Can Someone Plz Give me Advice T61p vs W500

Ive been looking over this stuff for days and havent really found my answer.. Maybe you guys can help me out.

Things to consider..
I am an Architecture Major so ill be using 3D Design, Rendering, And Photoshop Programs
Money is just money... I want this computer to last and if its worth spending extra money to make it last longer then its worth it to me.

W500 Config:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business 6412
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 with 512MB VRAM
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
100 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
WLAN_NOTE10
Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
4058: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7
3 Year Depot Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection Price: $2,422

This is with a student discount. No other promotional codes.

-V.S-

T61p Config:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
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)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)10
No Bluetooth
9 cell Li-Ion Battery60
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty7
3 Year Depot Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection Price $1600
I clicked the wrong button configuring.. I meant to get the 100gb 7200rpm. It will be the same price tho

I figured id get the 4gb of ram after because its cheaper for ddr2 ram. Where the ddr3 is about the same price lenovo offers. This $1600 is without discounts because I cant find any.

 

Take into consideration that the W500 has backlit screen, better on heat and battery, has a better gpu and turbo cache, and a camera lol.. Pretty much all extras that are nice..

i do apologize to those of you that think i am being a pain by posting this.. I just rele cant make up my mind and buy a laptop for this price at my age is alot of money and i kinda want someones opinion on this.

 

T61p, the performance would be very similar (the W500 does not have a really better video card).

"Take into consideration that the W500 has backlit screen"
Which is also the case for every LCD screen in the world...

 

doesnt it have something that lights the key board up like a light on the screen?

 

Thinklight: every thinkpad has it.

 

For the W500, you may want to consider getting 1GB instead of 4GB RAM if possible & then upgrade yourself buying RAM from online retailers like newegg.

 

i looked on new egg.. for 2 2gb of ddr3 chips its like $180 for the cheapest so i rather get it from lenovo so i don have to do it..

unless i wanna put ddr2 in it but i dont know if that will work

 

Anyway, for the moment the only real advantage that the w500 is battery life (and maybe heat), but it does not worth 800$us.

 

yea ur right.. now im just trying to figure out how i can get USXSAVE15NOW to work on my order since its over $1500.. any idea y its not>