Help on 1525 config please

Hello,

I'm getting ready to buy either a 1525 or a Thinkpad t61 here in the next day or two. I'm looking for a general personal computer that do general word processing, web surfing with lots of windows open at the same time and itunes or pandora running and not bog down like my current pos. I also need to be able to run photoshop and edit photos. I'm a little nervous about the matt screen on the t61 being too dim, so that is an advantage for the Dell. The Dell will also be about $300 less than a (admittedly better spec) t61.

here's my proposed specs, please let me know what you think. Some specific questions:

1) is there any advantage to discrete GPU for photo editing? I will not be gaming

2) any opinions on the screens' suitability for photoshop?

3) is the price increase worth it for the thinkpad?

4) Any advantage with an XPS 1530 over the Inspiron or thinkpad?

Thank you! I'll be pulling the trigger tomorrow if I go with the thinkpad because of some deals going on.

Dell:

T7250 (2.0 ghz/2mb cache)

3gb ram

15.4 1440x900 glossy

120 gb - 7200 hd

Intel x3100 GPU

Intel next gen N card


Thinkpad t61

T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)

Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT

System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)

Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Wireless cards: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)

 

oh yeah, the 1525 would cost about $1050 with 3 yr damage plan.

Thanks!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=230388

 

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that I like using dual monitors for writing and maybe for some photo editing too. Any advantage to a discrete GPU for those uses? My 3 yr old cheapo compaq crashes all the time when I plug in a second monitor.

 

I just got my 1525 about 1.5 weeks ago. I would definitely go for the T61 particularly because if you are a student you will be using it for awhile. Put simply, better specs will make future software demands more likely. NO, you can't exactly "future proof" your laptop BUT the T61 and the fact that they have the latest processors at a fair price is what you want to go for. In addition, I have a Samsung screen and it is NOT the best and has as much leakage as any. The fact that Dell knows this and still sends them out ticks me off. I am not going to keep sending it back and complaining but I AM unhappy about it. I was forced to get the Dell because of gift cards BUT if I were spending my money Dell wouldn't get it based on my terrible experience. To knowingly give a customer shoddy material is unforgivable. The build quality actually feels solid but I hate the placement of the power socket. If they had cared enough to provide quality screens and to have the latest processors I could possibly have a different opinion but since we are not dealing with suppositions and you need a laptop I would have to say "Dude, don't get a Dell"! I did configure a T61 and I found the pricing fair and not gamie. with the T61 you're getting CURRENT, quality parts with fair prices and great keyboard. It will keep you pacified in the years to come.