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    Buying a T61 - Need advice

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by BerkeleyBoi, Mar 26, 2008.

  1. BerkeleyBoi

    BerkeleyBoi Notebook Enthusiast

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    So this is the configuration for my current T61. I will buy 4GB of RAM on my own from newegg or zipzoomfly since it is much cheaper, but my question is this:

    What sort of Windows should I get?

    I read that some versions of Business Windows Vista comes with an XP recovery disk, so I'm leaning towards that. However, there's a 32 and 64 bit version of Windows Business Vista. Which one should I get? Does the 64 bit version of Vista come with a 32 or 64 bit XP recovery disk?

    Finally, I'm confused about all this 32 and 64 bit stuff... what's the good and bad of both?

    Specs:

    Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
    Genuine Windows Vista Business 6412
    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)
    100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
    DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
    ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ10
    No Bluetooth
    6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
    6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty7

    Thanks!
     
    BerkeleyBoi, Mar 26, 2008
    #1
  2. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    Go to here www.lenovo.com/cpp
    use this code 556655

    You don't need 64 bit unless you want to use 4Gb ram.
    Upgrade to the 9 cell battery.
    the CPP code should help you with the price.
    Good luck.
     
    Han Bao Quan, Mar 26, 2008
    #2
  3. jooooeee

    jooooeee Stealth in disguise

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    I would go for the 32bit version of Vista Premium or Ultimate because you lose alot of features going with buisness. Unfortunatly Lenovo dosen't give you recovery disks but you can make your own when you get it.

    Definetly upgrade to the 9-cell battery
     
    jooooeee, Mar 26, 2008
    #3
  4. Tailic

    Tailic Notebook Deity

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    Heres a list of features you get with the different versions of windows. I'm running Vista business on my laptop (32) and Business 64 bit on my desktop and I really don't miss any features from the media center.

    You'll also want the 64 bit version with 4 GBs of ram to use all of it. Not to mention theres not really any drawbacks using the 64 bit version since all the drivers should be there.

    You'll probably want to do a clean install so you should probably just find a 64 bit disk rather then the recovery disks.
     
    Tailic, Mar 26, 2008
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  5. BerkeleyBoi

    BerkeleyBoi Notebook Enthusiast

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    What about software conflicts with 64-bit? Are there problems running 32-bit software on a 64-bit operating system?

    Thanks for all your advice so far

    EDIT: Also, I read somewhere that having a pair of the same ram increases the speed. If I do get 3GB of ram, how much of this would I lose out?
     
    BerkeleyBoi, Mar 26, 2008
    #5
  6. GoodToGo

    GoodToGo Notebook Consultant

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    Whats the deal with the contractor code?

    Do you have to be a contracator to avail of it?
     
    GoodToGo, Mar 26, 2008
    #6
  7. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    Better price.....
     
    Han Bao Quan, Mar 26, 2008
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  8. GoodToGo

    GoodToGo Notebook Consultant

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    Damn, if only I knew about it before I bought my laptop :(
     
    GoodToGo, Mar 26, 2008
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  9. stupid_nut

    stupid_nut Notebook Consultant

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    I got Vista Home Premium on my new T61 and after using it for about 3 weeks I wish I got XP.

    Little things keep cropping up. Audio stutters with Vista with no fix. And yesterday I realized their photo loading program sucks. Its slower too. But it is prettier to look at.
     
    stupid_nut, Mar 26, 2008
    #9
  10. Imslimjim

    Imslimjim Notebook Enthusiast

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    just to let you know, I would take out this link and password ASAP. I believe its against notebookreview policies and mods are against sharing this level of information
     
    Imslimjim, Mar 26, 2008
    #10
  11. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    joe,
    What features do you lose? Just the media center right?
     
    The Fire Snake, Mar 26, 2008
    #11