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    Last minute thoughts on T61 configuration?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jctl, Sep 5, 2008.

  1. jctl

    jctl Notebook Enthusiast

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    Here's the configuration in my cart right now:

    Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
    Genuine Windows Vista Business
    15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
    NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
    2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
    UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
    160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
    CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
    ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ10
    No Bluetooth
    6 cell Li-Ion Battery
    3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

    It's going to end up to be about $50-100 more than I really wanted to pay, but I do think it will be the best configuration for me, and will last a few years. Anything I've missed? Anything that's a waste of money?
    Thanks for your help.
     
  2. T61W2008

    T61W2008 Notebook Geek

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    I have only std. warranty, no dedicated video card, and end up ordering a T500 with IGP, about $100 more but better processor and 4G memory. It all depends on what are you going to do with your new thinkpad.
     
  3. notebookn00b

    notebookn00b Notebook Geek

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    Since you're already overbudget, I'd bump up the memory to 3GB
    (unless you're planning to do that yourself)
     
  4. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    The T61 is a nice machine, so don't worry about it in that sense. I would personally order the least amount of memory you can from Lenovo and buy after market. It is much cheaper. I would also bring the hardrive down to the least expensive option and order after market as well. I think the 3 year depot warranty is a pretty good deal.

    What are you going to use the machine for? Are you going to install Linux on it? Are you sure you don't want bluetooth. I am not personally using mine, but I might start to if I decide to go with a bluetooth mouse. Bluetooth is also nice for sending data to a printer wirelessly.

    Give us more details of the kinds of things you will do with the machine, gaming, surfing the web, CAD etc.. Then we can give you even more specific advise.
     
  5. jctl

    jctl Notebook Enthusiast

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    You can't currently get bluetooth on a T61, which is very frustrating, since it's such a cheap upgrade -- I read somewhere on these forums that there's some kind of problem with the part on Lenovo's end. I don't use it now, but might in the future -- guess I'll have to get a card.
    Lenovo's memory prices, with the cpp discount, are pretty comparable to aftermarket, and since the harddrive upgrade only adds about $50 over the cheapest one you can configure with, I think it's worth it to get that from Lenovo, too.

    I do a lot of video editing and the like, so harddrive space and RAM are important. Other than that, mostly internet and word processing -- no real gaming or coding.