is it worth the 37$?

Hey all

I want to buy a TP t61, and i have doubts about what components i should upgrade for a lia little extra $. the computer will be used for mass surfing (lot's of IE window/tabs open) and video watching, and a bit of word 2007. but i need all this to perform very very fast without delays and hold-ups.

So, is it worthwhile tp upgrade the -
Intel� Core? 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)

to -

Intel� Core? 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2) [add $37.50] ?


or "Intel Turbo Memory 1GB [add $37.50] "?

This is the laptop i build
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...rtal/en_US/config.workflow:java-configure?x=x

 

I would go for the faster processor.
You will notice a pretty good speed increase in high demanding applications from the T8300
Turbo memory does not work, so do not be drawn into wasting money on it.
Just because it says turbo, does not mean it is fast. Turbo memory only speeds up a system if the harddrive has a slow 4200rpm drive in it. A high density 160Gb or greater 5400rpm drive is much faster than the turbo memory interface, making the turbo memory useless.

K-TRON

 

t8300 or just save your 37 dollars. the t8100 is plenty fast and cool.

 

Yup, K-TRON hit the nail on the head. Go for the 2.4 GHz processor. I have a T8100 and it's pretty quick but 2.4 would be a lot better for your "mass-surfing". Turbo memory sucks and doesn't really do much (basically like ReadyBoost).

-J.B.

 

I'd do the same as above, since $37 seems abnormally cheap for a .3Ghz upgrade.

Turbo memory only works with low amounts of Ram(< 1Gb)

Greg

 

K-T said and I agree with all unless 37.50 makes things tight, Go for it very nice price, even if with what you do does not need won't hurt.

 

thanks so much for ur advices.

one more thing if i may, i just don't know where i should stop with all the upgrades there. (my budget is pretty low indeed, just trying to grab the 25 % discount there) what memory would u recommend? and will this graphic card handle well with aero glass in vista?



---

 

I would get the 1Gb of memory on one memory dimm.
After you get your laptop, go to newegg and buy a cheap 2Gb memory card, which you can install into the second memory bay.

You should be able to pick up a 2Gb memory card for about $30.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211187

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134549

Your laptop will run pretty fast with 3Gb of memory. Its much cheaper to buy memory aftermarket than it is from the notebook retailer.

I would get XP over Vista, but its personal choice.
If you want vista, I would recommend upgrading to vista business, it is much more stable than home premium.

Your Intel GMA will have a bit of trouble running aero, and if you intend to game, youre making a mistake getting an integrated graphics card.

K-TRON

 

Last but not least, what's the different between this two?

- ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ [Included in price]

- Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [add $3.75]

 

The Wireless 3945 ABG is going to be better. The standard thinkpad wireless cards are not that great. In my opinion, the intel ones are better.

By the way, I edited my post above.

K-TRON

 

This is easy, their prices for upgrades are cheap but as a rule you do not upgrade through the OEM but they make it tuff. I can answer if I know what you want to end up with. The first costs nothing and a 1GB stick is better than two 512MB unless you are going to stay with 1GB total. What I would do. I would take that free upgrade 1GB 1stick, I would then go to NewEgg and buy a 2GB stick for $40 not the $82.50 they offer and end up with 3GB. 32bit OS cannot recognize much more than that, they cannot recognize 4GB. If 2GB is enough do as above but buy a 1GB stick for $20 not the $52.50 they offer. Other option take the free 1GB stick use as a paper weight, buy 4GB for $80 vs their $157.50 plus you got a paper weight. I think 2GB is fine if on a budget, but many Vista owners believe that 3GB really helps, so if in budget I think 3GB is best but not from them.

Edit: I type slow!

 

I would take the better CPU over the turbo memory. turbo memory in tests, does almost nothing for you. The slightly better processor will give you something you can actially use.

 

I won't use it for games. so nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, PC Card/ PCIe is ok for aero?

 

Sam, just before you buy. Know that you can get more discount on that Lenovo!

Also the Dell Vostro 1500 and 1400 are -$500 from today.

 

And yes, the 140 (8400gs) is good for Aero.

 

The ThinkPad card is made by Atheros, it runs cooler and picks up signal much better than the Intel 3945 card, not to mention it's cheaper.

google atheros vs intel if you like

 

i can't say much for temperature, but the intel agn card i have now is much better at picking up a signal than the 2 previous atheros cards i've had. i can vouche that the atheros was faster at finding and signing in to my network but on the other hand, the intel finds other networks my atheros didn't probably taking longer to do so.

 

I have the Atheros n, and it's goooooooooooooooooooood. I'm getting an M1330 with 4965agn so I can sorta compare soon.

 

the intel 4965 a-b-g card blows my atheros card away . it picks up more networks with stronger signals , at least that is my experience