Considering picking up a T61 from the Outlet - Anything I should know?

My previous laptop at home is a 7 yr old Dell. It's a P3-700 with 128mb ram running Win2K. It takes forever to boot and the battery is useless. So, it's time to replace.

I'm partial to Lenovo at the moment because my work computers the last several years have been a Lenovo T60p and T42. (Though I'm open to Dell as well and they often have good deals on their outlet too.)

The Lenovo outlet has many T61's listed. I'm leaning towards a 14" model with 1gb RAM to which I'll had a 2gb stick later. OS isn't really an issue for me...if I don't like what it comes with, I'll load XP myself as I know the T61's will run it. I don't really care if it has bluetooth or not, but 802.11b/g is important.

My use of the laptop is for home...using it from the couch when I don't want to be in my home office where my desktop PC is. It won't necessary get really heavy usage, so I expect it will last several years. It won't travel much...maybe on vacation twice per year at most.

So, is there anything I should know in particular about the T61's or purchasing from the Lenovo outlet? Any reason not to go for one?

 

Sounds good, you should be able to get one from outlet at a great price. I have a T61p and love it, glad I didn't go for any other laptop. One thing I would advise it to call/email Lenovo and double check that the laptop you want does indeed have the specs that they claim on their web site. I have found the outlet website to be missing a lot of info about the machines. For example they will list some of have a DVDRW drive but don't mention what kind of battery it has etc. Just double check so you don't wind up getting a laptop without a feature you wanted.

 

No reason not to get one, if the price is right. The T61 is a great ThinkPad (though not quite as sexy as the T42) and it isn't that old a model.

Personally I would suggest getting the X61 since you already have a desktop machine.

 

The T61 (like all T series Thinkpads) is a very good machine. Here is this sites review for the T61. It is very well built, fast, reasonably light, good port selection, runs cool and gets okay battery life. The keyboard on it is fantastic (in fact many people with T400 Thinkpads are putting T61 keyboards into them).

It is entirely reasonable that you will get several years of service out of your T61. I used my T40 for 5 years (September 03-August08) and it is still in service with a friend. I used it very frequently and would carry it to classes, on vacations, and other locations all the time. Even 3 or 4 years down the line I preferred my T40 to most new laptops from other manufacturers (others faster but had worse keyboards, were less well built, and battery life was usually worse than mine). I finally moved over to an x200 now that they finally have a true full size keyboard on the X series.

The only thing you should make sure of when you buy it is that you get a new battery. Li-ion batteries do not have a very good shelf life and you don't want one that was manufactured more than 2 or 3 months ago. Every T61 will have 802.11 b/g. Some will have 802.11 a/b/g/n, but unless you need to use it in an office with a legacy 802.11a setup, or you really need the range/speed of 802.11n you don't need it. 802.11g is more than fast enough to share any residential grade internet connection (in fact, 802.11b is enough unless you have FiOS).

You should also consider your needs on the expansion slots. If you still have some legacy PCMCIA cards you should keep that option. If you plan on editing photos on your T61 (or just like having a removeable flash media for storage that sits flush) you should get a card reader. If you want to add interfaces in the future an Express card slot is probably a good idea. The smart card reader should be avoided unless you need to use one to authenticate your laptop for certain business purposes.

You may want to consider a 3-year depot warranty if the price difference is small. Most parts you can easily replace on your own, but if something goes wrong with the GPU, Motherboard, or LCD you are out of luck unless you have the warranty. I had an issue with the GPU beoming seperated from the main board on my T40 due to motherboard flex from frequently carrying the laptop with one hand (the rollcage was developed to prevent this) but IBM/Lenovo replaced the board and I got another 2.5 years out of my T40. You may also find that after 2+ years of using a Thinkpad you probably will refuse to buy a laptop from another manufacturer so the option to get it repaired/replaced is nice if anything goes wrong.

 

I thought about it, but considering most the time it'll sit on the coffee table on the couch instead of travelling, then the cost difference is still in favor of the T61. And even though I wouldn't need an optical drive often, I'd have to get a USB one or media slice for the X61.

 

It looks like on the outlet site they give a partial of the MTM and then the serial. Is there anyplace online to use the serial to determine the specs of the actual machine?

 

Jon - Thanks for the extended response!

Yeah, I just need b/g capable. I have a Linksys G router at home and a mix of b/g devices.

A media card reader would be nice, but isn't strictly necessary. I download most of my pics and such to my desktop which I can them move to the laptop via wireless or USB. No legacy pcmcia cards used. So I'm flexible on that.

Do they offer these options on outlet systems? Seems like most of the T's indicate a 1 yr warranty.

I see that some of the T61's have integrated Intel x3100 video and some have nvidia quadro NVS140. I won't be doing any gaming (well, maybe solitaire or jewel quest) on it and minimal photo work. Mostly Word, Excel, and Firefox. So, a minimal config T61 should be fine for me I think.

 

Yes. Check out the Lenovo parts lookup -> here

 

I know that you can buy more warranty after sales on a new machines, but I am not sure about Outlet products. My feeling is that you can buy more warranty. Double check with them to make sure

Yes, I think you should be fine with the integrated GPU x3100 based on your usage. The X3100 should be able to handle the minimal gaming that you mention. It should give you more battery life and less heat than the NVS140.
If you think you might do CAD, 3D work or higher level games then consider a discrete GPU like the NVS140 and better GPUs.

 

Thanks for the link Fire Snake

The one I'm looking at contains:

Processor - Intel Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista Business
Screen - 14.1 WXGA TFT, 14.1" WXGA, w/ BT, w/o Camera, w/o WWAN, w/ 11n
Memory - 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive - 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical Storage - CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo:24X/24X/24X/8X Max
Wireless - Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled)
Warranty - 1 Year
Battery - 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Features
1Gb Ethernet, touch pad, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader
Bluetooth - Bluetooth w/ antenna
Video Card - Intel GMA X3100

 

Specs looks good. You will definitely want to upgrade the RAM yourself to 2/3GB once you get it. 1GB won't cut it for Vista.

What is the price if you don't mine us asking?

 

Yes, I was planning on adding a 2gb stick myself for a total of 3.

Price (not including taxes or shipping...I don't know what those will be yet): Just under $700

 

That is a bargain. I wish Lenovo would open an outlet store for us in Europe. We can't even get the decent spec T61 for £1k, let alone $700!

 

That's a good deal. I say go for it. At that price point, you may not want to bother with an extended warranty. I had 3 year service on both my Thinkpads, but they both cost close to $2000, so the cost of an extended warranty was easily justified (when I bought the T40 in 2003, a 3 year depot was actually standard).

 

Thanks...I'm very tempted to go ahead and order. The only reason I haven't yet is because...I know someone at Lenovo who works with the EPP/CPP program and according to him an outlet sale will be coming up shortly to get rid of the T61 overstock in the outlet.

On the other hand...what is that saying about a bird in hand being better than one in the bush? :>

 

The saying is two in the bush. Lenovo has a 30 day price match policy, although you should verify if this applies to outlet computers.

 

Yeah...I don't think I'll count on a 30 day price match via the outlet.

I'm browsing stock right now to see if I see any other config I like better. I'd prefer a WXGA+ screen (1440x900), but WXGA (1280x800) is doable.

 

Nice to hear you're liking the idea of getting a T61. I promise you will not be dissapointed. I became hooked with IBM Thinkpads since my first one back in 2001 and had never looked anywhere except Lenovo.
I was planning on getting a T61 4:3 SXGA+ via Outlet but ended up ordering one from a eBay seller shipped to where I live (outside US).

The GMA X3100 is a ok integrated solution for your needs, actually it can run games like NFS Most Wanted or GTA San Andreas no problems.

The T61 I got is standard screen (1400x1050 pixels), the last of the Thinkpads ever to have this resolution. After using a T42p with the same resolution I didn't want to go widescreen, specially with those lower WXGA and WXGA+ resolutions. A WUXGA might be overkill since I don't want a monster Thinkpad, although my T61 rarely goes out from home.

Good luck ordering.

 

I've owned a centrino toshiba and a centrino asus and now I have moved to Lenovo's T series. I was never quite branded before but after a week of using this T500, I can tell you my next notebook will be a Lenovo.

 

Made the order...the other one got away from me...got sold...here's what I got:

Processor - Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T8100
Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista Business
Screen - 14.1 WXGA+ TFT
Memory - 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive - 80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical Storage - CDRW/DVDRW
Wireless - Intel 802.11agn wireless
Warranty - 1 Year
Battery - 4 cell Li-Ion Battery
Bluetooth - No
Video Card - Intel GMA X3100 GM965

$567 + $24 taxes = $591

 

Buy a bigger hard drive, battery and add 1GB of RAM and your set.

 

I noticed SXGA+ T61's are gone from the Outlet, I'm glad I got mine in time before their extinction.

 

Wow, thats a great price and a nice machine. I think you made a good choice. Like was said above, get a large fast harddrive, more memory, since it is so cheap now and a bigger battery. I would have also gone for the bluetooth. I thought I would never use it on my machine but I just bought a bluetooth mouse and it is great. No dongles or wires is very nice. From now on I will probably only go for bluetooth mice.

BTW - good move going for the higher res screen.

 

Well, I just got confirmation emails from Lenovo and the website may have been wrong about the screen res...and sales tax ended up $14 more than when I checked out. What's up with that anyway? So instead of $591 my total is $605.

Anyway, the email indicates my purchase (a 7661-RD5) is a refurbished 7661-E16. On the support page if I put in 7661-E16 it shows:

So, inaccurate, but not a huge deal to me. It does confirm 2gb RAM and shows DVDRW drive.

Now, the order status page also says my estimated ship date is Nov. 20!!! Why so long to ship an instock already refurbed system?

I'll probably add another 2gb ram (saw prices on newegg around $30 I think?) for a total of 4gb. Haven't priced a larger hard drive yet.

Bluetooth wasn't a dealbreaker for me. I would have preferred a system with it, but this one had the 2gb ram and DVDRW so for the price I was willing to sacrifice BT.

So, now I need to decide how much I want to play with Vista Business or load XP or some version of Vista x64.

 

Don't worry about shipping dates. I have seen people who order things that say 4+ weeks and it only took a few days.

 

Bummer about the shipping date and inaccuracy. Still a nice price, but I think you should make a big deal to them and maybe get some form of compensation. There really isn't an excuse for the screen resolution difference.

Also, you may not be able to get that 4GB you wanted if they shipped it with a 1+1GB sticks configuration.

 

Yeah, I'll see what the res is when it actually gets here and go from there. I'm betting on the outlet site being the one that has it listed wrong though. I did print the system page to pdf, so even though it is gone off the website I have the specs as they were listed.

If the memory is 1+1 on receipt, then I'll either live with just 2gb for awhile or get a 2gb for a 1+2 config and live with a total of 3.

 

I picked this one up at the outlet for 674.76 plus tax. It was new.

Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T7300 2.0 (800 FSB – 4M L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista Business 32
14.1 WXGA TFT
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz
80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG (supporting Centrino Pro)
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
UltraNav (Track Point and Touch Pad) with Fingerprint Reader
Bluetooth w/ antenna
Video Card - NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Warranty 1 Year

The ship date they gave me was a couple of weeks out too, but it shipped in 2 days and I had it 3 day later. I'll swap out the hard drive at some point. This is the first Lenovo I've owned. Been a Dell user. Not anymore, this is a great laptop. The Dell's will go to e-Bay!

 

The inaccuracy is exactly what I was worried about, thats why I mentioned it above. Hope everything turns out ok for you.

 

Well, looks like I'm on the hunt again. Unofficially I've been told:

...this order will have to be cancelled because the part was processed
on a different order and is no longer available.

So, I've seen a couple of topics that indicate the nVidia graphics are affected by some issue. Can someone summarize? How widespread is the problem? Should I avoid nvidia models?

 

Was this a new or refurbished ?

 

Hmm...I forget...refurb I think...but even though my order went through (got an order number, etc.) the box had already been sold so my order got cancelled. I'm currently waiting to see if I get an X200 I ordered or not.

 

Edit: Can anyone tell me how is the quality of the refurbished T61's from the outlet? Any noticable wear or something ? I've never purchased a refurbished notebook, so I just wanna see in what condition are they coming. How is the screen also ?

 

His order was cancelled.