W3J vs. T60

Hi guys, I'm going to be attending college this year and have the (strongly recommended) option of either leasing a school computer that will be a maxed out T60 for $2300 or whatever iteration of it that will be available in July or buying my own computer. The W3J would be the best bet for me because of its compact size if I were to buy my own. I like the video card in the W3J, but the T60 will have 2gigs and a larger hard drive, a well as solidworks and a whole host of software preinstalled (I would have to buy the licenses for the software individally if I were to purchase my own notebook). Would it be worth it to lease the school offered thinkpad or to buy my own notebook? Thanks.

 

I don't exactly understand your situation but if you're going to get a really sweet deal by getting the school "loaner" you're basically missing out on an upgrade in aesthetics and graphics card. How important is the graphics card to you? Do you play a lot of games? But you'll also be getting an upgrade with the screen (maybe) and build quality (not to say asus isn't good, I think most would rate them right behind IBM).

If it isn't that big of a deal, the x1400 is more than servicable, it isn't as good as the x1600 but it gets the job done.

 

The only downside I see is that with the lease im guessing that you loose the use of the laptop once you leave??? Thus if you buy and ASUS you have the option of selling and recooping some cash, which can be used to fund you next laptop.
My advice would be to see how much it would cost to deckout the ASUS with software etc...if its about the same go the ASUS, if the imb is alot cheaper then go that way instead.
a

ps you should be able to get some good deals on education versions of most software, there is also the free options such as openoffice, if you need to keep costs down.

 

I probably will be playing games so I suppose the video card would be quite important. Even so, the thinkpad will most likely have 1gig, T2600 (They issue the specifications in August to produce the most up to date configuration; still too late for merom) and a similar hard drive. I intend to wait for the orientation in July to check out the feasibility of buying the software suite seperately. The major factor is the warranty. I will look into the W3J's warranty to see if asus can match the thinkpad.

 

You are probably looking at 2 year if you're outside of the USA. Otherwise its one year with the option to extend it for a total of 3 years for about 170 dollars.

 

I've got the 15" T60, and it's got one of the best laptop screens I've ever seen, I dare say, even better than that on my old Fujitsu E7010. Keyboard is a lot better on my T60 than the few ASUS notebooks I played with at various stores, much easier to touch-type, but also a tad noisier. The x1400 may not be able to play games at the highest settings; the highest 3DMark05 I've been able to achieve is 2268 (Omega drivers with only GPU o/c to 450kHz, couldn't figure out how to o/c the video ram), which is less than half of what the x1600 on the W3J can achieve. If you want looks and to play games, I'd go for the W3J, but if you want the best screen, keyboard and build quality, then go for the T60.

 

I use to own an IBM T41 and a few older ones too. I currently own an Asus. What I can say IBM is the best business laptop period. The keyboard is the best on any notebook, the reliability is unsurpassed (I've never returned any thinkpads for repair), its built like a rock, I like the thinklight too etc. The only downside is the graphics so don't expect top notch performance. The graphics can handle current games probably at med to low resolutions settings.

I would say IBM is fraction ahead of Asus. I really do like Asus laptops... It kind of reminds me of IBM quality if you know what I mean

If you play a lot of the latest FPS I would go for the W3j because in future the graphics on the IBM just won't hack it unless at low resolutions and settings. W3j has future proofing although settings may have to be reduce to med in the future.

 

If gaming is important for you definetly go with the w3j with the x1600, with the significant increase in graphics power itll be able to play the latest games at med/high settings longer than the x1400 would, and assuming that you'll be keeping your laptop for a while (as college depletes your money at an fairly rapid pace) it'll be a more sound choice down the line.

True, thinkpads have a rock-solid design, but performance (especially from the video card, as it can't be upgraded down the line) has a slightly better appeal to us college students. Besides asus is no slouch in build quality either .

As for the software part most colleges have deals for students in regards to obtaining licensed software at an often extremely reduced price (I got xp pro sp2 and office 2003 professional for a grand total of $20 from mine), so if you havent checked already with your school be sure to do so. If your school doesnt tho, like Underpantman said companies often do sell education versions of their software directly to students.

 

TechnoSmurf, kool, i will havta cehck if my univ gives deals like that for XP, hmm if not, would you mind supplying people with them? hehe would be nice!

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

My school only gives the "deals" to those in the computer field. My friend was a CS major so he got the same deal techno got. I'm not and I get nothing. Plus they can only order one copy of everything. It is regulated pretty tightly.

 

That sucks kiekegaard =\. Its the same deal here in terms of how many copies you can order, 1 copy of everything and not a single thing more than that and its regulated for like all 4 years. I tried ordering another copy of xp only to be told the exact day, time, and method of payment I used to order my current copy