Help me choose. Looking at T61P

Well I am looking at buying my first laptop. I am at my second year at a community college, but hope to transfer to a university (possibly for some sort of engineering or architecture program), so having a laptop that I could do some programs if I decided to go that route would be nice. I was looking at the HP6500 but with Lenovo's sale going on I thought I would look/go with the T61P as it seems it can do it all for me. And my mom has a T42 or T43, not sure and I really like how the keyboard is and just the overall feel of the notebook. Heres is what I am looking at...

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty $1,554.75
System Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate US English Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL) Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboards: Keyboard US English 1
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm Optical device: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim Upgrade to a DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim [add $37.50] System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader
Wireless cards: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro) Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Upgrade to a 9 cell Li-Ion Battery [$22.50] Power cord : Country Pack North America Language Pack: Language Pack US English Accessories and options:
1 Year ThinkPad Protection 40Y9213 $89.00

Is the Ultimate Vista really worth it? My buddy just got an HP with the 64bit Vista (I believe it is) and tells me I should also and I think thats what the Ultimate is. But would I really see anything great about it compared to if I just got the Vista Home Premium?

I am not sure which one of these I should go with?
PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot [add $18.75]

I just got the highest wireless card as it was only $30 more so I figured that would probably be a good deal. Or maybe not...?

Is the 2GB memory a good option or should I go to the 1GB as I see people saying you can add more later?

Does the 9 cell battery stick out of the laptop? If yes, then Ill stick with the 6 cell.


Any comments/suggestion very much appreciated. I am not a computer person so any help is welcome. Thank you guys!

 

Check the Microsoft site for a features comparison. Ultimate gets you Media Center, BitLocker, Ultimate Extras, etc.... Home can't join an Active Directory domain. If you have no need to join a domain, and don't need Media Center, etc, Home Premium is a good compromise.

Unless you've got high security needs and are using the machine in an enterprise setting, you'll probably never use the Smart Card slot. There are a number of express card options available and coming out (WWAN, SSD, etc) which you would probably be more likely to use.

The 4965AGN is a nice card. All of the cards offer slightly different features, so select the one that makes the most sense for you. I agree, for $30, it's not worth wasting a lot of cycles analyzing this

Aftermarket RAM is cheaper if you feel comfortable installing it yourself.

Yes it sticks out but offers significantly longer battery life. The dedicated video really sucks power. Don't dismiss it just because it sticks out.

 

Wow, thank you a ton for the help!! On the RAM, I've looked at a couple videos about take them out and putting them, doesn't look that hard. Would it void the warranty on the computer? So maybe ill just get the 1GB and upgrade with another 1GB later.

And I really have no need for a Domain (dont even know what an Active Directory domain is). So I really dont need the 64, even under the Business option? Sorry, newb when it comes to 32/64 bit, still trying to read/learn.

Do you happen to know how much more the battery sticks out?

Again thank you for your help, very much appreciated.

 

sticks out about an inch..... but well worth it. i was just about to make a thread on this. got a 9-cell extra battery for my t60 - this laptop won't die! it's been almost 7 hours and it's still going!!!

 

It's pretty simple and just takes a few minutes. It won't void your warranty either.

Not unless you are using it at a company or have a fancy setup at home.

If you plan to use more than 3GB of RAM, you need Vista64 to address it. Vista32 only sees a little more than 3GB. Right now there is a lot more support for 32bit -- you'll find there are some things (like iTunes for instance) that won't support 64-bit at all. Many common packages will work under 64bit just fine, so your mileage varies.

About 3/4 of an inch, but it's behind the screen and you don't really notice it other than when you go to put it in your bag. If you search the forums, I believe someone posted some pics of flush vs 9 cell. If you're mostly tethered to power, you could go the 6 cell route.

Anytime, that's what this community is all about.

 

Thanks for the info! I think I will go with the 9 cell then.

 

Thanks for the help! Right now I have no need for more then 3GB. I am not sure when I start running different programs what ill need. If I went with the Home Premium now could I switch to a 64 bit later and add the 4GB (or whatever I need to get to 4GB) then? Or is better to just get it now, though I am not sure if I need it/will use it.

 

I had one horrible experience with Lenovo and a T61P.

Worst order process ever. Terrible customer service department with conflicting lies.
Machine arrived defective. Lenovo says it's within their specs.
Sent it in, damaged by their carrier, yet they want me to pay to repair it.
4+ months and countless hours wasted on nothing.
Absolutely the worst experience I've had in the 25 years I've been dealing with the computer industry and thousands of transactions.

I ended up with a HP 8510w. It's faster, better quality, less money and I couldn't be happier.
Check out the $1850 one that newegg has. Best bang for the buck.

 

I recently purchased a T61P with 15.4" WSXGA+ screen, T7800 CPU, Nvidia Quadro Fx 570M video, etc.

I am really happy with this setup, it is truly a joy to use such a fast and responsive laptop, and I think the all black look is dead sexy personally! It makes the other brands look like toys, whereas the Thinkpad looks professional.

This is probably the most fun purchase I have made for years!

I have not seen one single BSOD or any type of Windows error or unusual behavior. I have been playing online games, working, using OLD programs from Windows 95 era, using crazy circuit analysis software, etc... So far everything has worked in Vista 64 bit, I thought for sure some of my software wouldn't work. Everything works perfectly, no crashes or BSOD's, it's like magic baby. This laptop is like a friggin lucky charm or something, it has made my work so smooth lately. It makes any computer task a whiz.

FYI I really need to mention, right when I got this laptop I did a fresh install of Vista. I have no idea if it would have run this great with the extra junk installed that it came with. Don't know, don't care. Don't know what Thinkvantage is, don't care. All I know is it works GREAT after the fresh install.

Let me tell you how awesome this laptop is...I was using it in the lab today for 2 hours, and I accidentally had it on Max Performance mode, which uses more battery power. Everyone was noticing how fast every program loads. anyways After 2 hours of working with circuit software and excel and word and stuff and looking stuff up online, I had like 60% of my battery charge left. WTF? That seems like more battery life than I would expect especially on max performance mode! This thing is fast, DEAD silent, and the battery lasts for so long, and it never gets hot. It's like a magic laptop I swear, it is hard to believe how awesome this thing is. On top of it all, it is tough, thin, light, and looks like a serious piece of equipment instead of a cheezy toy like 99% of other laptops.

I am so glad I didn't buy any other laptop!

P.S. - MonsterMaxx wants to convince people not to buy Thinkpads because he's angry at Lenovo. He had a bad experience with them but that doesn't mean you will.

He is also mistaken about HP's being cheaper. For example look at the $1850 model on Newegg he mentioned. Here's a link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147515

Well I priced out a Thinkpad T61p with the same specs, on the Lenovo website WITHOUT using any discount codes, the price was $1495.50 AND that is actually with a larger hard drive, 160 gigs vs. 120

So there you have it, about $350 cheaper for the same specs from a Thinkpad. If you don't believe me, just go to lenovo.com and select a T61p and pick all the options yourself and look at the price. All it takes is anyone with 5 minutes of time to go check the prices themselves and see that Thinkpads cost less!

Guess what... that is before using discounts. If you apply the SPP discount code which everyone around here uses, you will pay quite a bit LESS than that even!

To give you an idea, MY laptop was about $1800 but I got a much faster CPU, mine came with the T7800 2.6 ghz CPU that just came out this month!

Also, HP refuses to offer Intel Turbo Memory as an option with their laptops. I use Intel Turbo Memory (Robson technology) on my laptop and it makes it run very noticeably faster. I tried disabling it and it definitely makes a significant difference!

 

Did you configure this through the education link? Kind of seems expensive, also I would get the 2 year on site repair. Mine did have some cpu problems"Most likely due to my messing around voltages", but the benefits are really worth it. Instead of just replaceing my cpu they decided to replace everything but the hard drive lcd and cd player " I had no problem with free brand new parts". Also you can ignore monstermaxx, the guy loves to brag about his slower uglier lower quality system and you can't ignore that it cost a lot more. Why he bought that hp instead of a real game machine for that price is beyond me.

 

Thank you all for your help! I tried the education link in the sticky but there is no t61p option, only a t60p. Maybe I got the wrong site? I was just looking at Lenovo's regular site with the 25% sale they have going till Monday as I wanted to order tomorrow (today really).

 

I would try calling them, for some reason anything other than CA doesn't seem to come up right.

 

Yea you could get a T61p cheaper than the T61 you mentioned in the original post. I really don't think the hp is better than the thinkpad. I have the t61p myself and I am very happy with it.

 

The one in my original post is a T61p

 

FYI I ordered a T61 through WCSA/NASPO contract pricing through my school, and I got a really good deal on it, and the funny thing is, it said it was a T61 but it gave me the options of 15.4" WSXGA+ screen and Nvidia Quadro FX 570M 256 graphics, so what I ended up getting was actually a T61P.

Also, I know there has been some discussion about the differences between T61 and T61p. It has been said many times that the difference is the graphics card right? Well I found out there are actually more differences. Apparently the T61P actually has a slightly different chassis. For one thing, the headphone and mic jack are on the side of the chassis on the T61p, where they were on the front with the T61. Also the speakers are up by the screen hinges, whereas the T61 had them closer to the palm rest?

I'm not 100% sure this is correct but I read a review online that said these were differences and it even showed pictures.

 

Thanks for the info man!

One last question, whats the difference between the onsite and depot warranty? Last question, I hope, lol, still need to make my mind on a wireless card (trying to research them) and want OS I want. I hate making big choices, lol.

 

I think with the depot warranty if something goes wrong you have to send your laptop somewhere, with on-site if something goes wrong they send a tech to you. I THINK.

 

Why are u still whining about it ?. You got an HP and you're happy. So get over it. You sound like a child. The OP states he is looking at the T61p, if you want to talk about HP, you're in a wrong forum.

 

Yeah notice Monstermaxx doesn't own a Lenovo nor does he ever want to...Yet he hangs around the Lenovo forums.

He's just trying to get revenge on Lenovo...

 

These personal attacks are so childish...


I am simply disclosing the horrid way that Lenovo treats their customers, their defects and the warranty.

If revealing what they did to me helps one person avoid the horrors I went thru it's worth it.

Making personal attacks does nothing to help people or hide the facts of lenovo's unethical behavior.

 

What is childish is you trolling this forum spreading your lies. I could understand if you were just telling your story in a truthful way but you don't, you add embellishments and make wild baseless claims and bold-faced lies about pricing. You state very subjective personal opinions as if they were fact, then you don't bother to back them up with any evidence.

We all can see through your lies especially about price, all it takes is a 5 minute browsing of the Lenovo website to see that ANY configuration of Thinkpad is cheaper than the equivalent HP 8510!

We already know you lie about the pricing, so obviously we can't trust anything else about your story, who knows what else is a lie!

You should have stuck to the facts and not added lies to make the story sound better. We caught you in a lie and now nothing you say can be trusted.

 

gosh I never knew that Monstermaxx was that altruistic!!
Lets all give him a noble prize!!

I guess I should have listened to MM then I wouldnt have gotten the T61p which for some inexplicable reason has worked great for me....weird.

ps: btw let him post...it makes for good comedy when I visit the forums

 

Didnt want this to turn into a war, lol. I know I can choose between the HP and IBM, I am picking the IBM as thats why I am in the IBM forum, lol.

Can someone verify this? Thanks again for all your help, really learning a lot and making my choice easier!

 

LOL you can verify yourself just by reading the Lenovo website, it explains the warranty... I don't think i want to look it up for you, I'm not THAT nice...

 

lol, maybe im stupid, but I cant find it. I can find where you can look up what warranty you have and how to add a longer warranty...

 

Hmm well in my case when I was picking options to buy the laptop, after I was done picking CPU, RAM, etc... I think on the NEXT page after that, it had different options for different warranties you can pick and how much it will cost extra.

Check this out:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/thinkcentre_pdf/l505-0010-00-eng.pdf

Here's a quote

2. On-site Service
Under On-Site Service, y our Service Provider will either repair or exchange the product at your location. You must provide a suitable
working area to allow disassembly and reassembly of the Lenovo product. For some products, certain repairs may require your Service
Provider to send the product to a designated service center.
3. Courier or Depot Service
Under Courier or Depot Service, your product will be repaired or exchanged at a designated service center, with shipping arranged by
your Service Provider. You are responsible for disconnecting the product. A shipping container will be provided to you for you to return
your product to a designated service center. A courier will pick up your product and deliver it to the designated service center. Following
its repair or exchange, the service center will arrange the return delivery of the product to you.


So yeah it looks like I was right...