IBM NooBie - Q's re my new R61i

Hi guys.

I just got myself a new Lenovo R61i. I LOVE the solid feel and the no-BS design! I was getting sick of the plasticky junk from the other companies; it seems to be getting worse every year. Thinkpads feel like mil-spec quality in comparison.

Anyway, the point is... I know the R61i is the absolute low-end of the IBM range, and I was disappointed to find out it has only a 1.5GHz processor (T5250), but I think I can be happy with it if I optimise everything I can.

I've cut Vista to the bone, for starters. There's 2BG of RAM already installed, and I want to put in a Hitachi 7200rpm HD next.

Do you think this will make a significant overall improvement, given the relatively slow processor? Any other suggestions?

Thanks very much for any feedback!
Dave

 

Hi,

It really depends on what you use the laptop for.

for office applications, web surfing, I don't think you will notice any difference with a faster cpu or a faster HD.

you might start up faster with 7200 rpm HD, and you might start a program faster with it. But... who really cares?

I think with 2 GB memory and T5250, 90% user will be satisfied.

If you have the money, go for the 7200 rpm HD then. If not... you won't be missing it a lot.

I am using a X60s with L2400/2GB/5400 rpm HD. I just use it for office work, web, emails, and some photo editing. It's more than enough except the low screen resolution.

 

the hard drive isnt going to make too much of a difference, however i think you should uninstall the programs that you do not need. alot of the thinkpad tools use alot of memory.

 

Congratulations

I would skip the 7200 HD as well.

I wouldn’t consider the R61 to be the low end of the range – the 3000 family has that distinction. The difference between the R and the flagship T series is quite small.

I know what you mean about other consumer class notebooks – I went through four notebooks in three months untill I decided on the ThinkPad. I’m glad I did because I like the attention to detail; this laptop is much cooler, quieter, and has features that make sense for how most people use a laptop to be productive.

Think about stallen’s clean install guide to get rid of the bloatware. Other than that, enjoy.

Oh, and don’t get too hung-up on processor speed. Unless you’re using it for video editing or things that require lots of CPU power, you’ll be fine. A lot of people here either simply want the best money can buy or they put their laptop to the extreeme for whatever it is they do.

 

Wow, thanks for the fast response, guys!

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought - everything makes some difference, but (refreshing response) - 'who really cares?' Especially in the long run after the novelty's worn off! But, at least a spare HD will never go to waste.

As for the over-abundant nature of Vista OS and Thinkpad 'customer support'...
I'm slowly figuring out what can be safely uninstalled or turned off. Which, come to think of it, costs nothing and can give a fair amount of pleasure in itself... unless you screw something up(!)

Anyway, so far I'm loving this machine!

Thanks a bunch for the feedback.

PS - Icky, thanks also - yes, it's true that if I had it to do over again I might have spent much more, for no good reason - just wanting the 'best'. On the other hand, it hasn't escaped my attention that this 'slow' processor runs cooler and is easier on the battery. It's almost a Zen kind of thing, if you think about it... 8>)

Cheers!
Dave

 

I personally prefer a 7200RPM drive.

 

I would prefer it too, if money was no object!

Or perhaps if the 100GB/7200rpm Hitachi @ just over $100 would have been big enough - however, I would guess it probably isn't - not with Vista + the hidden restore partition.

[PS - I did burn the restore disks though, so I'm tempted to put in the 100Gb Hitachi and try to delete the restore partition. At worst, it would make a killer external drive.]


Dave

 

I am a fan of the 7200RPm drives myself but from its not necessary really but you do feel a performance difference. Wait a while and upgrade to the Hitachi 7200RPM 200Gb drive when the price falls.

 

I will wait as long as I can... but don't forget, not long ago 100GB was HUGE. Wait too long and 200GB will just be 'NORMAL' and we will want 4 or 500GB(!)
It will never end. 8>)
Dave

 

I'm waiting until Jan 2008. The 200Gb Hitachi should be under $200 by then i hope.