Help me select new Thinkpad and Docking solution

I am going to use the "pick a notebook" format in hopes that it will help in the context of my Thinkpad selection. I am trying to decide primarily which T61 model would be best T61 vs T61p and I am very interested in what other specs/options the readers here recommend based upon my planned usage and preferences listed below. I also need your inpput on what docking solution makes the most sense for both office where I will be working.
FYI I am also drawn to the x300 except A)the docking solution sounds problematic when using an external larger screen and B) having to dock the x300 several times a day on occasion with multiple connections required each time soounds pretty lousy and hard on the connections and C) have a 13.1" screen on the notebook I am getting rid of and would lean towards a bit larger screen if possible:
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General Questions

1) What is your budget? (approx $3000 including warranty coverage and MS office software installed. I have a EFF discount so if I can get out for less that would be great)

2) What size notebook would you prefer? ("b" T61/ T61P or possible "a" if docking issues are resolvable or not as bad as I have been lead to believed based on post in these forums for docking a x300)

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? (Thinkpad as have a EFF discount unless there is something lse out there comparable quakity at discounted price.)

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? (90% MS Office apps - Outlook/Word/Powerpoint the rest internet and occasional multimedia apps from clients that I am asked to try out for background info).

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? (Yes it will be mobile. I have 2 offices - West coast/East coast where I will need a good docking solution in both locations including keyboard and 22+" monitors in each office plus time traveling in between and working out of the office at client locations)

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? No

8) How many hours of battery life do you need? (3-5 would be great but 3-4 is OK)

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? (Not in person is fine)

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc. (XP or Vista- I have been looking at threads and am torn as I have XP on desktop and am comfortable with it and am concerned about compatibility/battery usage and learning curve with Vista though I know Vista will be around for a longer time down the road)

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? (Standard given lots of Word docs and email and relatively little multimedia content)

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? ( Likely "b" given usage and eyesight challenge of smaller fonts)

Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.


13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? ( Mostly indoor so I would say glossy would be ok but the Thinkpad threads suggest that the T61 is pretty dark/ low contrast to begin with and x300 screen is suppose to be great -though the screen size is a bit small for what I am considering)

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? No

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? (ASAP and at least 3 years)

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? (160GB but could livbe with the x300 64GB limit and use a second HD with right docking station if necessary)

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? (Optical would be nice either CDRW/DVD-ROM or DVD Burner but could use a burner with docking station)

I would appreciate anything you might suggest in ordering my Thinkpad in and docking solutions the next few days.

 

T61....as long as you get 32-bit Vista and the 14" standard screen, it's perfect.

Also, purchase the Advanced Dock.

 

From your questionnair, i would suggest the X61 because:

1) It has the new Penryn 2.4 Ghz CPU (2x faster than the X300)
2) It will cost you only about $1000
3) You prefer Standard 4:3 screen. Although it is XGA, the font size IMO is perfect. You will also likely have it plugged into an external monitor.
4) A dock is available if you want one but personally, the dock doesn't provide anything extra that the laptop itself doesn't have. You can buy a external slim USB DVD burner separate for about $100. This is more convenient as you can carry the DVD burner with you when you travel.
5) The X61 is just as light as the X300
6) The X61 has better battery life than the X300

 

Get the advanced mini-dock, not the advanced dock. You don't need the extra pci-e slot the advanced dock has.

A T61 non-p will be fine for you since you said you don't play games.
SXGA is a good choice, and get the larger capacity battery.

Yeah, X61 will work for you too, if you're willing to accept the lower resolution. Ultrabase is a good purchase though I think.

 

In terms of docking solution what I am looking for is set up where I have a dedicated larger external monitor(22" or larger), keyboard, printer and external hard drive already hooked up to each docking station for in-office use. Which dock makes the most sense with those parameters to the forum readers?

 

advanced mini-dock ... You don't need the capabilities of the advanced dock which are an additional ultrabay slot and ability to insert a half-height pci-e video card

 

Really? So you can insert a video card on the dock? Will that dock work with the X61?

 

I am thinking about this config. Any comments suggestions would be appreciated. Hoping to use this for 3+ years so willing to pay a bit more to future-proof it a bit in terms of memory, video and warranty coverage.
8891CTO ThinkPad T61 - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
14.1 SXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)10 (Is this or their other wireless option better)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60 Battery (will get another battery later as they are backordered at the moment)


Processor1 Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
Operating System12 Genuine Windows XP Professional
Operating System Language Genuine Windows XP Professional - US English
Display type 14.1 SXGA+ TFT
System graphics NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
Total memory8 3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard US English
Pointing Device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard Drive4 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device5 DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot

Wireless Card10 Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)

Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery60 6 cell Li-Ion Battery (will get another battery later as they are backordered at the moment)

Power cord Country Pack North America
Language Pack Language Pack US English

Microsoft productivity software preload Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 - English

41C9338 3 Year On Site Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection (looking for 3 years protection onsite)

40Y7659 ThinkPad 90W AC Adapter (US/Can/LA) Should I get the ThinkPad and Lenovo 90W Slim AC/DC Combo Adapter?

250410U ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with US/Canada/LA Line Cord

 

go for a t61 with the advance dock

 

Why advanced rather than mini dock? See discussion above on this point. Based on my described use, is their an advantage getting the advanced (for instance 22+" monitor or additional connections)? I am unclear which is best for my planned set-up.

 

No there is no advantage in powering a 22+" monitor with the advanced dock. I'm pretty sure it's a gimped slot anyway. It's not designed for the latest 9800 GTX ULTRA or whatever. The only real use I could see is if you wanted a dual DVI lower powered video card.

I don't know why 2 people are recommending the advanced over the mini-dock. I have the mini-dock and it's exactly what I needed. Comes with additional power supply and has dvi-output. The T61 or X61 (dedicated or integrated graphics) itself will be fine powering a 22" monitor (actual resolution is only 1680x1050) or even a 24" monitor..

X61 is not compatible with advanced or mini-dock, it has its own ultrabase dock.

 

Thanks elfroggo. That clears that up. Anyone else have any suggestions/comments on the system confi that I am considering ordering?

 

I still don't think you really need a docking station. But if you have the money go for it. My setup is a USB hub, where I have my printer, external HDD, USB DVD burner, and wireless mouse dongle plugged in. All I have to do is plug the VGA cable and USB hub to my laptop and I'm ready to go. Works great and saves $300. Just a thought but if you aren't strapped for cash, the dock does provide a added convenience.

 

I have the mini dock with my T61p and I love it. But I also have a USB hub hooked up to the dock due to all of the accessories -- printer, mouse, monitor, hard drive, iPod, etc. The dock is also used for the a wired LAN (ethernet) connection. Having the extra power is super convenient. Unplug from the dock and go. The laptop's AC adapter stays in my bag.

 

You get a power adapter along with the docking station, and by itself, a power adapter isn't all that cheap.

If I want to plug in my laptop with external setup, that's
1) VGA
2) external Keyboard
3) external Mouse
4) ethernet
5) microphone
6) sound output

So I like the dock, plus you get DVI output which is a big plus