Need Advice on choosing T60 config

I'm going to order a thinkpad t60 while they're have the memorial day sale this week so I have a few questions about configuration

1. What is the difference between the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG and 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter?

2. What exactly does the warrenty cover? I was thinking about extending it to 3 yrs but I can't find their details on the coverage.

3. Is it worth the money to upgrade to the 7200 rpm HD and 2.0 ghz 4mb cache processor? (By that I mean is there that much of a performance difference)

Thanks in advance.

 

1. The first is the Intel wifi and the other is a wifi chipset made by Atheros. Most people believe the Atheros is better in terms of performance (gets a better signal, etc), but the Intel may consume a little less power. The Atheros chipset also includes N support but the Intel does not.

2. Sorry, I can't help you here.

3. For the 7200 rpm HD, I think it depends on what you are going to be doing. If it is video editing, or some other intensive stuff it would be worth it. The 7200 rpm will copy files faster, speed up Windows some but it will also consume more power and release more heat. And I think you should get the T7200 processor (2.0 ghz). It is the best value for the price and will offer a noticable performance increase.

 

Re: the warranty, there is info on the lenovo site (NOT easy to find, however, I had the same questions when purchasing my T60 recently )

Basically, aside from the various forms of service (depot vs onsite), there are two forms of warranties -- regular and accidental protection. The regular warranty covers all hardware manufacturing defects or breakdowns for the specified period, but does not cover software OR any form of accidental damage. (spills, drops, etc...) The accidental damage warranty is for just that -- all accidents (no matter how stupid )

I purchased the 3-year depot warranty with the 3-year accident protection (primarily due to lots of traveling, but also household hazards) I have been told that you can get the regular warranty without the accident protection, but that purchasing the accident protection automatically increases the regular warranty to the same period of time purchased.

One other issue. If you do a lot of traveling outside the country, you will want to have international warranty service (IWS). Only certain T60 models are IWS eligible; if this is important, be sure to check before you buy.

Hope this helps.

 

1. IBM is atheros, better card, lower power draw. I had intel then swapped to the Atheros one.

2. No idea

3. CPU upgrade wont be noticed, HD upgrade will. Even though my laptop is about 15% faster in crunching power over my desktop, it still feels laggy in comparison because of its 5400rpm drive. 5400rpm laptop drives are almost 1/3 the speed of a standard desktop drive. A 7200rpm laptop drive gets you a bit closer which makes a pretty big difference in overall speed of the laptop

 

I'm still split on the 7200 HD vs T7200 processor 2.0 ghz so more input would be appreciated

 

If you can get both do it!

 

It depends on whether the nature of what you're doing is processor-bound or IO bound.
Most apps are IO bound.
Tho the T7200 comes with double the cache. I dunno, I haven't been able to compare them side-by-side with otherwise identical specs... anyone who hasn't is just whistlin dixie.

 

When thinkpads were IBM, they all came with global warranty, and minimum was 3 yrs.
Lenovo has cheapened the warranty in a couple of ways.

The reason that purchasing the accident protection automatically increases the regular warranty to the same period of time, is that because if you have a component problem, you could intentionally drop your laptop and then claim under accidental coverage. So makes sense to force both coverages.