Interested in ThinkPad R61i

I am interested in purchasing this laptop, but I have a few questions that I've tried to find the answer to but apparently I'm too computer illiterate or I'm just too stupid to realize the answer, or perhaps both.

1) In the NBR review, I read that the R61 includes a "T7100/T7300" chip...yet on the Canadian site ( http://www.pc.ibm.com/ca/thinkpad/rseries/index.html), the label states: "Intel® Core™2 Duo T5250 - 1500MHz". I am confused.

2) According to the same site, I can upgrade my original 4 cell battery to a:
"Standard Battery (+$120)"
"Enhanced Battery (+$144)"
"High Capacity Battery (+$162)"

What relation do these "standard, enhanced and a high" capacity batteries have in terms of the number of cells they contain? Which is recommended if I am looking for approx. 4 hours of battery?

3) How to I extend my warranty to 3 years?

4) What does the bold text in the product name mean? "ThinkPad R61i - Free extra 1GB memory upgrade (customer installable)"

Thank you.

 

The Lenovo Canadian site is a bit different from the American one, so I can't answer the first 3 questions. On the American site you can extend your warranty on the second page when customizing your laptop, I'm guessing the Canadian site is not like that?

4) Free extra 1GB memory upgrade means exactly what it says, they will give you a Free extra 1GB stick of memory, it will be up to you to install it though. They should be easy to install in the R61, seeing as they are easy to install in the T61.

 

Is a memory stick additional RAM or is it the USB device where you can store data and files?

I will look into the warranty issue some more and see if I can find an option to extend the warranty.

 

Ahh sorry I didn't clarify. It will be an actual stick of RAM that you will put inside your computer.

 

I decided to ditch the R6i model.

Now considering the ThinkPad T61 Widescreen (16U) with the following specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7300 (2.0GHz)
• Windows Vista Business Edition
• 120GB Hard drive
• 1GB memory
• CD/DVD MultiBurner (DVD+/-RW)
• 14.1" WXGA+ TFT
• 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
• 1GB Intel Turbo Memory
• Gigabit Ethernet & Modem
• Wireless 802.11a/g/n and Bluetooth
• 6 Cell Li-Ion Battery
• Fingerprint Reader
• 3-Year International Warranty

Any comments/links to reviews on the above laptop would be appreciated.

 

I wouldn't ditch the R61i 14W. R61i is the same as an R61 except it "retail" Intel processors which are a bit lower in clock but the same Core 2 architecture. R61 14W is the same as T61 14W except missing some more advanced options & is slightly heavier due to 12.7mm optical. R61 is a GREAT value in the first place, R61i is even better (14W models only of course). See my answers in bold

 

You are a very smart man! T61 is a much better buy than the R series. Any particular reason why you are going with the nvidia graphics? If you aren't much of a gamer, I would highly highly highly reccomend that you go with the intel graphics because it puts less stress on the battery(longer run time)

The thinkpad ABG card has excellent reception. I'm not too sure if thinkpad ABGN exists in the thinkpad line yet, but if it does please DO get it. The intel cards are satisfactory at best, they need more juice and their reception is no where near as good as the thinkpad cards (atheros chipsets)

 

Thank you for your response, one thing though;

Performance wise, is there significant difference between the T7xx vs the T5xx?

The reason why I began to consider the T61 is because of the price deal I have access to via visaperks.ca (while a discount for the R61 is not offered).

The T61 with specs I noted in my previous post is available for $1,399 while the R61 would come close in price if I upgrade to a better battery and a longer warranty through IBM's regular purchase.

To be honoust, I don't have too much necessity for a great graphics card (I don't play games) although I will be attending University for math & physics, thus will need some form of 3D imaging. Any idea on how I can specify my graphics card here: http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/stor...ool=0&cells=0&title=0&bannerkey=0&aud=EA1VISA ?

Sorry, I'm not very familiar with what you are talking about here...

 

does the quadro produce more heat than the gmax since the visaperks.ca deal only comes with the quadro

 

I just got a R61i 15.4" for $576 AR. Should I return it? I'm seeing a lot of comments about how the 15.4" is not good. I appreciate any comments. Thanks.

 

Why don't you just decide on your own if it's good for you. There's a lot of FUD floating around on this board so take it all with a big grain of salt. I recently bought an R61i for my brother for $550 AR - it's a great machine and if anything it's built even better than my T61 (although it's the 14" model, not 15".)