?'s about the T61 HELP PLEASE USA

I am about to order my T61 but I have a few quick questions first.

I read about this memory deal in this forum and was wondering
if I should order my laptop with just the 512 and switch it out
with the 2 X 1 GB for $69.99 after $25 rebate and google checkout
with free shipping through Buy.com.

Is this a good deal for the memory? Is there anything cheaper
out there? Am I better off getting 2GB 1 DIMM to leave the
second slot open for future expanson? Can I leave one slot open?

I think I am getting a good deal with the current Lenovo special
of $295 off + WIFI upgrade plus the SPP 5% and the 3.5%
back from FatWallet for an approimate savings of $507 according to
the Lenovo cart details. BUT, I keep reading about some big 4th of July
sale that is supposed to be comming soon. Should I wait? Do you think
I'll be able to do better? I've listed the build below.

Any advice would be welcomed.

Thank You Kimberlee

Est. Ship date 7/12/2007**
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium[12]
15.4 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ WWAN
512 MB PC2-5300 SDRAM DDR2 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm[4]
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN[10]
Blue Tooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6465: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]
All for $1045.09

 

You're config is virtually equivalent to mine, and if you add the $165 2GB (2 dimm) from Lenovo, you essentially pay the same I did for mine, $1240. I think I got a heck of a deal, so you're decision comes down to saving $100, but having to install memory yourself.

If you get a great price for a single 2GB, than I would opt for the 512 from Lenovo....I'm not sure how likely that is.

 

I'm curious what was different in your computer? I want to make sure
I picked the most cost effective components. Did you get any of the
extended warrenties?

Is it a mistake to buy the 2 1GB? Should I splurge and pay a little more and
buy the 1 2GB? Is the memory that hard to install?

 

If you're careful, you probably won't screw it up. But you do void your warranty by opening it.

 

Do you really void the warrenty by adding memory.
That is pretty scary. Should I just pay Lenovo's outrageous
price for the memory then?

 

No..Opening up to add Memory wont void your warranty and its easy to add memory yourself, atleast on the T61....

Also you can get a 1 X 2gb for about $90, so thats a better choice IMO (look in the RAM deals thread)

 

Shop around for ram, I got two 1gb sticks of crucial for 29 bucks each(after rebate). You can find some value brand with close to the same price and just as good.

 

Differences are 14.1 screen, 120 GB HD, DVD-RW, 7 cell battery, 2 GB RAM, webcam.

Your config is surely rational, so stick with it.

I will probably upgrade to at least a two-year warranty.

As for the memory, why get more than 2 GB for the near future? You can upgrade a couple of years from now, and the prices will be lower at that point anyway.

 

First, adding memory to your system will not void you warranty.

Second, DDR2 ram prices have been falling ridiculously since May, but it may start going up again since ram manufacturers aren't overproducing them anymore. $70 for 2x1GB isn't terrible but a bit more than what they've been going for lately. I bought mine a few days ago from buy.com for $45 AR and google checkout.

Personally, I'd just go for 2GB and be done with it. I highly doubt you will ever need more than 2GB as it is already more than enough.

 

My mistake about the warranty comment. Yeah, do it yourself.