New T61 or T500?

I am currently looking at purchasing the Lenovo T61 or the T500, I have configured both and with roughly the same configuration (see below) there is about a $400 price difference from the T61 to the T500. So I am trying to understand if the T500 is really worth the extra $400.

I will be using this as my main computer for light work from home, general, light gaming, web surfing, minimal photoshop work, traveling entertainment and general daily use.

The main things that are important to me is battery life, screen resolution, size and weight. I realize that I can upgrade the HDD and RAM later on for cheaper than what Lenovo is selling it which will help boost the speed, and even at the current this configuration it will still be faster than my old machine.

So, is the T500 really that much better that it is worth the $400? What am I really getting that would justify the extra cost?? Is it much better technology and performance I will really notice it???

T61 - $889.90
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
Hard Drive: 80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
4 in 1 Media Card Reader
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

Possible Upgrades
HDD – 120GB 7200 RPM $68.00
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional - $67.15

T500 - $1,265.55
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
15.4" WSXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
1.3 Megapixel Integrated Camera
80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
7 in 1 Media Card Reader
Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

Possible Upgrades
HDD – 160GB – 7200 RPM $80.75
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional - $67.15

Any thoughts or feedback, greatly appreciated... Thanks!

 

I prefer T61

 

if battery life is important to you, the t500 has the switchable graphics

edit: also when the day comes, the t500 will have a higher resale value because its a newer model

 

Drop the turbo memory in the t500, it will save you some money. The only major difference is the video card, the better one being in the t500. It won't make much of a difference unless you are gaming, otherwise they're basically identical.

If you want to upgrade the hard-drive, you'll probably get more bang for your buck if you do it yourself. I think 7200rpm 320gbs can be had for ~90 right now.

 

T500 has DDR3 ram, which costs alot more than DDR2 ram.

 

It does but the performance gains probably don't justify the cost difference.

 

Does the T61 have the same layout and same appearance as the T500?

I have used the T500 and I like the size of the keyboard and the layout and think the size and weight is pretty reasonable.

Also, I would be all over the T400 if I could get a better resolution screen. Is there anyway to upgrade a screen aftermarket? If so, I take it that will void the warranty.

I thought this was suppose to help Vista operate a bit faster during startup and normal operations? Is it really just a waste?

 

The T500 would look very similar to a T61 with a 15.4" screen. I think the only difference may be the T500 badge and some color on the mouse buttons. The real difference is in the internals.

The T500 is the better machine, but $400 better is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I would spend the extra.

 

tobius, I don't mind spending the extra money, I am just trying to understand what I am spending the extra money on. For a non-IT person, will I really notice the difference in performance? I am trying to find out what the extra $400 will get me.

And when it was mentioned about resell, I seriously doubt that will happen. I am sure this thing will get passed down or just donated.

 

I have not seen the T500 in person, but own a t61p. From pictures they look roughly the same. Read some of the reviews about the t61p and t500 if you want to get a better idea. As for better, the t500 has a better processor, better ram and better graphics card. Will you notice the difference, maybe, maybe not, depends what you do. In my opinion, the upgrades are not drastically better, except for maybe the graphics card which would allow you to play the newest games on much better settings.

 

Its difficult to say. For me the extra $400 is not worth it. What you are getting with the T500 is DDR3 RAM and a faster front side bus for the processor and a better GPU. How long do you plan on keeping the machine? Do you want the latest and greatest? Obviously newer hardware is well, newer and faster, but as far as the cost premium you pay, well, that is a decision you have to make. From the uses that you mention, I don't think the $400 would help. Have you looked at the W500 machine? People are saying that you can get them for a better price than the T500. I am not sure as I haven't priced it out. The W500 has a very powerful GPU, but it will hurt battery life as well.

 

You say you want a portable machine, why go 15.4". I'd consider a T400 to be a nice machine and powerful. With switchable graphics.

In my opinion got for the T61, if you go 14.1" go for the T400.
Really the difference between Santa Rosa and Montevina in my opinion is not that dramatic, but I've never used a T400/T500.

FYI, my new T61 is 2 months old and I'm loving it, even though the technology is 1 year old.

I agree watch for the W500, although that machine is a workstation type laptop so battery life is not one of its stellar points of sell.