14" T61p with 570m. Should I buy?

Hi all,

I'm tempted to buy this machine. My biggest concern is the screen. I heared a lot of bad things about the 15" models, how about the 14" models? Also, I've so far never seen a 14" model with the nvidia 570m. That's quite interesting. But then, the t400/t500 is around the corner...

URL:
http://ok1.de/product_info.php/info....html/XTCsid/sva1udl5nc66hgpf44j6n6b7m8u4l4ht

Specs:
ThinkPad T61p Modell: 8889-ALG (UI0ALGE)

Prozessor:
Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 NV 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz Front Side Bus, 6 MB-L2-Cache

Arbeitsspeicher:
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2-SDRAM 667 MHz, max. 4 GB
(1 Slot Frei)

Festplatte:
200 GB SATA, 7.200U/min
Harddisk with Active Protection System
Intel Turbo Memory

Display:
14.1" TFT-Farbdisplay, SXGA (1400x1050)

Grafikkarte:
nVidia Quadro FX 570M - 128MB Video RAM

Laufwerke:
Super Multiburner Plus

Netzwerk / Kommunikation:
10/100/1000 Ethernetadapter
56k Modem
Intel WLan 4965 a/g/n
Bluetooth

 

If you can wait get the latest and greatest "right around the corner".

I'd get a 14.1" widescreen R61 with the NVS gpu to save money and then opt for a BD RW. (with T9300). Probably cost about the same with the BD option.

 

The 128mb 570M on the T61p has a 64 bit memory bus instead of the 128 bit memory bus found on the 256mb 570M on the 15.4" T61p.

But honestly, I don't think its too much of a disadvantage as its still a decent card.

Otherwise, the battery life with the 6 cell is still a bit lacking (less than 3 hours). That was the main reason why I didn't get one.

 

that would be indeed a point. this one has a 9 cell battery. but then i think its heavier and i dont find it appealing to have the battery stick out of the back

 

I get at least 3.5 hours with my 14" T61p and 6 cell starting from 94% full with screen at about 1/3 brightness. Running XP and set every available parameter to slowest/lowest power consumption level. Of course I'm not playing games or anything, just continuous browsing and word processing, etc.

 

How much would a T61p with 570FX & 6-cells last?

 

All T61p's have 570FX's...

 

As was already mentioned, the 570m in the 14.1" T61p is crippled. I'm not sure how the crippled 570m it has compares with the NVS 140m.

Montevina, Intel's new platform, will be released in early June, though I'm not sure how long it would take to see it in laptops that you can buy or how high the premium will initially be.

 

Battery life really sux with the Nvidia 570fx. I bought the T61p wanting to be able to play games occasionally, but never thought about battery life. I have the 9 cell and honestly I'd be lucky to get a solid 3 hours. I have the 15.4" though. Sort of wish I got a regular 15.4 with the intel integrated chip (or something low end) since I mostly use my laptop for business now. The battery meter estimates 3.5 hours for me with a full charge. Not really realistic if you actually using the machine though.

 

I have the same as you except mine being a 6-cell. That pretty much means I'll be getting 2 hours?

 

There are "powermizer" options to help the battery last longer.