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    Do I need an upgrade?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by BNHabs, Feb 20, 2010.

  1. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    My T61 Specifications:

    Windows Vista Business 64-bit
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T9300 @ 2.50GHz
    4GB DDR2 4-4-4-12
    NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
    160GB 7200RPM HD

    Are these specifications on a 14.1' laptop still good now-a-days..?
     
  2. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    depends WHY you want to upgrade...the specs are perfectly respectable, and it would still kick some of the newer laptop's arses.

    that said if you really want a new laptop, then go ahead :)

    on the other hand, if you just want to spend some money, then go ahead with your "future upgrade" plan!
     
  3. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Just wondering.. I always want to have the best! What are the specs on your laptop..?
     
  4. wilse

    wilse Notebook Evangelist

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    does your laptop perform the functions you need it to perform?
    if so, you don't need an upgrade.
    now, whether you want an upgrade is an entirely different conversation.
     
  5. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    In my case, I bought the highest performing t61p. It'll still beat most processors out there.

    I know nothing about the processing you do. How would I know whether you need an upgrade or not?

    Renee
     
  6. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    What are your specifications..?
     
  7. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    It does what I need. It could be a bit more snappier (Windows 7 and possible HD upgrade).
     
  8. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    t400s, bought last sept
    sp9400 (2.4GHz, fsb1066mhz, 6mb l2 cache, 2 cores, 45nm) (fyi yours is fsb800mhz, 6mb cache, 2 cores, 45nm)
    4gb ddr3 (no idea what the timings are)
    Intel crappy graphics (aka X4500MHD)
    250GB 1.8" 5,400rpm hdd (but would probably become a 160GB Intel X18-M G2 within two weeks)

    so, in a nutshell, cpu roughly the same, graphics much better than mine, harddisk performance would also be better than mine.

    on the flip side, mine's lighter, and has the new keyboard design. and has sata ii support :D

    oh, and 64bit win7 ultimate, but you can just install that yourself....
     
  9. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    if snappy is what you want, go ssd. seriously. even with that satai cap, it'd still pwn your current's harddisks
     
  10. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    SSD's are so expensive though! Any places for a great deal on one?
     
  11. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Those are very good specifications. Honestly, I wouldn't spend any more money to upgrade it. The only somewhat worthwhile upgrade would be an SSD upgrade, however, seeing as the T61 does not support the full SATAII speeds, I would advise just saving up for a new laptop when the time comes.
     
  12. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    not really...i'm (probably) not in the same country as you are, so i won't know :p
     
  13. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Where are you..?
     
  14. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Ebay has some good prices, if you are patient. I got my Intel X25-M 80GB a while back for $200.
     
  15. erik

    erik modifier

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    i respectfully disagree.   i have an SLC SSD in my X61s and it does everything just as quickly as it does in any 300 MB/sec ThinkPad i've ever used with a so-called "fast" SSD.
     
  16. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Oh, really.. Will look around! That's a good price you got for yours! Would you be willing to sell it :p
     
  17. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    you can never fully catch up with technology without spending a large fortune on it, for questionable speed benefits.

    T9300 is a very fast CPU...

    while the X4500MHD may not be as fast as the Nvidia GPU... it is still a very good GPU for what it does... and given that it can natively decode blu-ray movies i think it more than makes up for it lacks in terms of overall speed.
     
  18. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    UK/Hong Kong, depending
    he does have the nvidia :p
     
  19. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for your input - you have a very cute dog!
     
  20. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Is 40GB enough for Windows 7? That's the only SSD I can afford.. What if I put my current HD in the UltraBay? How would I go about about setting it up for documents and stuff?
     
  21. erik

    erik modifier

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    win 7 with a few apps installed will take about 20GB give or take.
     
  22. aznguyphan

    aznguyphan Notebook Evangelist

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    Windows install size can be very minimal if you want it to be. Mine is 14.4GB with Office 2007(Word/PPT/Excel/OneNote), around 6-7 utility apps(web browser, media player, compilers, etc) and even 1 video game. Although, no music or video collection is on this hard drive, but you can easily keep that stuff on an external enclosure of your old HDD.

    Also why exactly did you make this thread? Sounds like your computer does everything you need it to but you wanted to know if it was outdated... but you don't have the budget to buy a decent SSD...seems like self punishment xD
     
  23. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    no that is not my dog, it just a picture i found on my friend's online photo album, so i used it.