Just Ordered thinkpad T60 Widescreen - Good deal?

I just ordered this online for $1709 CDN plus tax which came out to about $1950 CDN. They said the estimated ship date is 3 - 4 weeks, and because it was a "lenovo topseller" they could not do anything about the price, even though I pressed them that I have read that phone reps have the ability to add in extras or reduce the price by a bit. Perhaps I was misled?

Either way, let me know what you guys think of this and whether I got jipped or whether I got a good deal =). Also, do you think that they will update the T60 widescreen anytime soon (within the next 3 months) with better specs ie. graphics card etc.

Will post more when the system comes, hopefully in a month. by the way, is that an accurate estimate?


ThinkPad T Series - 87445BU


Configuration Type: Notebook, PCI/PCI Express

Installed Operating System: Genuine Windows XP Professional

Processor Type: Intel® Core 2 Duo T7200 2000MHz
Memory: 1024MB
Disc Capacity: 120GB
Graphic subsystem: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory 128 MB

Features and Benefits:
• Core 2 Duo processors deliver faster system performance in a thin and light package
• Integrated WWAN allows you to get network access almost anywhere/anytime
• Access Connections 4.1 enables automatic switching and connection from one network to another
• ThinkVantage Productivity Center helps you get the most out of your ThinkPad
• System Rejuvenation
• Most Reliable PC
• Roll Cage provides enhanced protection for critical internal components
• Airbag/Shockmounted HDD protect the notebook from falls and drops
• Security made simpler
• Fingerprint reader with secure chip enables quick, simple and secure access
• Away Manager runs virus scans more frequently
• Antidote Delivery Manager helps automates security updates.



General Information
Part number: 87445BU
Description: TP T60 2G 1GB 120GB WXP
Limited Warranty period and type3: Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Software
Operating system provided: Genuine Windows XP Professional

Device drivers/utilities: Adobe Acrobat Reader, PC Doctor diagnostics, ThinkVantage Access Connections, ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software, ThinkVantage Productivity Center, ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery
Multimedia applications: Symantec Client Security 3.0 (with 90 days of virus definitions), Microsoft OneNote
Productivity applications: ThinkVantage System Update,Diskeeper Lite from Diskeeper, Google Desktop, Google Toolbar, Lotus Notes Stand-alone Client (license), Lotus Smartsuite millennium edition (license), Picasa from Google
Preloaded applications: Yes

Processor
Processor (CPU): Intel® Core 2 Duo T7200
Processor internal clock speed: 2000MHz
Planar clock speed: 667 MHz
Processor manufacturer: Intel
BIOS type: Flash ROM

Memory
Memory (RAM) std/max: 1024MB/ 3072MB
RAM speed: 667MHz
Alloy: Gold
Optional RAM configuration: 256:512:1024:2048MB SODIMM
RAM type: PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
RAM slots total (available): 2 SODIMM (1)
Hard Disk
Hard disk size: 120GB
Hard disk controller: Serial ATA
Hard disk type: Serial ATA
Hard disk average seek time: 12 ms
Average latency: 4.17 ms
Cache size: 8 MB
Number of platters 2
Platter RPM: 5400
Burst transfer rate: 150MBps
Multimedia
CD-ROM speed:
CD-ROM interface type: EIDE
CD-ROM average access time: 150 ms
CD-ROM transport type: Side tray loading
Recordable: Yes
Removable: Yes
DVD Speed: DVD Recordable 24X Max
Graphics Subsystem
Graphics chipset: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory
Graphics type: SXGA+
Video RAM std/max: 128 MB/ 128 MB
Video RAM type: GDDR
Max resolution (with std video RAM) NI: 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max resolution (with max video RAM) NI: 2048x1536 16777216 colors
Max colors (with std video RAM): 16777216
Max colors (with max video RAM): 16777216
Graphics bus interface: PCI Express
Audio
Audio chipset make & model: Intel High Definition Audio
Audio data width: 24
External speakers: 2 (Internal Speakers)
Number of integrated speakers: 2
Speaker power rating: 2 Watts
Communication
Fax/modem: 56K V.92 designed modem
Fax/modem speeds: 56Kbps data/14.4Kbps fax
Infrared port speed: 4Mbps
Wireless
Wireless Type: LAN, PAN
Wireless Standard: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless, Bluetooth
Wireless Max. Speed: 11a:54Mbps, 11b:11Mbps, 11g:54Mbps, 11n:exceeds 100Mbps, Bluetooth: 2.4GHz
Antenna: Ultra Connect
Description: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless, Bluetooth
Frequency: 802.11:2.4 to 5 GHz, Bluetooth:2.4GHz
Expansion Options
Plug and play support: Yes
Expansion ports: Expansion Bus port (for Dock II or Port Replicator II), External Display (VGA), External Microphone/Line-In, Headphone / Line out, RJ-11, RJ-45, S-Video out, 3 USB 2.0
Weight And Dimensions
Weight: .319 Kgs
Travel weight: 2,41 Kgs
Height: 28.7 mm
Width: 357.5
Depth: 255 mm
Operating Temperature (C) (low;high): 5, 35
Relative Humidity (%) (low; high): 8, 95
Network
Network interface: Gigabit Ethernet- Integrated
Network speed: 1000Mbps,100Mbps,10M
Standard Features
Pointing device type: ThinkPad UltraNav
Keyboard type standard: Full size

 

Not bad. I got one exact same one for $1599.

 

Me too. If I calculate the exchange rate right, the Canadian deal was a bit better.

 

did you guys order it with any discounts (ie. the epp)? when was it quoted to arrive and when did it actually arrive? My estimated ship date is 3 - 4 weeks!!! and i'm not sure how accurate that is.

 

1709 and 1599??? where u got those deals? i ordered through lenovo phoneline, and they gave me 1899 cdn, i am calling them to ask for price match...hoho. thanx very much for the information.

 

visaperks.ca

 

Interesting... Right during christmas/boxing day, even with visaperks or EPP, you'd get a 10% discount off the base price (total $1709.10)

New year.. with visaperks you now get 10.5% discount ($1699), whereas with EPP it's still 10%

How long does it take for a laptop to get off the topseller list? i'd like to get my hands on a 87445BU too but i think it's still a little high.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they were referring to 1599USD ? If it's 1599CAD that would be a KILLER deal!

 

That's correct - I was referring to USD. FWIW I ended up sending mine back. Oddly enough I am typing this on my brand new MacBook, which I bought after a bad experience with the Thinkpad.

 

Hehe.. that's pretty odd. I just got my Macbook (black) yesterday and it's sitting right beside me. I find that its screen (13.3") is a little small. I'm still going for a T60w.

 

I don't really need multiple laptops. I found the 15.4 form factor just too bulky (the T60's sharp edges exacerbated that problem). For me the 13.3 or 14.1 lappies feel best. I think 14.1 is probably ideal, but the MacBook is really nice too. It's funny - going from the ultra-teeny touchpad on the T60 to the generous one on the MacBook is a real treat. Honestly I don't totally love the keyboard on the MacBook, but I can definitely deal with it. I still need to learn OS X (though I will probably eventually do the Boot Camp thing), but so far I'm really enjoying my Mac.

 

So you're a fan of the MacBook, Don_Vito? How do you like the keyboard/touchpad keys? One of the main reasons I was going to gamble on the T60w was for the keyboard, but it turns out the university store I was going to buy it from sight-unseen (for the EPP) has a "no return/no exchange" policy, so if the MacBook is pretty comparable in those respects, I may just buy that instead.

 

In my order for T60 wide screen I noticed two memory related line items:

41W2063 VBB 2GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 2DIMM

and

41W2071 SBB 1GB PC2-5300 667MHZ MEM

I ordered 2GB. Does anyone know what the 1GB is about?

Thanks

 

The Thinkpad keyboard is legendary for good reason. I've been chained to my R40 for 3 yrs. now (grad school), and typing is blissful -- no flex, nice key travel and feel, and I use the Trackpoint (and scroll button) literally 90% of the time.

Just bought a Macbook Pro, and it's KB is at the opposite end -- very light pressure needed. Feels weird, but I will be patient. And you can't beat the two-finger scroll on the big Trackpad -- unbelievably convenient.

 

The MacBook is not comparable to a Thinkpad in terms of the keyboard, mostly because it is VERY different in feel. The MacBook's keyboard is, IMO, of high quality, but it has a very light touch and shallow travel compared to the Thinkpad's. I have already gotten used to it - it isn't as different as its appearance would suggest. The more annoying issue IMO is that it doesn't have dedicated home/end/PgUp/PgDn/Delete buttons, but this isn't the end of the world.

As for the touchpad, it is worlds better than the Thinkpad's. It is roughly twice the size (the TP's really is laughably teeny), and much better to use. It is wide, corresponding to the screen's proportions, and the button is very shallow, making it easier to use. I find the TP's touchpad really uncomfortable because it is much too small and flanked above and below by relatively deep buttons. When I had the TP I tried to get in the habit of using the TrackPoint, but found I really prefer the pad, and the TP's pad basically blows. Although the MacBook only has one button, you can tap with two fingers to right-click (few Mac apps really use the right button, but I use Firefox as a browser, which does), and the two-finger scrolling is SO intuitive and great that it boggles the mind that no PC maker has implemented it.

 

I'm in Canada and I am thinking of ordering the same configuration. The only thing standing in my way is the s-video out spec on the widescreens. Is this really true, because what I've read from the reviews, is that the T60 (widescreen or not) does not have a s-video out. The spec you've showed and the ones on the Lenovo Canada site, say that they do.

What's true?!!

 

Just curious but anyone know whether the T60w is using an 8-bit LCD panel? I know the Macbook (and MBP) use 6-bit surprisingly..

 

From my understanding, none of the T series have S-video out. The Z series does.