About to order T61! Need last second advice!

Alright, so I finally decided on a notebook...I decided to go with a Lenovo T61 14 inch, T9300 processor, 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200RPM HDD, discrete graphics.

I wanted to talk to a sales rep before I ordered but I think the sale is ending tommorow, so I have to order today.

First, I have heard that the LG screen is better for brightness then the Samsung screen...is there any way I would be able to request a certain screen on my build or would it just be a random selection?

Also, would anybody recommend I get the Turbo memory? Not entirely sure what it is...just seems like another GB of ram, but is there any added benefits to the Turbo?

Thanks in advance for the speedy replies (please)!!!

 

For the T61, don't get the TM, because it's the first version of TM, it's pretty much useless with your 7200 RPM HDD and 2+ GB RAM. You should spend that money to buy more real RAM later instead. 3 GB RAM is much better than 2 GB RAM + 1 GB TM.

 

awesome, and do you know if its possible to pick which screen comes with your notebook? The LG or the Samsung?

Thanks again

 

nope. can't pick screens. just luck of the draw

 

Done!!

I placed my order, here are the specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium12
14.1 WXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M 128MB
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (1 DIMM)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Ultrabay Slim
6 cell Li-Ion Battery

Hopefully i get the good LG screen, but other then that I'm really hyped about this notebook. I saved close to 550 with the sales going on due to the new T400's coming out and a 10% coupon!

 

Nice, congrats on the new purchase!

 

Your machine looks great! Nice config. You will love it and smart move going for the higher res screen, you will love the screen realestate.

 

Thanks guys! Now we play the waiting game...

[insert Homer Simpson Hungry Hungry Hippos quote here] lol

 

Greetings- FYI don't expect lenovo to support ANY software including windows for free- period. no warranty. No help- Unless you buy a service session. Apparently they only "warrant" the hardware. And be expecting Lenovo CRAPWare- Lenovo sales and marketing every time you open a browser. And guess what!? The WON'T tell you how to remove it unless you pay for a service call!

I bought a Lenovo based on high support marks in PC Magazine- If I didn't really need to keep it, I would have sent it back. I will never buy another. OTOH, I have had 3 HP's all excellent machines and NO hassel support, including software and Windows... Good Luck...
BS

 

Wow, that sucks.
I thought I had read that Lenovo's come with relatively little bloatware?

So if I did a clean install would that solve this problem? Or is there another way? I'm much prefer not to have to do a clean install cause I don't know how, but if it's a neccessity to get the performance I paid for, i'll give it a shot.

Thanks

 

jw, why would people buy T61 over the new T series (T400/T500)? Is it b/c T61 has lowered in price, or b/c of some technical issue?

 

yeah, for me it was absolutely about the price....the T61 came out to about 1250 for me, regular price on a T61 was over 1800, and a new T400 with integrated graphics would be in that range too.

 

Yeah tell me about it!
My T61 didn't come w/ OEM windows disk, so not sure about clean install- Vista has an option to make recovery disks right off the bat and, there is a hidden recovery partition, BUT that simply reinstalls the OEM configuration. You could, of course, get a fresh copy of Vista and do the install, but it appears that Lenovo has a LOT of proprietary stuff like the fingerprint reader, trackpak, button functions, video drivers etc that you would need to install after the OEM, and I do not know how hard it would be if you are starting that without the original applications. (It took me 2+ hrs last night to download and install all the updates since I bought mine in January...

Hardware wise, they are well built but the software is what makes it run. If you're really committed to it, go for it, but you might want to reconsider if you are a relative newbie in computers.

Oh, would also mention since I'm griping, that when I bought mine I paid $99 for what I thought was expanded phone support so I would have peace of mind re: my transition- Well it turns out the $99 was for a single telephone support session, which I found out after I called regarding a mundane task that I could have easily solved myself (migrating my PDA from old to new puters), and then when I called about the adware in the browser, They told me I had already used my support session, refused to help unless I ponied up another $99, and refused to give me another session when I explained that I thought I had been misled by their advertising og the support options... Howz THAT for customer service???

Good luck!

BS

 

Thanks for the info...do you know weather I can use the guide set up by stallen for a clean install if I don't have a DVD burner? He says to make back up discs which require 1 CD and 2 DVDS

Thanks

 

Depends what your definition of "Bloatware" is. Some people view the Thinkvantage software that comes with the machine as bloat, while other consider it useful, depends on your need. I have found that I like the Thinkvantage software packages, they are cleaver and helpful.

You could sit there and uninstall the stuff you didn't want(messy way considering Windows registry and its habit of leaving files around), but it would be best to do a clean install. This is what I am going to do in a few days. This way you can choose what software you want on the machine and which of, if any, of the thinkvantage software you want.

 

If you are taking about the recovery discs that you burn from your machine, then I can tell you that you can make them with a bunch of CDs or 1 CD and 2 DVDs.

 

Yeah, I was talking about the recover discs. Awesome! So I guess I don't need to upgrade to a DVD writer.

Thanks for the info

 

One more question...do all T61 come with the Thinklight?
On the Canadian website, it listed it as a feature, so I assumed it was an included feature on any T61 build...i didn't see any option to include it while I was making my order.

lol, I really, really want that light!!

 

Yes, I think all T61's have it. I didn't need to choose it specifically in my custom order and my machine has it.

 

does the light go on automatically when its dark? is it actually useful?

 

No, you choose to turn it on or off. It can be useful in a very dark room. Also it depends how you angle the monitor, if the monitor is titled back, then the light is not as effective as it is not shining on the keyboard. If the monitor is tilted forward more, then it helps to illuminate the keys.

 

Nice specs! I've had my T61p for about a month and I love it. As soon as you are notified of the serial number of your T61, then you will be able to look up what make of monitor you have received.

 

There is an "Employee Pricing" going on today on the Canadian site. I have a 15" T61 configured as follows:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Processor1 Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
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 X3100 GM965
Total memory8 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Language US English Keyboard
Fingerprint Integrated fingerprint reader
Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive4 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device5 DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots PC Card & Smart Card Slots
Card Reader 4 in 1 Media Card Reader
WiFi wireless LAN adapters10 Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (US/CAN/LA/AP)
Wireless USB Adapter None
Wireless WAN accessories65 None
Battery60 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
Publication Language English US Publication for Vista

250410U ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with US/Canada/LA Line Cord $199.20
40Y8519 Lenovo USB WebCam $71.20

All in, including dock and webcam, but pre-tax, is just under C$1,500.

My questions, if I may, are:

1) Is the chosen screen an LED-backlit one? There were only two options for the screen and this is already the upgraded one (but doesn't say anything about being LED-backlit)
2) Is it worth it to get the webcam? Is there no integrated webcam at the top of the screen (like many Dell laptops, for example)?
3) Is the dock work that price? I don't have a home network, but it would be nice to do a one-plug to connect at home to printer, internet modem, etc.
4) Is it worth it to wait for Centrino 2 (from a battery life perspective, for example)?
5) What is this "Thinklight"? I didn't see any mention of this in the specs, but just saw the discussion in this thread about it. Does it come included? Is it like a backlit keyboard type deal?
6) Perhaps most importantly, is this a good deal (incl. on the dock and webcam)?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am not familiar with Lenovo laptops quality, etc. as I had really been considering the Dells, but saw this sale on today and decided to explore. Thanks in advance for any and all sage wisdom!!

 

(1) No LED backlit screens on T61's
(2) Subjective decision -- I'd say no, but I never use a webcam anyway. If you did not choose an option for an integrated webcam, it does not have one.
(3) I won't get a laptop without a dock; I like not having to mess with a bunch of cables every time I come and go. Remember it comes with its own 90W adapter.
(4) Subjective decision.
(5) Thinklight is a white LED light embedded into the top of the screen bezel that shines down on the keyboard. Turns on/off with a hotkey. I think all Thinkpads come with it now.
(6) Seems like it.

Question -- why are you choosing the Smartcard slot option? What will you use it for? I thought outside of high security business/government usage it wasn't much use.

 

Thanks Lew, for the quick reply!

(1) That is a bummer, as I've read (admittedly, mostly from this forum only) that the LED backlit is a great feature to have, from both quality and battery-saving perspectives...
(2) This unfortunately wasn't an option (integrated webcam) for this model and the deal. I also don't use my webcam now that much, but it is a "nice to have", esp. if integrated.
(3) Does the Lenovo dock work well with other notebooks? If not, are there after-market docks that you would recommend?
(5) Does the Thinklight work well, for working on a plane for example, or in a dark space (i.e. in a backyard at dusk)?

Thanks again!

 

Docks are system dependent. A dock for a T61 will work on T61's and (I believe T400/T500)'s but that is it. Same for Dell and others.

I've not used the Thinklight, just saw it on display models.

 

(1) You may have to check the detailed specifications for the particular model you are after. On the Australian website, it does specify backlighting on specific models.

(2) Webcams are an optional extra. If you need a standalone one, there are probably better ones that you can get (eg. Logitech).

(3) The Thinkpad docking units aren't cheap. If you don't want to mess around with USB cables etc, you might consider getting a USB hub with 8 ports - it would be cheaper than getting a dock.

(4) It depends on what you will be using your laptop for.

(5) I am pretty sure that the ThinkLight is standard now for the T-series. If the monitor is at 90 degrees or more to the keyboard (which is the position most people would have it), it's acceptable but nothing great. I certainly wouldn't recommend using it for an extensive period of time or very often - it will probably kill your eyes!

(6) See (2).

Either way, the Thinkpad would be better than a Dell IMO.