I've had a T61 with XP for 5 years, zero problems. "Upgrade" to W7 or just get a newer model?

I'm satisfied with everything about it but haven't used any other notebook. Love the Trackpoint, love the keyboard, I guess the screen is fine (4:3) 15".

It's not my main computer, I have desktops for that (both of them have W7 64 bit). I don't mind the weight. It has a Core 2 Duo T8300.

Anyway, now that the demise of XP is upon us, the idea of dropping $100 or so on W7 doesn't thrill me (yes, my rig will run W7). I'd like to have USB 3.0 as well.

After searching for two hours at the Lenovo website and here, I'm asking you all: what's the best bang-for-the-buck replacement (refurbished is fine) for my venerable T61? The choices are seemingly endless. Only thing is it's got to have a Trackpoint, USB 3.0 and a faster processor is a given seeing as mine, State Of The Art years ago, is now rated #246 on a mobile processor hierarchy list I checked out.

I'm sure there are numerous intangibles to be considered: keyboard, flexiness, screen but that's almost impossible to sort out through reading reviews. If my T61 had W7 and USB 3.0 I wouldn't be asking these questions. OTOH, it can't last forever.

What would be your pick as an affordable T61 replacement? Affordable means around $500 if possible (like I say, refurbished is fine, doesn't have to be new). Thanks.

 

My take would be to install Middleton's BIOS, throw in a SSD and proceed to W7 with that T61. PCMCIA 3.0 card and you're done.

If you're dead set on replacing it, you might want to look into W510 with FHD LCD which should be within your $500 price range, give or take a few bucks. However, that one won't get you to USB 3.0

For a native USB 3.0 you'll have to look into something within *20 (or newer) series and that is likely to break your $500 barrier...and probably bring some disappointment regarding the build quality.

My $0.02 only...

Good luck.

 

I second RAM+SSD+BIOS MOD+PCMCIA, i also recommend a new battery while you're at it.

Anyways, it's not like you'll find a quality laptop for 500$ unless you wanna settle with consumer class laptops (some people like them, some people don't).

I really recommend you ditch XP asap, and Windows 7 comes with XP virtual mode in case you need to run legacy apps. Then again since the T61 doesn't have more than 4GB ram IIRC you are best served by the 32 bit version of windows since it is lighter on system resources and is compatible with older software.

Windows 7 is supported 'till 2020, so you have another 6 years of peace of mind and HOPEFULLY Microsoft will release a more desktop-oriented version of windows by then. While i do like Windows 8's changes under the hood, the whole Metro ui really turned me off as a loyal customer.

Linux is also an option, but don't get me started. For every good thing i can say about linux i can say something bad about it too, and this is speaking from experience. I'm not trying to start any flamewars here.

 

I have the exact laptop you do ( T61 with the T8300 processor, 2 GIGS of RAM, etc. ) and it's starting to get SLOW. I can barley type on it anymore. I've defreagged it all the time, run virus scanners on it for viruses, etc. it's just SLOW. I'm ready to jump to a W540. My friend just got in a W540 yesterday and I'm going over his house this weekend to play with it. I've got almost 7 years out of one laptop and it's just showing it's age now. Still LOOKS new, but running ancient technology now. Vista sucks, combined with 2 gigs of RAM and only a 160GB HDD is a laughing joke now a days. Even IF I were to upgrade my T61, it can only recognize 3 GIG's of RAM anyway so to me, it's not worth it. I'll still keep the laptop around for a programming computer, but as an everyday computer the end is VERY near for it.

 

Huh...T61 will run 8GB of RAM and all will be recognized in a 64-bit OS...preferably W7

Replace the spinner with a decent SSD and it's still a commendable option for daily use.

 

I keep mixing up the T61 and X61. Facepalm.

 

Actually, X61 supports 8GB as well...

 

i just got the ThinkPad T61p with a October 2008 build date. After installing 4 gigs of ram, and a SSD, the thing doesn't feel sluggish at all for most of the stuffs i use. When i need more grunt, i just switch on the desktop. T61 is a great machine, something that was truly engineered from the ground up to be an awesome laptop.

 

My old 14" T61 have 3GB ram with page file on SSD and it is a smooth sail like all my other newer machine. The keyboard +trackpoint is just unbeatable.

Personally, I don't see USB3.0 as a must have unless you do alot of sequential transfer with external/flash drives.

 

Nice catch. Congrats. Which reminds me...

I *really* have to clean out the T6x portion of my stash, way too may of them are not getting any use at all...

 

You are the Reserve when it comes to ThinkPad parts.

 

Sadly, I've thrown away probably half a dozen boxes of parts over the past 3-4 months. Stuff that no one wanted even for free.

But I got way ahead of myself grabbing T61 units lately from a couple of local businesses that were upgrading their equipment...

 

One mod not mentioned is a T9300 processor. T9500 is tops, but cost prohibitive. I picked up a T9300 a few years ago for $45. I'm running 8GB, T9300 and a basic spinner as my every day Solidworks machine. It's a 15" with a 570m graphics card.

 

Me again. Thanks for all the replies (this forum doesn't notify me whenever there's a new reply so I sort of forgot about it).

I've decided that USB 3.0 isn't as important as W7 but, yes, in answer to a reply above, I do a lot of uploading and downloading of large files (tiffs) through USB, either onto flash drives or external hard drives.

Two questions: first, I kept repeating to myself how I just wish my T61 had W7 and I wouldn't have to keep asking everyone "what should I do". So I go into the Refurbished area of Newegg and, would you look at this, there are T60 and T61 for sale with W7 already installed. No mention if the batteries are on their last legs (they say they don't test them). Anyone ever bought a Recertified Lenovo from Newegg? I'm not afraid of refurb stuff (cameras and lenses), I buy them all the time, but I think of all the components on a 6 year old laptop that might be just about to go.

And, I know there are "upgrading to W7 from XP" threads here and else on teh intranets but that's not my concern. My concern is that you can't buy a retail copy of W7, just "O.E.M" copies which technically can only be installed by "system builders" at the time of the build. I'm just swapping out one OS for another.

Where and when, if ever, would that come back to bite me in the but!, installing an O.E.M copy? When I were to change out a hard drive later on? Adding more RAM? IOW, having to revalidate the W7 license? In ways I can't imagine, or is it all good and that's how I should proceed. Thanks for your help.

 

I'd pass on a refurb ThinkPad from NewEgg, since they're all sold by third parties, and I've seen a couple of ugly ducklings that didn't smell or look right and were outright filthy.

OEM W7 - if you install it on that machine - will live and die with it. It can not be moved along to another system. I'd put it on a virgin SSD (yes your T61 deserves it) and enjoy.

My $0.02 only...

 

That's sort of how it is anyway, right? I buy a prebuilt system, it's got whatever OS on it, that's where it stays.

So (legally and technically) no problems on putting O.E.M. W7 on an already built system, although swapping out for the original OS necessarily means the system hasn't been just built. I'm just thinking an O.E.M. license is different than a Retail license.

 

It is.

If your board were to die - God forbid - your OEM install would die with it. A retail one could be re-activated through M$.

Theoretically, that is. Real life is something completely different.

Happy upgrading.

 

Personally I wouldn't do it. OEM W7 on a machine that old is money on an elderly machine that will die in the not too distant future. Then the cost of that W7 system dies with it as you cannot transfer it to another machine. For clarification read this Micros$ft link...

OEM vs Full Version - Microsoft Community

You can buy a USB3 adapter to fit in the card slot on the T61.

Personally I have gone T60,61,41, 400 and now T430 with full site 3 year cover including accident.
I was lucky as I got it on ebay at a good price two months old when the mobo died on the T400. I had to jump ship as my OEM licence couldn't be transferred if I changed mobo.

It sucks but sometimes it makes sense to move on.

 

t61p, LG wuxga, t9300 dual ida middleton bios, throttlestop for undervolt, 08/08 mobo, SSD, 8gb ram, Win 7 x64. It's truly a great machine, a little on the heavy side and warm side but I still use it and prefer it over almost any laptop.

 

t61, 1680x1050, t9300, middleton bios, SSD 120GB, 750GB 7200RPM drive in Ultrabay, 3 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 32 bits, Fedora 20, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Advanced Docking Station, Express card slot with Smartcard reader and 2 serial ports, TPM, 1920x1080 24" external monitor connected to DVI port, Kensington lock.

Runs fine, but could use an upgrade to 6 or 8 GB RAM. It runs warm, guess I need to use some Arctic Silver 5 and clean the fan. Battery life absolutely sucks, about 1 hour tops.

I am hesistant to upgrade, would need about 1K to replace this laptop and I prefer to spend it on something else.

 

Just put a StarTech.com 2-Port Flush Mount ExpressCard 54mm from amazon. About 35 dollars. Bingo, you have two USB 3 ports. You can even add a blue tooth dongle for a few bucks more and get free shipping on both. OEM copy of windows 7 will run you a hundred bucks. New battery on amazon will be around 20 dollars. They are pretty cheap. But from what I hear the battery life was never great for the T61 but with a new battery you should get at minimum 2 hours. So all that will cost you 160 dollars but you will have a sweet machine with brand new battery, upgraded OS, and upgraded USB with BT 4.0 If you do go with express card USB I'd would stay away from the cheaper cards. StarTech seems to be the bomb from what reviewers say.

Oh, if you need to change the HD later just call MS to get it validated. They are actually pretty cool about that when you explain what you are doing. About the only thing they might say no is if the MB blows. I'd get a SSD as well being you can always use that on another system. It will also stretch your battery life a bit as well as the obvious performance boost. If you take good care of your machine and its in good shape its probably better to upgrade it then to buy used. I would look at Ebay before newegg.

 

Yeah, unless you stutter on the phone. Had a friend who had to call who stuttered. MS didn't activate. I called one minute later for him. Got it activated np.

 

this is amazing...

 

If your T61 still works fine, why replacing it? just installed the new OS. The truth is that computer speed has not improved much over the past 6-7 years and new computers do not offer any significant advantage over old models.

 

If you're happy with your machine, I support the recommendation of upgrading it. It's unfortunate the Windows license is so expensive, but I guess that's how it goes with Microsoft.

With a new SSD, you probably wouldn't notice much of a difference between the speed of your computer and a new one (except in graphics tasks). And it's hard to find a laptop now that can match it in quality.

If you really want a "new" computer, you could look for a refurbished or lightly used T420s (which has a USB 3.0 port), T420, T520, or W520 that already has a Windows 7 license. You should be able to find one that would fit in your budget. Those models should still generally meet most of your expectations of quality after having used the T61 for so long.

 

You do not have to get rid of your T61. You can join the ranks of us crazy ThinkPad hoarders! After your 4th ThinkPad you will receive a T-shirt or Coffee mug with 'Crazy ThinkPad Hoarder' logo

I feel there is nothing wrong with getting a new model or even a laptop that is not a ThinkPad. For my situation it really boils down to my budget and curiosity. I got a Dell E6510 because I wanted to give the Dell business sector a try and because it would be my first Core i5 processor ever. The fact that the E6510 also has a trackpoint and 3-dedicated trackpoint buttons influenced my decision as well. Would I recommend a Dell? Not really sure as it is a totally subjective concept. I do not know the checks and balances of others in respect to their laptop usages. My feeling with any laptop is if I am just not 'feeling it' or if times get hard (I am a university student so this occurs frequently) I can always sell the laptop to help alleviate my financial situation a bit. It is nice to get a feel for various models and types. It also helps that I have three other backup laptops Going through a couple of models also benefits you as you will get an idea of which are more reliable and which you would recommend to family or friends as well. Good luck

 

That's not true. However, the need for more performance has not increased as much as before for some people.

But seriously; try playing a 1080P video on your T61... good luck with that. T7300 receives 714 points in Passmark Singlethread benchmark... the 2860QM I have in my W520 get's 1670 points. That's more than double... and it has double the cores. Meaning a nice render in a CAD program will take ~3-4 times less time. I sign for that!

Or even try unzipping and repairing downloaded stuff... you don't what that while watching a video on a T61.


\written on my T61

 

First, I'll say that once I got Windows 7 to look more like XP on my T60, I really liked it a lot - the search in file manager is a nice touch, and generally it worked great. On the other hand, it just wasn't cutting it for even basic web video anymore - I could barely watch things like the online streaming version of the Daily Show without the computer freaking out, and netflix was getting dicey. There's no real, true NEED to upgrade for many use cases, but online video and websites are expecting more and more processing power and that's only going to continue. An SSD will make it more pleasant to use, but I feel like in a year or so, the internet will become burdensome to use on a T6X. An upgrade might be in order, though you could certainly bide your time until you see a good sale.

Honestly, at this point, I'd recommend against the T44X line if you can wait - I feel like the next model cycle will have ironed out a lot of the kinks, though the various drivers are getting better and better (my internet finally stays connected! Yay for basic functionality!)

 

I would argue that while the *60 line - especially in lower-end configurations - is starting to get a bit long in the tooth, the *61 platform - when coupled with a SSD and a Penryn CPU - still has quite some life left in it. Obviously, everything depends on what one uses the machine for...

While I would agree that the *40 lineup might leave quite a few things to be desired, I'm doubtful that the *50 (or whatever naming/numbering convention Lenovo chooses) series will address any of the core concerns that the current ThinkPad series brought with themselves...

My $0.02 only...

 

If you're just going to email, browse internet, and watch youtube the t61 is still very capable with 4gb ram, ssd, middleton bios etc. We've issued them to a lot of people at my relative's company and in the last 6 years I think the t61 and the t420 has given us the least troubles.

 

Reviving my own thread. I want to be able to post process the photos I take for my real estate photography (and other photography) which I now do exclusively on my W7 desktops. I use Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 5.7 (and others) a lot. My T61 has never served more than, yes, email and internet searching. I've wanted to be able to use my T61 for my work while traveling (mostly in the past two years as work has increased in volume and complexity) but it just doesn't work for that.

It's a new day and now I'm zeroing in on a T530 with at least an 15-3320M cpu. I can get one used off ebay for under $500. USB 3.0 is a must as I do a ton of uploading and downloading off thumb drives of huge files.

 

I was recently in the market myself and to tell you a T420/520 is more than enough for just work plus the better keyboard. Mind you though if you were to change your mind and try to buy a T430 the hinges are not very good. Speed wise I doubt that you will be disappointed with a T530 but just don't over pay for one and raise your max bid at the last second to deal with the snipers.

At least I finally scored a T520 for a cool $139 after ship the other day on a last minute bid.

 

$139 for a T520 sounds good, lol.

Difference between *20 and *30 is quite simple;
with *30;

you lose eSata port (really, no reason for this, Lenovo!)
you lose decent keyboard (no reason for that either, Lenovo!!!)

you gain on-chipset USB 3.0 (thx to Intel, not you, Lenovo!)
you gain DP 1.2
you gain marginal performance
you gain marginally reduced power draw @ full load
fixed multi-screen Optimus in W-series (supposed to work on W520 already, Lenovo!!)

 

The HD and HD+ lcds offered on the T530 are sub par. The FHD is decent, but not great. You can get a new L450 from Lenovo.com with 1080p IPS LCD for $630, which seems worth the extra cash if you want to do Photoshop.

 

It's kinda bewildering how many models Lenovo has introduced since I got my T61 in 2008. And that's a good thing!

Regarding buying a used Lenovo: does the seller typically "wipe" the hard drive of all their programs? Do they typically do a clean OS re-install before handing it over? Is a clean re-install something you all do the first thing after you've bought a used laptop? I've got two passwords to get into my T61 (into the Bios, into the OS)--how does that happen these days, a fingerprint reader? Speaking of a fingerprint reader, how does one upload one's own fingerprint after taking possession? What happens to Lenovo programs such as "Battery Check" (probably not called that but where I can dial in when my T61 begins to charge the battery and when it stops charging while plugged in).

What do you, the buyer, check before taking possession?

Oh yeah, from my local Craigslist I'm vacillating between a T530 with 16 GB of RAM with two drives (SSD and HD) for $200 more than a W520 with the FHD monitor but 4GB RAM and 500 GB HD. Both have similar CPUs (rated around 120 on Notebook Check's mobile CPU chart). Decisions decisions...and yes, money is an object.