New to IBM - About to order but need help

Hi everyone

Never owned a Thinkpad before, always used HP. Orderin from Canada and it seems like there are not too many options when it comes to configuring the system as there is on the US website!

System I am about to order is through the EPP -
6FND012 2529E7U
1.86 533MHZ
1,5GIG 533MHZ
60GIG5400
ATI X300 64MB
WXGA
Wireless 2200
CD/DVD Combo
3 yrs complete Thinkpad protection
Extra battery & AC Adapter...............just over CAN $2000.00

Now the questions

1.Am I paying too much?
2.From what I understand this is a pre-configured system, meaning that is I wanted to upgrade the CD/DVD to a DVD RW I would have the original CD/DVD and the DVD RW?
3.ATI X300 64MB - would that be okay for World of Warcraft?
4.Vista proof?
5.The fingerprint reader - is this just gadgety or is it really that great to have?

Use of the notebook - 2 fold, business side I do document composition (create statements, policies from a design perspective using SQL / Access.

On the otherside - Watch DVD's listen to MP3's and light photo editing.

Thanks for the help.
Stormies

 

I hope I can answer this before some Vista nutcase (i.e. 64-bit nut or dual-core nut) does.
1) This is a matter of ThinkPad vs. non-ThinkPad, and most would need more than the available information to answer it (but there are a number of users far more knowledgeable than myself, and they might not). You aren't paying for top-of-the-line components, flashy looks, or a popular name. You're paying for what IBM/Lenovo offers, which is a good, well-built product, thoughtful features, and good service to back it all up. You can get a more advanced machine, though, for a lot less cash.
2) You might be able to sell the CD/DVD on here, eBay, etc.
3) I really need to try this game. Everyone on the freaking forum plays it.
4) Nope. More importantly, no computer will ever be anything-proof for more than a year. Still more importantly, don't worry about Vista. Yes, this rig will take care of most of what Vista offers, but a lot of it is simply new, rather than better, IMO. Even a great bit of what is "better" is only aesthetically better.
5) I've got one and haven't used mine yet, and I've had it for about two months. When I mentioned it to my girlfriend (she hasn't seen it yet), she didn't believe that it had one, so it was at least good for a very short laugh.

 

Thanks for the info, trying to decide between the Thinkpad and a Dell i6000 & HP NX8220......decisions decisions!

Stormies

 

I love the fingerprint reader on my T42p.
A buddy of mine plays WoW on his Z60m, but he has the x600 card. Nevertheless, I suspect the x300 card will handle WoW fine. It's well above the minimum vid req for the game.
If you're buying through EPP, that's about the best price you can get.

 

Order through www.visaperks.ca and pay be your visa if your from Canada. Save hundreds through your purchase..

 

I'm a little foggy on the practical application of the FPR - Is it a general purpose keystroke IO, like a barcode reader? When/where do you have an opportunity to use it, exactly?

 

for me the iron clad security of the thinkpads is worth the price. I dont think any other notebook company offers this level of security.

 

The new line of Sony's have integrated fingerprint login too...
But its above the keyboard near the screen... looks kind of weird there.
Its more convient it to have it near the trackpad

 

I did check out the Sony laptops at two different BB stores and a local office Depot but the keyboard flex in every single system just didnt do for me. the quality was still inferior to the thinkpad, especially the T series.

 

If you want a DVD burner, I would suggest an external drive. A desktop drive will offer much better speed and quality than ThinkPad burners, if you are not burning while on the road. Not to mention about 1/3 the price.

 

I called to custom-build my z60m. I first opted for a simple CDRW/DVD-ROM drive, as I already have an internal 3.5" DVD burner in an external casing. Then, when I reordered my z60m online instead (returning my first laptop due to dead pixels annoying me), I discovered that not only will selecting WinXP Pro save you money, but the dual-layer burner was listed as a US$0.90 upgrade! I receive my laptop next week (25-day wait). We'll see what happens.