Ahhh!!! Should I have just ordered the T61P instead of the T61????????

Here is my configured system that I ordered Monday night (with education discount):
6459CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
09/13/07 $1,182.75 $1,182.75
42V8190 SBB INTEL CORE 2 DUO PRCESST7300
42V8012 VBB MS WIN VISTA HOME BASIC
42V8568 SBB MS WINVISTA HM BS32 US ENG
42V8287 SBB 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
42X0818 SBB NVIDIAQUAD NVS 140MW/WWAN
41W2060 VBB 1GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 1DIMM
42V8195 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH
42V8295 SBB UN(TRACKPOINT TOUCHPAD)
42V8169 SBB 100GB HDD,7200RPM
42V8171 SBB CD-RW/DVD-R24X24X24X8XUB-S
42X0805 VBB PC CARDSLOT EX CARDSLOT
41W1501 SBB INTELPRO/WL3945ABGUSCNLAAP
39T6651 SBB 9 CELL LI-ION BATTERY
39T6442 SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA
42X1524 SBB LP-US ENGLISH

I ordered this thinking their "big" sale was going to end but it looks like the prices are back down again. After more research on this forum I've found that the P model has much better graphics ability with the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M vs the NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL) of the P model. I do not game but I'm getting more into 3D modeling (SolidWorks which I've found uses OpenGL). I reconfigured a P model with the same additions that I had to my previous model and it came out $1180! Here is what I had:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Edit 6459CTO $1,179.17 1 $1,179.17
System Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) 1
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic 1
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - US English 1
Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT 1
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL) 1
Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) 1
Keyboards: Keyboard US English 1
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) 1
Hard Drive: 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm 1
Optical device: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim 1
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot 1
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader 1
Wireless cards: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord : Country Pack North America 1
Language Pack: Language Pack US English 1

My question is would I notice much of a difference between the two using a program like SoildWorks? Is there much of a battery usage difference between the 140M and 570M GPU? My order status still says "In process" so could I cancel and re-order or can I just call and tell them I want to change?

Oh and another thing. Have most of you been ordering with the Bluetooth option ($21 more). I can't think of anything I need it for now but might be nice in the future.

 

One I thing I should really ask is do you think its possible to run program like SolidWorks "decently" without descrete graphics at all? I don't think I will really be doing that much CAD work on this computer but want to have it more for viewing and tinkering purposes (most of serious work would be done at my desktop). I know our computers at school weren't anything special and they ran SoildWorks pretty good (never pulled in a huge assembly file or anything). I'm starting to think maybe I would be better off with just the regular T61 14" for the weight and battery usage. The main reason I'm getting this laptop is for school use (internet,email,word, etc.). Ahhhh too many decisions to make!

 

with education you also get a three year warranty though...

 

I priced out the P model through education too. I guess what I really need to find out is how well, if at all, SolidWorks would run with intergraded graphics (and the only reason I'm considering integraded graphics is the batter life increase). I did go back and price out a regular T61 with 14" wide but noticed you cann't get a WXGA+ (only WXGA listed). Whats up with that? There is a review on this site with a WXGA+ in 14"?

 

Solidworks should run ok with a intergrated graphic card

 

As gridtalker said, the integrated graphics should be fine for you.

They used to offer the WXGA+ on the 14" models but they are out of stock right now. Either wait a while, or call in your order and ask them to include it.

Or consider the HP nc6910p which is equivalent to the T61 and probably superior in fit & finish. HP seems to have the WXGA+ panels in stock (HP is more $$ though...):
http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/Mi...&ProductLineId=539&FamilyId=2606&BaseId=22984

 

mh454, first off i dont know how this thread got off to talking about integrated graphics. your original order included a discreet video card. personally i think the t61p is a significant upgrade from the t61. If you decide you want the t61p i would go to the site and create a quote of what you want then call sales and tell them that you want to cancel one order and convert a quote to a new order.

 

I ordered a t61 and it is already shipped. If I send it back and order a t61p will I be charged with the 15% restocking fee?

 

No restocking fee if you ask for RMA in advance and return your notebook without breaking the machine seal.

 

Yes, but what if it ships before you get around to canceling.

Under those circumstances, a restocking fee is possible, even if you don't break the seal.

 

Yes your right I got off topic. I did because I started to ponder if I really needed discrete graphics in the 1st place. I don't game at all but would like the ability to run my SolidWorks 2005. I really just need it to run good but it doesn't need to scream. Battery life is important to me and from what I've gathered discrete graphics really pull that down from onboard. If I could get away with onboard I would cancel and reorder a 15" T61 with the X3100 on board or whatever it is. If I could determine that I would have to to have discrete, I would still cancel and order the 15" T61P as I now comes out to the same price as my orginal order (probably throw bluetooth in too this go around). I don't plan to do a lot of CAD work on this (I'm no engineer....more of a hobby) but would still be nice to have it on for viewing/modifying purposes (bring to class and do a presentation or something). Would I really need is someone who does a lot of 3D CAD (Sworks,NX,ProE whatever) to find out if they think it would work. This machine will be 90% classroom stuff (email,internet,word) and I would like to be able to go 4 hours of use.

 

Please review the returns policy by Lenovo carefully:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...ndingPage=/All/US/Shopping_FAQ/returns_policy

For a new Product that is unopened and still in its sealed package, you may return it to Lenovo for any reason within 21 days of the date of invoice and obtain a refund or credit. Lenovo does not provide refunds or credits for portions of a packaged offering provided at a single price or for preloaded Programs installed by Lenovo. You may return the complete package for a refund or credit.

To qualify for this credit or refund (as applicable), you must call Lenovo at 1-866-42-THINK (1-866-428-4465) to obtain a return-authorization form. You must return the new product, including all documentation and accessories, intact and in its unopened original packaging, to a Lenovo designated location by the date Lenovo specifies.

A copy of the invoice, the return-authorization form, and the shipping label must accompany the return. Shipping and handling charges generally will not be refunded or credited. Opened products returned are subject to a restocking fee equal to 15% of the price paid. You agree to pay the restocking fee as Lenovo specifies.

If you acquired a Program separate from a Machine, and paid a license fee, you may return the Program within 21 days of the date of invoice and obtain a refund or credit, if you do not agree to the license terms provided with the Program.

 

You get a free 3 year warranty by ordering through education???

 

No, it isn't free. It's built into the price Nothing is free in this world! LOL

 

Yeah, its built into the price, but if you want it, it comes out cheaper than if you selected it while configuring on the regular page. (maybe even epp?! )