If you get Vista Ultimate it's 64-bit!!

Yeah, another story about a Lenovo sales rep giving information.

I just called and asked if I could get the 64-bit version of Vista if I order a T61. He said I would have 64-bit if I get Ultimate. I told him I was looking at the website and all versions offered were 32-bit. He navigated to the site and said "Where... it doesn't say that." I said "Well it doesn't say that it is 64-bit and I'd be surprised if it were since the general public wants 32-bit." He said "Well that's just the way it is. That is the agreement between Lenovo and Microsoft. Our Ultimate version is 64-bit."

I tried to call back and ask the same question to another rep but after being on hold for about 10 minutes I somehow managed to get the same rep so I hung up.

Also, I asked the question.

When will Lenovo offer a 15.4" T61 with an nVidia card. He said by the end of the month. Whatever....

So there ya go, "Believe it, or not."

 

Is it possible the sales rep didn't know what he was talking about?

 

i have windows vista ultimate on my T61. It's the 32-bit version pre-installed by Lenovo. So yea, I don't know what that rep was talking about.

 

He didn't have a clue. That's why he answered you the way he did when you challenged him and I am willing to bet that it is 32 bit unless otherwise specified.

 

Technically speaking, all versions of Vista are 32bit and 64bit. The key provided works with both install versions, so you could use either one you wanted if you had the install disc.

 

Really? I was under the impression that the key is different. Do you know if it's just for Ultimate or Home Premium on up? If it isn't different, then that's great news! Still have to get a 64-bit install disc though, but that's better than how XP 64-bit was (definitely had a separate key).

 

Well, I just know this for Vista Business. The other versions may not even have a 64bit disc so I cant say for sure.

 

I just checked with someone at work and I was told that the same copy for Ultimate will unlock 32-bit and 64-bit functions.

You cannot rely on the service rep on these questions that may not come up all the time for them. They are just trying to get by another day of work
The rep should have researched the information, but the amount calls they are handling, I understand why they would just tell you what they know.

 

Just wanted to throw this out about the Lenovo Vista Ultimate being 64bit. The N200 I reviewed was listed as coming with Ultimate 64bit on the website, but only had 32bit installed on the laptop, with no additional discs to let you install 64bit even if you wanted. You would need to acquire a 64bit disc through your own means if you wanted to install it.

 

As I'm aware of there is only ONE Vista distribution. It is the keys that enable the different versions and you can choose between 32 and 64 bit upon installation in the business and ultimate version (???)

 

That's true for retail copies, but I thought it was different for OEM copies?

 

This is correct. Home Basic, Home Premium, Business & Ultimate are all on the same DVD. Enterprise is on a separate DVD.

 

The different editions (Basic, Premium, Biz, Ultimate) are on the same DVD, and different keys unlock the different editions. But the 32-bit version is on a different DVD than the 64-bit version. At least that's my understanding.

 

You should have asked your sales rep when the T61p was being released. There's no doubt that he would have provided you wtih a date!

 

I specifically asked him twice for a date for the T61 15.4" with nVidia card. He siad there isn't an official date but it will be out before the end of the month.... grain of salt

 

I was told there were driver/incompatability problems with 64bit version and thats why you don't see that option listed anymore on the T61

 

My T61 came with Vista Ultimate 32-bit, I reinstalled with Vista Enterprise 64-bit.

 

Did all the 64bit drivers from the lenovo support website work ok? I plan on doing the same when I get mine.

 

When the T61 was first posted on the website...I don't recall where though...but somewhere on the customization screen it said that Ultimate was 64 bit...but who knows as there was so many problems with the site when it first came out.

 

Every driver worked fine, every piece of hardware works like a dream

 

Cool - thanks...sort of chers me up a little...but I've still got 3 weeks to wait! for the laptop to arrive!

 

All versions of Vista are available in 64-bit, you just have to order a DVD from microsoft with the key that came with your version: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx

 

That doesn't work on OEM copies, so you can't use that with a laptop windows product key.

 

But if you know someone that has the 64bit disc, you can borrow it and install it with your key.

There really are two disks in the consumer market. 1 is 64bit and 1 is 32bit. Both have all the consumer versions (Home, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate) and the versions are determined by your key. This lets the whole upgrade on demand work where you can pay a small fee to upgrade from a lower version to a higher version without you have to get new disks or anything.

Also great for installers so there are not as many disks to have laying around.

 

According to the Hardware Maintenance Manual found in this thread for the upcoming T61p and T61, Vista Ultimate is 64 bit while the other Vista options are all 32 bit. See pages 138 through 140 of the Hardware Maintenance Manual.

 

Sho does... on page 146 for the 15.4" maintenance manual.

 

My Order Summary says it is ULTIMATE 32:

1 7662CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
06/22/07 $1,570.50 $1,570.50
7662CTO CTO THINKPAD T61 WITH NVIDIA GRAPHICS - 1 YD
42V8191 INTEL CORE 2 DUO PRCESST7500
42X1587 SBB MSWIN VISTA ULTIMATE 32

 

Maybe the rep I was talking to knew what he was talking about. I was inquiring specifically about getting a T61 15.4" with an nVidia card. The about Hardware Maintenance Manual is also referring to the 15.4" T61 or T61P.

@crolee - yours is not a 15.4"

 

FYI:

BEWARE if you think you're getting Vista 64bit installed on your T61!

Last week I ordered a T61, full gambit of options, (T7700, Windows Vista Ultimate, WWAN, etc.) $3000+

After ordering I reviewed the email confirmation and saw Vista 32bit being installed on the T7700 64bit processor. After talking with the salesrep I was told Lenovo only installs 32bit Vista as this is the licensing agreement with Microsoft and the DVD's will not be shipped with the system since one can create refresh disks from the hard-drive (not for 64bit since 32bit is installed).

I have no use for another 32bit OS especially on a 64bit processor! After confirming this with another salesrep I immediately cancelled my order. I waited 9 months for the T61 to come out and all the reviews state Vista 64bit is on the T61 but not according to the salesreps and my own order confirmation - SO BEWARE if you are expecting the 64bit Vista version is being installed on your T61!!

 

Unfortunately, that happened to an old colleague also. But here is what I found out yesterday from a distributor:

- There are rumours about some driver problems with the T61p (15.4-inch widescreen models) or/and overheating problems caused by the grafix chip. There are also rumors that IBM/Lenovo _STILL_ have the 3GB RAM problem on the T61p and Vista x64, thou they use the 965 chipset! IBM/Lenovo used to put the blame on the chipset on the T60, T60p etc AND the 32-bit version of Vista, but now, they have actually planned to ship some T60p models with Vista x64 preinstalled. Now you can understand their dilemma; Intel 965 AND Vista x64 = support for 4GB RAM... but it only shows 3GB.

We ordered a few T61p laptops, but they seem to be delayed more and more! We even ordered some models that are already unavailable and no one can order them anymore, besides, IBM/Lenovo took away them fast as HELL from their website!

If you are interested, here are the models which I am talking about:

NH36XSW ThinkPad T61p CD 2 T7500 (2.2GHz), 2048(1024x2) / 100(7200) / Multi / Giga / 15.4" WUXGA (1920x1200), nVidia Quadro FX 570M, Security Chip, Modem, Intel 802.11n, Bluetooth, FPR, CR 4-1, VU 64 <----- You can still Google on this one, but it does not exist on Lenovos homepage

NH36XMS TP T61p C2D T7500 (2.20GHz-4MB-800MHz), 2048(1024x2) / 100(7200) / Multi / Giga / 15.4" WUXGA (1920x1200), nVidia Quadro FX 570M, Security Chip, Modem, Intel 802.11n, Bluetooth, FPR, CR 4-1, VU 64 3Y <---- This one I saw on their website only once, and it was around 15-16 May, now it is not there anymore

Smells funny me thinks...

 

Totally confused and a rookie.....

I would like to run 4GB ram. My understanding is this only an option with 64 bit, correct?

Now, lets say they ship my machine with 32 bit. Can I get the DVD from them to upgrade to 64? If it doesn't come from Lenovo, how do I get it? Do I have to pay for the full Ultimate DVD from Microsoft (hundreds of dollars)?

If Lenovo doesn't send a DVD, what do you do if your system crashes and you need to reinstall Windows?

If I end up with 32bit and do the 64 bit upgrade, does it require a format of the HD and complete re-install of all software and drivers?

 

You can still put 4G of RAM in your machine, but 32-bit Vista might not see it.

You can also get the 64-bit DVD from here for $5. Mine hasn't arrived yet, but I ordered one:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=52607747&pfp=EXTERNAL

It's not the DVD itself that costs money, it's the license. If you already have the license, you should be able to use this disc to upgrade to 64-bit.

 

I have a T61 capable of running 64-bit. Only have Ultimate 32-bit.

For general everyday usage -- no CAD type software -- is it advantageous in anyway to even bother switching?

 

Not right now, no. The only reason I'd recommend switching would be if you use extremely larger files and would benefit from 4gb ram, or if you want to run Maya 64, or something like that. For general use the driver support still isn't good enough to make it worth it.

 

^^^ Ok - Thanks for the insight.

 

This was an old dead thread. I started this thread. The title was found to not be true. Perhaps the 32-bit vs. 64-bit discussion should be in different more appropriate thread so it won't confuse anyone.