About to order my first notebook ever. Is this a good deal for a t61p?

I'm about to submit my order and I just want to get some feedback from you guys before I do.

Here are my specs.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows XP Professional[12]
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)[10]
6 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]
3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

$1,528.29 without tax.

Good deal?

 

Yea thats a pretty good deal I'd say. If I were you, the only thing I would change is that I'd only buy 1 Gig of ram (1 dimm) and add a second myself. A 1 gig stick of ram is pretty cheap and very easy to install, does not void warrenty either.

 

A couple of notes:

1) I would get third party RAM, considerably cheaper, unless you don't feel inclined to remove the keyboard and palm rest. The 2 DIMM config will mean throwaway RAM when you upgrade.

2) Fingerprint reader is inexpensive now, I love it for logging on after startup and from screensaver lock. Cost prohibitive to add later

3) 6 cell battery will be lighter, but the machine is power HUNGRY!! May want to reconsider the 9 cell with the 570M (61p).

Everything else looks good and the price seems reasonable.

 

I was thinking about doing that.

I remember a few years ago I was having a hard time "matching" ram for my Dell Desk top. It used RDRAM and I had to buy memory once or twice because the motherboard wouldnt accept it.

I'm sure I wouldnt have a problem now. I will reconfigure and see the price difference.

 

You won't. I run a Lenovo (Hynix) 2GB module in the first bank and a Crucial 2GB module in the second bank and have had zero issues (since my planar replacement anyway).

 

One more question guys!

Originally I wanted the T7700 2.4Ghz but I can save $159 and go with the T7500 2.2Ghz.

Will I noticed a difference in speed btw those processors?

What should I get??

 

not really, its all up to you on what you use it for, but you can save the money, also if you drop the HD to the base drive, spend the difference on a 200gb 7200rpm drive from newegg for like 200 bucks, but thats up to you on that one though.

 

I support the view to upgrade to 9 cell battery. Depending on your need, you may like to consider a higher capacity HDD.

Other items of specs are good.

 

Yeah I am going to upgrade to 9 cell.

So what should i get T7500 or T7700? ?

I dont know if $160 is worth it to upgrade.

 

I had the same dilemma and opted for the T7500. $50, I would have done it, but the jump to the T7700, performance wise, I couldn't justify for $150.

 

How much did you get your system for?

I read your post on the other thread that you are trying to get a some money back. Just curious what you originally paid?

 

There is a little difference in speed between 2.2 GHz to 2.4 GHz but not critical enough, in most instances.

If in your shoes, I will save on that money and spend it on software / accessory that will add more overall benefit / performance, rather than that mere 0.2 GHz improvement in speed.

 

That I believe is a pretty good deal. About a month of ago, i got the same laptop but with a 9cell for 1380 with the holiday special and a 25 percent coupon. But unfortunately i ran into financial problems that month and had to cancel but now I settled for my laptop on my sig for 1350.

 

$2100 ($2300 tax, ship) including the 4 year depot/accidental warranty and an Ultrabay for another drive. I think the "discounted" system I'm working for now came in at $1830 (tax, title, out the door). Hope I get the price match!!!

 

I actually just placed my order in.

6459CTO ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows XP Professional[12]
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)[10]
9 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]

total: $ 1,551.18 with tax

ESD: 11/30/07

 

More sensible specs now.

 

Here's the one I ordered:

Code:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]  
  Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic[12]  
  15.4 WSXGA+ TFT  
  NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)  
  1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)[8]  
  UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader  
  100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm[4]  
  CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim[5]  
  Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)[10]  
  9 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]  
  6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]
  41C9170  3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day   $119.00 

Total: $1,533.14 with tax and (free) shipping (with $145 discount from the USPSAVE13RT 10% off coupon, which expires today.)

Ordered: 11/3
Estimated Ship Date: 11/29 (would have been 11/22 with a 6-cell battery instead of the 9-cell)

I got Vista Basic because I'm going to wipe it clean and install XP.

 

By the way, you can really get the most out of your battery by stopping unneeded Windows services and disabling unneeded devices. On a cross-country flight last year, I was able to squeeze almost twice the amount of time I usually get from my T43's battery by stopping about 20 unneeded Windows processes/services and disabling the wifi. I wrote a simple script to stop them all for me, making it easy for me to enter a "super-low" power mode with a few clicks.

I'll do some tests once I get my T61p, to see how much this potentially increases battery life.

 

Update: I just received an email that the T61p I ordered on Nov 3 has shipped, 23 days ahead of their ESD. Built and shipped in two business days...I am amazed. I ordered online via Lenovo's main web site. The only thing I might have done differently than others is I put a sales rep number on my order.

 

What?

Mine still hasnt shipped yet. I purchased on 10/30.

ESD is 11/30.

 

The only significant difference I see between our configurations is that you ordered the DVD-R drive. When I configured mine, I saw a note indicating that option might delay the order by 3-4 weeks. :/