Just pulled the Trigger on a T61

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Estimate Shipping 3/10/2008**
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows XP Professional[12]
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ[10]
6 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6465: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]
2 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day $58.65 $58.65

Subtotal: $ 1,064.77
Shipping and handling: $ 0.00
Estimated tax: $ 74.54
[USXTRIPLESAVINGS] -$ 111.79
Savings: -$ 573.23
Estimated total: $ 1,139.31*

Have to say that I am pumped and going to order 4 gigs of memory later to upgrade the system.

 

You do know that XP Pro can only see a little over three GB of memory? Congrats on the machine. I'm sure it will serve you well.

 

I'm planning to get a T61 but am debating whether to go for Windows Vista or Windows XP. I'm leaning towards XP...

 

If you prefer speed, XP seems to be the better choice.

 

MEA707-
xp does run a little faster, but for futureproof sake, vista premium is not that bad. especially if you run some tweaks and take some time with it. redmond has some definite issues to work out, but for the most part unless your trying to run games, vista isnt too shabby. i recall in 2002 when people were demanding Win98SE again over XP. Its the nature of the business.

ericallenboyd-
best of luck with your new machine. enjoy it.

 

i did not realize that and that is good to know so what kind of memory should i buy for it? just 1 stick that is 2 gb to upgrade it for 3 gb total? i am planning on getting vista ultimate in the future but only the 32bit one and i believe that only sees 3gb as well. any suggestions on the ram and advise?

 

Vista 32 will see almost all your memory except that which is allocated by the system. for example, i have 4 GB in ultimate but 1.5GB of video memory.(desktop) the OS only sees 2.5GB. The SP1 patch is supposed to correct this but only for bios's that support the memory structure. some have already reported that they now see all 4GB. 32bit is maxed at addressing 4GB. I would still recommend getting 2X2GB sticks. Fry's has them sub $75 for all 4 GB.

 

i am sure that the 2x2 gigs word work great for me and then i can make sure i am set for the future if i indeed do an upgrade. what memory company is suggested for this computer?

 

IMO, most laptop memory is the same. DDR SODIMM's used to claim fast laptop memory but most all DDR2 memory really is the same. I would just stick to a name brand that uses good chips. That way you are guaranteed good warranty support. Most SODIMM latencies are all the same.

Try this link for some examples.

 

Fine choice.

The only thing I would do differently is to go for Vista Business 64 bit. The price is same as XP Pro, and Vista Business and Ultimate editions come with downgrade right. This way you can keep using the familiar XP Pro while being future-proof with Vista 64 bit.

 

i thought about that but i can get the vista business and i can always get that later.

 

True, but you will be forking out money for it.

Vista downgrade right entitles you to use both Vista Business and XP Pro on the system without additional cost. This is a little-known but valuable benefit for those who are not sure which OS they want. Lenovo's approach is preloading Vista on the hard disk and enclosing XP Pro recovery discs with the system. Once you make the Vista Business recovery discs, you can switch back and forth at will.

Lenovo's article on downgrade rights

Microsoft's Vista downgrade right reference

 

So all ThinkPads ordered with Vista Business or Ultimate will come with XP recovery disks so you can install XP?

In that case, I'm going to have to look at Vista Business or Ultimate...

Having a dual boot option would definitely be nice...

 

At least according to the reports I've been getting, Lenovo is bundling XP recovery discs with Vista Business systems, whether the customer requested it or not. You should call sales to get the official word.

 

Well I have to let everyone know that I received a shipping update today. that is only 2 days after order date. Cannot wait to get it next week sometime hopefully.

 

Edit: This is a recommendation for future buyers, since I see yours already shipped. Enjoy your new machine!

I ordered Vista Business with mine; as with anyone else who ordered a T61 with Vista Business or Ultimate, the recovery CDs provided are for Windows XP Pro.

If you want to go with WinXP, I'd recommend getting Vista Business or Ultimate on your T61, then immediately burning off a set of recovery CD/DVDs when you get the machine. Once you've made sure those recovery discs are good, then you can use the XP Pro discs to downgrade.

I'd also order/download both 32- and 64-bit Vista Anytime Upgrade DVDs from Microsoft (these are legitimate, nothing illegal about it AFAIK), and take a good look at Stallen's clean install guide on this forum.

Once you have all that set up, you can switch as you like between Vista 32-bit (for compatibility), Vista 64-bit (for performance, future-proofing, and support for 4GB+ RAM), and XP Pro.