About to Order - Some Final Q's

Hey,

The time to make my decision is here but some last final questions if anyone can help. The decision is between the T61 and T500 because I really want a 15.4" screen.

1. If the T61 goes on sale even further, how long do I have that Lenovo would reimburse me the difference, if they would at all?

2. I read on the first thoughts of the T500 there's a new lighter keyboard, anyone have any opinions?

3. The T500 doesn't have a VGA port does it? Meaning if I want to hook it up to my monitor I'm going to need another cable.

4. There are no options for Bluetooth or an integrated Webcam for the T61 are there? Nice to have's, but not a necessity.

5. The T500 does not have the LED backlight the T400 does, but is the screen still better than the T61/is it even really that bad?

The prices are coming to within 40-50 bucks for either, so I really can't decide, any help with these questions would be great.

 

2. new keyboard is tragic (dealbreaker for a lot)
5. according to review, the t500 CCFL is nowhere near t400 LED, but marginally better the older Ts.

unless you get t61p, t500 has better graphics

 

1. I was able to get the refund for the T400 today (2 weeks after ordering it on the 5th) for the difference of what i paid and what the sale price is.
2. new keyboard is supposedly slightly a downgrade from before ( a little more flex) but calling it a deal breaker is ABSOLUTELY rediculous. It is still better than any other out there.
4. The T500 is the first 15.4 inch from lenovo with a built in webcam
5. its not a LED like the T400, but its still better than before

If u are choosing between the T500 and the T61 its shud be no contest towards the T500. It has the new centrino 2, better graphics, AND its on sale right now for CHEAPER than the older T61 15.4".

 

so what kind of cable do i need to buy for this displayport thing? another unnecessary expense id like to avoid but if the comp is better.

and the page im viewing them at still has the t61 cheaper by about 20 bucks, what page/prices are you getting?

heres the t500 in configured:

Processor1 Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2)
Operating system12 Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating system Language Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium - English
Display type 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
System graphics Intel GMA X4500
Total memory 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
Keyboard Language US English Keyboard
Camera Integrated Camera Module
Hard drive4 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device5 DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots Express Card & PC Card Slots
Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel WiFi Link 5300
Modem Yes - AMoM
Battery60 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
Publication Language English US Publication

$1099.12
Save: $653.88

The T61 I was looking at was $1020, with 1GB DDR2 I'd have to upgrade to 3, no Bluetooth, no cam, worse wireless, worse graphics, worse processor, this is worth the 70 bucks I guess.

However, I don't know if its worth 300 bucks after tax than the LG r405 I just bought from Future Shop.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10108706&catid=25314

 

3. The T500 includes both a VGA port and Displayport, according to the tabook ( ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitute/psref/tabook.pdf)

 

can anyone confirm, i couldnt read that thing

and how far does the 6-cell battery stick out, if at all?

 

if you did a little research on Lenovo's site it comes with a VGA and Displayport with optional cable for DVI. Also you can check out the pdf for how much the 6 cells stick out.

http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/merchandising/US/PDFs/t400_and_t500_datasheet.pdf

that's the PDF spec sheet for t400 and t500. Better yet i advise you to try that Online Chat with lenovo during business hours. They're extremely good and quick, they'll help you answer any last minute questions.


100% without a doubt.. (for $200 difference... let alone $20 to $40) i would get the T500.

The new CPU alone is reasoning enough

Displayport is basically the new Computer Video Output Standard (and sound). DVI's getting phased out soon thus HDMI is basically for media systems and DisplayPort will be used for computers. However, DisplayPort has HDMI 1.3 standard already and have better specs with Audio. It'll also be cheaper because no license is required (compared to HDMI). There's a whole list of goodness DisplayPort brings if you search online a bit, those were just from the top of my head.

Keeping on topic:

1) you're buying last year's model.. that's a big no no for computers.. especially laptops. From what I read around... the T61's are going fast.. so i think stock will drop faster than price.

2)Can't say anything about keyboard.. because I haven't touched the T500 but i do own a T61.

3)T500 = yes VGA

4)Isn't it all dependent on stock now (if they have those in the first place)

5)T61 isn't bad .. and from what other people say T500 is better.. so... self explanatory.


Hope I helped =)

 

you did very much so, gonna pull the trigger on the T500 tmrw (once Future Shop figures out why they screwed up my credit card).

gonna have to work an extra couple days before school that I didn't want to, but it should be worth it. thanks a ton.

 

Well I had to increase my credit limit because Future Shop is useless, but I just pulled the trigger on the T500. Came to $1240 with shipping in taxes, which is $240 over my budget, however, I will just work 2 extra days before school to make up for it. A 2 day vacation was not as important as a better laptop which should last for a few years.

Thanks for all the help, now let's see if it arrives in 2-3 weeks as stated.

P.S. I really hope this review Kevin is doing doesn't pan this computer and make me want to curl up in a corner and quit.

 

aww.. man if you didn't pull the trigger... the next thing i would tell you to do is... AVOID all these "STORE" credit cards.. they're useless. Since you're talking about Futureshop I'm assuming you're in Canada. You should go to CIBC or any other banks that have VISA and get yourself a classic visa/student classic visa. Why i say this? I don't know what futureshop Credit card gives you but it's probably just points towards futureshop... where as Classic Visa has the BEST reason to use that card to buy all electronics. It will double all electronic warranty up to 1 year. For example... if your device has 3 months warranty.. it'll bring it to 6 months.. if the device has 1 year warranty it'll bring it to 2 years... if the device has 3 years warranty it'll bring it to 4 years warranty. Also, there's no monthly/yearly charge. Warranty claim is easy and straight forward.

IMy visa card's getting ready to buy a X200 =)

 

Check lenovos site periodically for even further price falls and if that does happen, be sure to use the price match thing from lenovo to get the difference refunded to your credit card.