Lenovo T61 Battery and Ram Questions!

Hi!

I'm new to this site, and I'm going to throw out a bunch of questions, your help would be greatly appreciated:

1. I was wondering if it is worth it to get 3 GB of RAM in the T61 w/ Windows Vista Business edition?

2. Are you getting one stick of 1 GB and 1 stick of 2 GB? How will it perform versus standard 2 GB of ram?

3. Also, do both the 6 cell and 9 cell stick out the back? How much more battery will I get from a 9 cell? Is the battery life really that bad?

4. I want a laptop that lasts is this going to be good?

I am considering this setup for a T61:
ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Edit 6459CTO $1,774.00 1 $1,774.00
System Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) 1
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Business 1
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Business - US English 1
Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT 1
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB) 1
Total memory: 3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) 1
Keyboards: Keyboard US English 1
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader 1
Hard Drive: 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm 1
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim 1
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot 1
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader 1
Wireless cards: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord : Country Pack North America 1
Language Pack: Language Pack US English 1

Thank you very much for your help,
TGxSurf

 

Bump! Can anyone please help me out?

 

1) What do you plan to use the computer for? If you are doing RAM intensive tasks, then yes. If you are not, then no.

2) Having two equal spec'd sticks offers better performance, but the performance gain is negligible. Better off with 2 and 1.

3) 6 cell on the 15.4" does not stick out. 9 does. The battery life isn't amazing. I'd recommend getting a 9 cell. I was getting about 4.5 hours on the 9, and that was with an integrated graphics card. It'll be less with the discrete that you ordered.

4) Yes.

 

Hey amit,

Thanks for the quick reply. Just a couple follow up questions...

I was more thinking to be future ready that 3 gigs would be good..?

So the 3 gigs would come as a 2 gig and a 1 gig and the performance drop is not significant?

I appreciate your wisdom!

 

You are better off buying it with 1Gig 1 stick, and then buying your RAM from newegg or where ever and installing it yourself. RAM is very cheap right now, but not if you are ordering through lenovo. I just ordered a 1 Gig stick of crucial ram for $47.99 on newegg. Instead, it would have cost $80.00 to order my laptop with this extra stick.

 

Hi braddd,

I am familiar with desktops, but not laptops. Is it easy to install? How do I match up the RAM? Is it worth it for someone who has never owned a laptop?

Thanks!

 

I opened up my T61 to install the RAM, and it was very easy. I was nervous because it was my first time opening a notebook. The manual has good instructions.

As for matching RAM, the brand isn't important. Basically, what you'll be looking for is: 1GB DDR2-667 SODIMM Notebook Memory

Check out this thread, it has the answers to all your questions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=121363

 

No, no. Look for: 200-pin 1GB DDR2- 667Mhz SODIMM

800Mhz RAM is not supported on the T61 (Santa Rosa). You can install 800Mhz and it will work, but it will throttle down to 667Mhz. So it is a waste of money.

 

It is very easy. You do have to take the front pannel off the laptop, but its very easy to put in and very easy to put everything back together again. If you follow the instructions, you should have no problems. IBM even has a video on their website that shows exactly how to do it. Check this out and judge for your self if you think its worth it:

Please ignore that this says it's for the 60 series, as they simply have not put out new movies for 61 series as they are exactly the same.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-63959.html


Here is a link to a 2gig stick of memory at a good price on a great website to buy computer parts from, you want to make sure you are buying 200-pin DDR2-667Mhz SODIMM memory, here is an example of a 2GB stick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148087&Tpk=crucial%2b2gb+5300)+laptop

Notice the price difference:

Upgrading to 3GB ram @ Lenovo = ~$300.00 just for the upgrade from 1GB
Buying a T61 with 1GB (1 DIMM) and adding a 2GB stick = $145.00 - the total cost of a 2GB stick plus shipping

Your call, but for me, its always been worth it

 

Oh my, I paid $175 for 2GB X 2.

Clcik the RAM deals link in my sig. The first page is updated almost daily. (It even includes the one in the link by the braddd for $99 free shipping) Desktop and laptop are two different world when it comes to RAM. Quality really seems to very with Desktop PCs, but laptop RAM are all about the same. All of the major manufacturers use the same micron chips and have a lifetime warranty. Any of those listed on RAM deals will serve you well.

BTW, there is always a chance that you could end up with a faulty stick of RAM even the RAM that comes from Lenovo. It's always a good idea to run memtest86+ to make sure the RAM you install is up to snuff. (link in my sig for memtest86+ guide).

 

whoops, I blindly copied and pasted a random chip from the HOT RAM DEALS thread. 667 is correct. I'll edit my post.

 

Oh wow thats great, I had no idea laptop RAM was all the same. This thinkpad is my first lappy, and I just ordered a stick of Crucial 1 gig for $48 I wonder if I can cancel.

 

That deal is not available anymore, but the best current (2 x 2048) deal is from Newegg.com for 207.32 shipped. The manufacturer is Transcend.

 

This forum rocks! Thank you guys so much for your help. The RAM advice is awesome. I will definitely keep that in mind when I make my purchase!

 

Does anyone know how it affects performance to have a 1GB and a 2GB stick, for 3GB total? Does it affect dual channel negatively?

Thanks!

 

Dual Channel offers negligible performance increases these days. 2-3% .. No need to worry about it. 2+1 is fine

 

FYI: Check you local CompUSA. Mine has PNY 2GB 200-Pin for 89.99 with NO rebates or anything to worry about. The sale ends tomorrow.

 

Do you know if anyone has done formal benchmarks of the T61 under Vista w/3 gigs (2 + 1) vs. 2 gigs via 1 + 1? I'd imagine that the extra gig would help w/SuperFetch in Vista.

 

Hi, I have been told recently that I could not match a 2 gig ram to a 1 gig 667 RAM 1DIMM. Will cause performance flaws??? Is this true?

please let me know before I go ahead to make a purchase

 

You should not experience any problems. We have people around these forums run that setup all the time.

 

Wow, RAM prices have really dropped since this thread was made!