worried that i dont get any warranty by default but dont wanna spend too much on warranty

as for a question on EPP, how does a company sign up? I work for a very small firm and would like to sign my company up for it so all coworkers are eligible for cheaper machines if/when they need, or do i have to be an existing business customer to be eligible?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Muse
How does this compare with the T42? That's the one I've thought about buying. I saw a deal on it less than a year ago for around $1000, but didn't buy. I'd heard a lot of good things about it. I posted a thread here and nobody replied! So, I guessed it wasn't so hot.

Is this better than the T42? I've yet to buy my first laptop, but had desktops since the 1993.

T42 is a great laptop, but is based on rather old technology. This is a great deal

Thanks. This is a tad OT, but can someone comment on this, please: I am subscribed to this thread (I just checked) but didn't get any emails from any posts subsequent to my last. I just replied to a different Anandtech Forums thread and DID get emails. What could be wrong? TIA. [Edit: It seemed to spontaneously fix itself]

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
I'm sure they don't wait to pour the plastic into the mold for the chassis until after you've ordered. Yeah, the configs are all different, but the parts are all manufactured and stocked already. I worked in a shipping center in college and you are always trying to keep a balance between future demand and what's on the shelves. Plus, this will keep demand for the widescreen T lower initially so that they aren't wildly backordered as they ramp up production as most fencesitting potential Thinkpad owners should be jumping on this offer.....myself potentially included except that I can't shake the vision of 720P HD content filling the notebook screen.

How will you get HD content? Won't you need an HD DVD player? Or are you thinking of viewing HD files? Are you thinking that Lenovo will have an option for an HD player onboard?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Doesn't a 14" SXGA+ lead to awfully teeny text?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
I'm sure they don't wait to pour the plastic into the mold for the chassis until after you've ordered. Yeah, the configs are all different, but the parts are all manufactured and stocked already. I worked in a shipping center in college and you are always trying to keep a balance between future demand and what's on the shelves. Plus, this will keep demand for the widescreen T lower initially so that they aren't wildly backordered as they ramp up production as most fencesitting potential Thinkpad owners should be jumping on this offer.....myself potentially included except that I can't shake the vision of 720P HD content filling the notebook screen.

How will you get HD content? Won't you need an HD DVD player? Or are you thinking of viewing HD files? Are you thinking that Lenovo will have an option for an HD player onboard?

HP and Toshiba have HD-DVD drives for their high end notebooks. I have word from an Asus reseller that they're preparing one for their notebooks and Asus uses a generic format. Xbox 360 now has one. So the signs are, we should have them available to us very soon. Even if they're cost prohibitive or have compatibility problems in slim notebook format, it should at least be feasible to grab a usb2 or firewire external drive at some point.

The bottom line is that I expect some kind of options real soon and in under six month's time, one to be offered through Lenovo directly.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Doesn't a 14" SXGA+ lead to awfully teeny text?

its not that bad IMO and you get used to it quick. I prefer it to XGA even on a 14.1

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: DonVito
Doesn't a 14" SXGA+ lead to awfully teeny text?

its not that bad IMO and you get used to it quick. I prefer it to XGA even on a 14.1

Agreed and I'm using a 12.1" WXGA which took some time getting used to, about a week.

As long as it's sharp, clear and vibrant it should be ok. Assuming of course you don't have absolutely terrible vision.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: EKKC
thanks. i may pull the trigger on a 14", even though ibm/lenovo rep is better than most others, im still worried that i dont get any warranty by default but dont wanna spend too much on warranty

as for a question on EPP, how does a company sign up? I work for a very small firm and would like to sign my company up for it so all coworkers are eligible for cheaper machines if/when they need, or do i have to be an existing business customer to be eligible?

The default warranty is of the same level as if you purchased an extended warranty - it is 1 year depot service with local tech support (non-outsourced). A longer warranty is just that, longer. You can upgrade to "ThinkPad Protection" for accidental damage coverage or add on-site service, but the quality of service is the same.

EPP is Employee Purchase Program for Lenovo/IBM employees and certain affiliate companies, although the affiliate companies usually don't get the full EPP. You can't sign up for it per say. Best you can do is setup a contract to purchase so many machines for your business and shoot for a better price.

Or know someone who is an employee and use it for yourself only

 

[theslickvik]

GREAT PROPS OP

 

[cmv]

OMG. So tempting. I just brought another laptop a month ago but if this had been on then... SXGA+ is the best.

 

[Corporate Thug]

lots of x1400 benchies for those considering the upgrade:

http://www.laptoplogic.com/resources/detail.php?id=37&page=4

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: EKKC
thanks. i may pull the trigger on a 14", even though ibm/lenovo rep is better than most others, im still worried that i dont get any warranty by default but dont wanna spend too much on warranty

as for a question on EPP, how does a company sign up? I work for a very small firm and would like to sign my company up for it so all coworkers are eligible for cheaper machines if/when they need, or do i have to be an existing business customer to be eligible?

The default warranty is of the same level as if you purchased an extended warranty - it is 1 year depot service with local tech support (non-outsourced). A longer warranty is just that, longer. You can upgrade to "ThinkPad Protection" for accidental damage coverage or add on-site service, but the quality of service is the same.

EPP is Employee Purchase Program for Lenovo/IBM employees and certain affiliate companies, although the affiliate companies usually don't get the full EPP. You can't sign up for it per say. Best you can do is setup a contract to purchase so many machines for your business and shoot for a better price.

Or know someone who is an employee and use it for yourself only

oh. that sucks. i thought it would be like dell's epp program where everyone and their grandmother can sign up.

i know anyone can use dell's, but i prefer to make my company a real member of the EPP

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: DonVito
Doesn't a 14" SXGA+ lead to awfully teeny text?

Yes, but the average AT(OT) geek would prefer to squint at a larger effective desktop. Note that you can choose a larger font DPI to offset the high resolution, although other UI components will still be a bit small.

As an aside, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is supposed to be resolution-independent (meaning it'll scale to resolutions too high for practical use today). I don't believe the same is true for Windows Vista.

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: manly

Originally posted by: DonVito
Doesn't a 14" SXGA+ lead to awfully teeny text?

Yes, but the average AT(OT) geek would prefer to squint at a larger effective desktop. Note that you can choose a larger font DPI to offset the high resolution, although other UI components will still be a bit small.

As an aside, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) is supposed to be resolution-independent (meaning it'll scale to resolutions too high for practical use today). I don't believe the same is true for Windows Vista.

No, the text is not small. It is perfect at normal font sizes. The other UI components are also not small, they are just fine. Anyone who thinks they are has probably not used a 14" SXGA+ screen. If you've been using a much lower physical resolution (larger pixels) it may seem small for about half a day, then you've adjusted completely.

The first thing I do for any laptop user complaining about hard-to-read text is turn off font antialiasing, shadows, and other frilly and harmful GUI crap. This almost always clears up the situation right away. Some people also don't run their LCD at the native resolution through sheer ignorance, which is another thing I check for. If you run a 14" SXGA+ panel at its native resolution and turn off "ClearType" antialiasing, things will be very usable and readable.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: EKKC
oh. that sucks. i thought it would be like dell's epp program where everyone and their grandmother can sign up.

i know anyone can use dell's, but i prefer to make my company a real member of the EPP

Anyone can sign up for Dell's? That is news to me

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: EKKC
oh. that sucks. i thought it would be like dell's epp program where everyone and their grandmother can sign up.

i know anyone can use dell's, but i prefer to make my company a real member of the EPP

Anyone can sign up for Dell's? That is news to me

anyone can USE the EPP website to purchase. I did this, ordering my XPS700 w/2407 for a good price (see sig), without a valid EPP member number.
but I thought most companies can get a EPP member number without problems. how would one go about signing a company up to be a Dell EPP member? they dont have to be an active customer, do they?

edit: sorry this is getting way off topic from the OP

 

[iamme]

does the T60 use the plastic that the old A-series Thinkpads had? or is it the grippier/softer plastic? has the build quality remained the same after they switched to Lenovo?

 

[Muse]

Few questions:

1. How long do I have before this isn't available? Anyone have any idea?

2. In practical terms (I know, YMMV), what's the advantage of XP Pro over home?

3. How long do the batteries last? Actually, I'm curious about how long a charge lasts and also how long before the battery degrades and you have to buy another one, so this is two questions.

4. Any take on this option: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 a/b/g LAN or ThinkPad a/b/g wireless LAN. Which?

Thanks.

 

[amdskip]

1) Who knows how long this will last

2) pro vs home: link

3) I'd guess 3-4 hours but thats just a guess, it's hard to say how long it will last. I always plug my thinkpad in if there is power available. My battery is almost 3 years old and it still has a 2 hour battery life.

4) No idea

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: EKKC

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: EKKC
oh. that sucks. i thought it would be like dell's epp program where everyone and their grandmother can sign up.

i know anyone can use dell's, but i prefer to make my company a real member of the EPP

Anyone can sign up for Dell's? That is news to me

anyone can USE the EPP website to purchase. I did this, ordering my XPS700 w/2407 for a good price (see sig), without a valid EPP member number.
but I thought most companies can get a EPP member number without problems. how would one go about signing a company up to be a Dell EPP member? they dont have to be an active customer, do they?

edit: sorry this is getting way off topic from the OP

Confirmed. Two weeks ago Dell EPP was offering 30% and $50 off coupons for EPP members. My employer belongs to EPP but I was at home and didn't have my EPP login credentials. I requested the coupons be sent to my non-work-personal Yahoo account and it was sent. Then I placed a Dell EPP ordering using my non-work-personal email address and it was processed with no questions asked. I don't think it's always been like this, it could be something recent or a fluke in their system.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Muse
Few questions:
4. Any take on this option: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 a/b/g LAN or ThinkPad a/b/g wireless LAN. Which?

Thinkpad wireless uses the Atheros chip.

Personally, I have used the 3945 and it's an astounding chip. You may have different needs based on whether you'll be running Linux or whatever.