My T43 died, I need a new T60/61, which one should I get?

This time around, I'm ordering direct from Lenovo/IBM. I want a 3 year warranty and probably Vista Premium. I also wouldn't mind one of those new encrypted hard drives. I know there's a 10% off coupon, but they recently had a 20%-25% coupon available. When are the best sales at Lenovo?

Are the batteries from the T43 compatable with the T60/61's?

Is the 15.4" display the one to go with?

Are there any must have features?

Finally, what's the difference between the T60 and the T61? I know the T61 is newer but was is different or what was added to it?

Thank you in advance. I do miss my ThinkPad. My substitute Toshiba is nice but I really want another ThinkPad.

 

The 61 has the new Santa Rosa platform, meaning new chipset, 800MHz FSB cpus and I believe the x3100 integrated gpu.

 

and a roll cage

 

Could you please fill out the FAQ "What Notebook Should I Buy"

This would help us narrow down which model would best suit you.

I recently ordered a T61P which is the latest, it includes minor structural improvements to touchup on the T60's weaknesses.

It also includes a powerful Graphics Solution and new Santa Rosa Processor, but that can be overkill depending on what your going to need the computer for.

As for whether to go with the 14" or 15", I believe the 14" has a 10% coupon going.

 

For the T60, you can get 15 inch standard sized 4:3 screen, which is unavailable on the T61. That would be the only reason I might go for the T60 over the T61.

 

I have a T61 and a T60 from work... Like most who own both, I am unhappy with the extra bulk of the T61 and feel it's a step in the wrong direction.

Many longtime thinkpad enthusiasts are disappointed how Lenovo has abandoned the quality, thin-and-light direction pioneered by IBM.

 

batteries not compatible

screen size is such a personal choice. But many ppl who have owned a dozen or more thinkpads (like me) feel that the sweet spot is between a 12.1" and a 14.1" 4:3 aspect ratio. The widescreen ratio results in a significantly smaller screen for the same diagonal. Cheaper.

 

Curious, are your T61 and T60 the same format? (ws/normal 14/15) ?

I have a T60p 14inch normal aspect (work), Dell M65 (Work), and T61p 15.4 Widescreen 9 cell (Personal). The bulk I chose was by choice, no regrets, and it's still smaller and lighter than my M65 (WUXGA 15.4 + 6 cell).

 

This may seem trivial, but I would recommend a fingerprint reader, just in case you were thinking about skipping that feature to save $30.

I agree, a 14.1" 4:3 aspect ratio is nice size.

But if you can't get a 4:3 aspect ratio, then personally I think the 15.4" WXSGA+ is the way to go (although I don't have to be ultraportable). For me, the 14.1" widescreen doesn't have enough vertical space.

I recently decided to go with the T60 (close-out from a retailer) instead of a T61 online, mainly because I had a chance to see the screen first hand before paying, and I really liked the LG 15.4" WXSGA+ screen that it came with.

By the way, one thing I like about Vista combined with the 15.4" WXSGA+ screen is the ability to zoom in and out conveniently when surfing, while sticking with the native screen resolution. Otherwise some text could seem to small.

 

Does this mean a 14.1" T61 4:3 is bulkier (thicker and heavier?) than a T60 of the same size?

 

nope:

T60 14" standard:
12.4" x 10.0" x 1.0-1.2"; 316mm x 255mm x 26.6-31mm ; 5.5lbs

T61 14" standard:
12.3" x 10.0" x 1.1-1.3"; 313mm x 255mm x 27.5-32.4mm ; 5.3lbs

The T61 is 3mm shorter in width and ~1mm taller then the T60, hardly anything to complain about. Not to mention its .2lbs lighter.

more info can be found here: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitute/psref/tabook.pdf

 

My T43 had the fingerprint reader. I definately want another fingerprint reader. I also want at least a 120gb driver. I don't care if the HD is 5400 or 7200rpm. I also saw on Lenovo's site a 160GB drive that was encrypted. I think that may be the new Seagate drive unless other manufacturers have encrypted drives as well.

Basically I want to wait for a big sale and get a 3 year warranty. I also think I will go with a 15.4" monitor. I don't want integrated graphics and I won't be playing video games on this machine.

Discover Card offers double the cashback rewards with Lenovo. If you earn $60 in Discover cashback, you get a $120 Lenovo coupon code or a hard print coupon. So I get $120 off whatever my final price comes out to be.

Basically I want to spend $1,000-$1,000 plus tax. I want 1gb of ram on one stick, that way I can add another 1gb stick for $30.

When does Lenovo have their best sales on Thinkpads? I always thought it was sometime in October. I'm in no rush and the ThinkPad I buy doesn't have to be ultra lite like my T43. No more than 7 pounds with 6 cell battery.

Someone posted a response stating the T43's 6 and 9cell batteries are no compatbale with the T60/61's. Is this true? If so I will be selling my old batteries on Ebay. I have a 9 cell that's been recalled, so they will be sending me a new one for my T43 if the T60's use different batteries.

Thank you all for your input!

 

Currently they are having an Anniversary Sale for 25% off select Thinkpad Notebooks.

Then if you have a Visa Credit Card or are a Teacher or Student, you can get a 5% additional discount. (You cannot stack both of them)

There is also a 10% off coupon for T Series Notebooks that are 14", it is not valid for the 15" counterparts though. I am unsure if this stacks with other discounts, but I *believe* it does...

In short if you are holding out for a sale then order right now. This is the best sale I have seen Thinkpad have in a long time.

It ends October 8th, 2007.

Regards

 

Hackez,
Does this mean a total of 30% off if I have a Visa Credit card? 25% off select models and 5% for having a Visa card?
Thanks for the info. Do you have a link?

 

http://www.usa.visa.com/personal/di...ageId=197&it=il_/personal/discounts/index.jsp

It says up to 20%, but I just ordered yesterday and its a confirmed flat 5% extra off.

The 25% anniversary discount can be found here: (Enormous banner)

http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/

Also they are offering free shipping on all orders currently, so thats another 30ish USD saved. (Thats what it normally costs for UPS Ground Service...)

 

Yeah, I just found the 25% Off banner on the Lenovo site. I think this time I will buy the 3 year warranty. Thanks for the tip. Does Lenovo ever offer discounts higher than the current 25%

 

Never really used a T61, but I just bought a 15" T60 with Flexview three months ago, and love it. Would highly recommend it (if it's still available). Can't say how good/bad the 61s are.

 

Also, the T61 has a rollcage in the lid, the T60 does not.

 

I want to buy a T61 too and think the 25% anniversary discount is a pretty nice deal for a new ThinkPad but what do you guys think about the coming Thanksgiving Sales?

Should we wait?