Call for your kind help on a possible Lenovo ThinkPad T61 buy

Hi all,

I call for your kind help on a possible Lenovo ThinkPad T61 buy. The specs of the system follow. Can this system cost be further reduced? I am Canadian and going trough the Canadian Lenovo site with VISAPerks 5% rebate. Are there any coupons I can add to this? I am also a student but I read it cannot be stacked with the visaperks anyway.

About the configuration itself, does anyone know what is the difference between the French Canadian keyboard and the ACNOR French Canadian keyboard? I haven’t found any information about that on Lenovo site. Also, I would like at some point to use CompactFlash cards to use it as a second low battery cost HD. Should I pick the Express card slot or the media card? I am guessing the media cards that are supported do not include compactflash.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.


Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz
800MHz 6MBL2)
Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating system
Language
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium -
French
Display type 14.1 WXGA TFT
System graphics NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M 128MB
Total memory 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 DIMM)
Keyboard Language Canadian French (58) Keyboard
Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Fingerprint Integrated fingerprint reader
Hard drive 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion
slots PC Card & Express Card Slots
Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN
WiFi wireless LAN
adapters
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe
US/EU/LA/ANZ
Modem Yes - AMoM
Camera with Camera
Battery 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
Publication Language French Canadian Publication for Vista
Savings: -$ 508.61
Subtotal: $ 1,260.39
[] -$ 0.00
[CAXSAVEMARCH] coupon
Estimated total: $ 1,184.77

 

1. Get Vista Home Basic. (unless u really want the media center, which sucks IMHO)

2. Get rid of fingerprint scanner.

3. Get intel N wireless adapter (worth the $$)

4. Consider getting a R61 if you're going 14.1". Same magnesium LCD roll cage, polycarbonate case material. Only difference is thickness and 0.5 lbs more. Well worth the 300-400 discount.

IMHO, only.

 

The media card reader is already standard. The other option is Express card vs cardBus...better off going ExpressCard. You get more expandability options with it. As for french kb, no idea. That's a good price for what you have.

 

Yes, this sounds very interesting price-wise. My only concern now is that I cannot seem to find any place nearby to go see it in person before I buy. I have never owned a ThinkPad so I cannot tell if I will like this particular T61, screen brightness and quality, etc. It also seems virtually impossible to return it if not 100% satisfied like it is possible with the DELL XPS line. What can I do?

 

It depends on where you re in Canada. In metropolitan Toronto, I found Thinkpads of all kinds on display at a certified Apple dealer of all places!

 

morphy--would you have gotten a t61 instead of R61 if u had selected 14.1 instead of 15.4?
Looks like u got a pretty good setup

 

If you're looking for other cost savings, I'd suggest considering:

1. Drop the processor from T9300 to T8300--the price difference is pretty big compared to the performance difference, in my understanding.
2. CD-RW instead of DVD-recordable (CD's hold 25% of a DVD, most people don't use this much, and you can also get an external DVD burner if you decide later you want one)

 

3. Consider integrated instead of discrete graphics?

 

p61? You mean a T61p?
If I went for a 14" I would want one in standard screen not widescreen. So yeah the T61 SXGA+ with 140M.

 

Sorry, I meant R61 14.1 WXGA.

 

As for CD-R vs DVD-R recordable drives I think its usually better to go for DVD-R recordable even if you don't feel like you may need it its nice to know that you have that option.
I can do backups that would be a hassle to do on CD-Rs.

Of course it depends how much more they want for it. Price is always a factor.

 

Regarding processor I've had a machine with a T7500, T8300 and T9300.

T7500 and T8300 to me seemed equally fast and I could not tell the difference.

However the T9300 feels noticeably faster. While I could occupy 100% of the CPU easily with the T7500 and T8300 it's difficult for me to reach 100% on the T9300.

Just my non technical opinion. Of course the T9300 is going to be the fastest but it depends on your usage.

I would stick with the DVD burner if you plan on saving more than 700MB. I store lots of pictures on my machine and it's nice to be able to burn them on a couple of DVDs instead of 8 CDs. 700MB is nothing these days. A DVD burner can also burn CDs.

 

marcbe, did you use the coupon USXTHINKMADNESS as well for up to an additional 11% off depending on what you are purchasing?

Just make sure you get these discounts:
25% Lenovo
5% Visa
up to 11% (I think it's 10% for T61) coupon

That's as much discounts as I know.

 

hmm dunno..I'd go for it if it came with standard screen but that's just a personal preference of mine. But if I left that criteria out, and if I don't need to have a high performance model, just something to putter around and using it on battery more sure. The slight added thickness doesn't bother me. I'd lose the rollcage tho but I'm pretty careful with these things anyway.

 

That coupon is only for US orders. I believe the OP mentioned that he's Canadian and ordereing thru the Canadian site hence the canadian coupon..

 

Oops. Very sorry marcbe. Thanks for correcting me morphy.

 

yeah thats a great deal for US customers. Its lucky there were any Canadian coupons to begin with.

 

Thanks all for your inputs. So far, from what I read here, I think I will keep the DVD burner as I agree with morphy that it can be handy. I will also stick with the T9300 as it has a 6Meg L2 cache. That may be why webdtc saw a difference from the T8xxx to the T9xxx cpu.

I'm now down to 1040CAD using advices from someone else to use the friend EPP... but how does this work? Does it mean that a "friend" just has to give me the information to login that section of the Lenovo site and I can legitimately use this? Are there any rules to be allowed to use this friend EPP program?

 

Just a note to the OP --Vista Home Basic also lacks the Aero Glass UI, only running Aero Basic. To some, this isn't a big issue, but if you want the prettiness, Vista Home Premium or Vista Business are better options.

I went with Vista Business, due to my need to join a network domain (which Vista Premium can't do); I didn't need the Media Center options on a laptop, so Vista Home Premium wasn't necessary.

Check here for a better description about what each version gets you:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

Finally, if you want a lot for a little and don't need to join a network domain, Windows XP Home is a lot better operating system than Vista Basic IMO; I'd consider it too.

 

I'm in the U.S., and I tried configuring a T61 and entering the USXTHINKMADNESS coupon and it was rejected .

Also, is the 5% Visa discount automatically applied, or is there something more you have to do?

 

That coupon is for member purchase program only. There's a link to that around here if you search for it.

 

MrMcgee Try: USPSAVEMORE

 

For the Visa discount go here:

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/visa

(You can also get there via the Visa.com web site under discounts)

5% is automatically discounted via this site in addition to the normal 25% Lenovo discount going on now.

On the Visa branded Lenovo page you can use the USXTHINKMADNESS for up to 11% more. It doesn't work on the regular lenovo page.

 

USPSAVEMORE is the code follow the laptop deal link on top of this page.

Home Basic vs. Home Premium--I've used both and found the glass UI Aero look pretty disappointing and it probably makes your UI a little bit slower since it'll need some processing.

For a standard windows notebook, you don't really need the glass look. It doesnt really add much to the 'wow' factor.

IMHO.

 

I never used Vista so far but I will see and maybe turn Aero off to save battery power when roaming. I want premium for the other things that are more business oriented. I'm thinking about "Windows Meeting Space" and "Windows SideShow".

This being said, the advantages from vista basic to vista premium may not be as significant as it was with XP home vs XP pro. I'll recheck the price difference. If it is like less than 40$ or so, I guess I'll keep premium just in case. What I like with Lenovo is that options are actually quite affordable (well, at least currently with ongoing discounts). Doing the same process for a DELL was shocking.

I have to thank you all for the amazing feedback so far that I got from this community. You people are awesome! If all goes as planned, I will save over 400 + tax CAD thanks to your help. I feel sad for those who just go through the normal website and order at full price.

 

An update on my reflections toward buying this T61. Here is the new system I will probably buy:

ThinkPad T61 - 1 Yr
Depot Warranty
Ships within 3-4 weeks**
$1,140.60 $1,140.60

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz
800MHz 6MBL2)
Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating system
Language
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium -
French
Display type 14.1 SXGA+ TFT
System graphics NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M 128MB
Total memory 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 DIMM)
Keyboard Language Canadian French (58) Keyboard
Fingerprint Integrated fingerprint reader
Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive 250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots PC Card & Express Card Slots
WiFi wireless LAN
adapters
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
(US/CAN/LA/AP)
Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 90W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
Publication Language French Canadian Publication for Vista
Savings: -$ 847.40
Subtotal: $ 1,140.60
[] -$ 126.73
Estimated total: $ 1,140.60*

This sounds like an even better system for the money. Battery life is a big issue for me so being able to put a 9 cells in there was a must… especially with the NVS 140M. Strangely, only the non-wide 4:3 ratio screen model of the T61 14” line had that option. It also allows for a 250 GB HDD. The laptop is supposed to be 0.3 lbs lighter than the wide-screen version. All in all, I don’t mind keeping a 4:3 ratio screen as it is what I have on my current 15” Toshiba Satellite. I recall I read that the battery extends less in the back of the 4:3 models as well which would be another small aesthetics bonus. The price raised a bit from my previous best config at 1040 CAD but as you can see, this one has SXGA+ screen, 250 GB HDD and 9 cells batteries. That is easily worth 100$ extra in my opinion.

What do you think of this?

 

I think its a good choice. SXGA+ has more screen space than WXGA and slightly more than WXGA+ (vertically) and as long as you're comfortable with the dpi ( should be equivalent to 15.4's WSXGA+).

 

How did you get 43% OFF ? Can you tell us which coupons you used??

 

How do you get the 5% Visa discount and the 10% coupon discount? When I go to Lenovo site through Visa and add the coupon for the 10% discount it says the coupon is not valid for current shopping cart.

 

Make sure when you cut & paste a coupon code, that you remove any space that may get inserted. It happened to me the first time. Then, it should work.

 

Yes I did that. I'm in the US, I go through the Visa site where it says up to 15% off select Lenovo notebooks, configure a T61p and when I cut and paste either coupon USPSAVEMORE or USXTHINKMADNESS I get the same message that the coupon is not valid. Am I going through the correct site to get the 5% Visa discount?

 

These may be expired but I'm not sure. I'm using the Canadian Lenovo site.

 

My only input would be to just go for 1 dimm 1GB memory, and order a 2GB stick and put it in yourself (giving you 3 GB). It may only cost an extra $10 over what Lenovo charges for the 2-dimm 2GB upgrade.

I'm essentially looking at getting the same laptop, except for T8300, 160GB 5400, Vista Basic. Plus i want XGA but there doesn't seem to be any option for XGA with the NVS 140.

 

I agree with you bunkhouse about the RAM, but since I prefer not messing inside a new laptop and that it cost about 20$ for 2 GB, I found it less trouble. It is less flexible if I would like to upgrade indeed.

About screen choices (sorry, I took it from the french page has it's more complete it seems), you have:

TFT WXGA de 14,1 po (1 280 x 768)
TFT WXGA+ de 14,1 po (1 440 x 900)
TFT XGA de 14,1 po (1 024 x 768)
TFT SXGA+ de 14,1 po (1 400 x 1 050)
TFT WXGA de 15,4 po (1 280 x 800)
TFT WSXGA+ de 15,4 po (1 680 x 1 050)

I called Lenovo this morning and the sales rep suggested a standard ratio screen for people doing mostly word processing and the wide screen for people more doing spreadsheet-like work. I would add to that that for watching DVDs and playing games, the wide screen may be more interesting. I went with the standard ratio screen. The SXGA+ 14,1" (1 400 x 1 050) is a good option I think. I'll see when I get the laptop. If you really want the XGA, try calling them and ask for a modified system specs sheet. Some times, it's technical limitations so they can't do anything. The 9 cell battery is a good example. The battery packs used on the wide version are not the same used on the std ratio model. The sales rep told me that some sizes like the 6 cells may be compatible but not all sizes are. I went for the std ratio in great part for the 9 cells as the T61 doesn't have stellar battery life in general. The 9 cells system I ordered is said to run for over 5 hours so that will be great for travel uses.

You should really consider the T9300. It may reduce slightly the battery life but the performance gain seems worth it and it's very cheap currently. I would think long-term and take the biggest CPU for the money. The T9500 on the other hand did not seem worth the cost. From what I have read from another poster, the performance difference from T7xxx to T8xxx is marginal but going to T9xxx is quite perceptible.

If you often tweak the internal components of your laptop, I agree with you to go 160 GB HDD... maybe even taking the basic 80 then upgrade it yourself? Personally, I prefer to buy what I need and have a worry free, ready to roll machine... and Lenovo upgrade costs are pretty fair from what I have seen. They don't overcharge that much compared to DELL.

 

I guess I haven't checked the site in a while, last time it was $60 for the upgrade.