Ordered the X61s today :(

One would think enthusiasm would go with a 1000+ purchase, but I still don't feel great about the purchase. With coupon code "USEXSERIES" (thanks Kooshie- he asked me to post it here) on the CPP site, I saved another $52.59. The code did not work on the SPP site when I tried it. so with the discounts, the price as configured was $999. which met my price point of being under $1000...not including tax or extended warranty.
configured as follows:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo L7500 LV (1.6GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB)1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic12
12.1" XGA TFT, 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
TrackPoint
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm Serial ATA (2.5")4
No Bluetooth
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)10
ThinkPad X61s 4 Cell Enhanced Capacity Battery60

3 year warranty cost an extra 80 and tax was about 65.

is this good deal, bad deal, acceptable deal? Still not happy with it. Processor is pretty slow. the 1.8 GHz higher one was not available with the regular screen and I don't want the ultrabright. It does not have bluetooth. It's no cheaper than it was a whole month ago. It's only 250 dollars less than it was way back at the beginning of march-guess that's a 40 dollar a month depriciation.

quick comment on coupon codes - for those who use the spp site, although the code did not work, they were offering free 2 day air shipping on spp, whereas on the cpp site, the code gave the 50 dollars off, but if you wanted 2 day air shipping, it would be an extra 40 dollars (I went with the free ground shipping).

so the alternative would be to cancel this fast before it ships and spring already for the X300. then I'd get the LED screen I want, my wrists would stay cool, and it wouldn't be as noisy. and the price and has fallen-seems like a decent deal. but of course it's still pretty expensive.
(Not interested in the X200).

 

if u want the x300 go for it...no point in investing 1000+ in something u dont really want.

 

You don't sound too happy about the X61s.

If your budget allows the X300 seems good as long as you won't be disappointed again when the X301 comes out (It's been announced).

But the X300 is really expensive the last time I checked?

 

I agree in that it doesn't sound like you a very happy with your decision. My suggestion would be to cancel and get what you want. If not you will eventually get rid of it get what you really wanted to start only it will now have cost you much more. It's just better to get what you really want to start with and be done with it. How about the X200? Seems like a decent compromise between the two.

 

Hey, not everyone has a big amount of cash to spend!

The X300 is mainly a competitor (and superior) to the Ma©Bo0k @ir, what means it costs to much for what it gives.

You could also look for the X200, wat replaces the X61

 

why do you buy something you dont really want and then complain about it here?

if youre not feeling it, dont buy it.

 

I also think the X200 would be the logical alternative to the X61s even though there is no X200s yet, but sam11 said he's not interested in the X200.

By the way, it sounds like the price you paid is an ok price. The only way to go lower would be to purchase a pre-configured TopSellers model from a reseller or purchase a refurbised/returned.

Maybe you can purchase your canceled one at a lower price! (just joking)

 

Sounds like you don't want it.

That notebook is a "road warrior". Very mobile and efficient. I'm sure the battery last a long time.

It has it's purpose.

I'd take a X200 over it any day of the week. X300 doesn't intrest me.

W400 looks sweet.

Good luck.

 

No offence, but if you weren't comfortable with purchasing it, why buy it?

It may have been the right pricepoint, but that shouldn't be the only reason to buy it.

IMO cancel the order pronto, otherwise you will be regretting the purchase and would never be happy with the laptop.

If you want an X300 instead, buy it. If you can't afford it, then you can save up for it until the price drops a bit.

 

No offense taken. I purchased it because I need another laptop now- can't put it off any longer. current one is ancient with operating system that can't be upgraded and that alone is producing problems with acquiring and running new software. And if this one dies on me suddenly (it might, even if I have a spare hard drive waiting in the wings, since the hard drive is going) I could be in an extremely difficult situation.

I don' t like the X200 because oddly enuf a 200 nit screen with floursent backlighting means that the dimmest setting will be too bright. yes, i'm one of those odd folks (there are a few others of us out there, believe it or not) who finds dim screens to enable longer working hours. the x61s is 150nits. I know the x300 is 300nits, but with LED backlighting the dimmest setting should be dimmer than the 200nit flourscent light on its dimmest setting. (LEDS allowing more range of brightness control than floursent light)- though I have not tested it. I"m guessing LED would be easier on the eyes anyway for those sensitive to floursent lighting (many mathematicians will tell you they simply must turn of the office room lights if theyre floursent) even if brighter. X300 seems finally also to have gone back to quality design that ibm/lenovo was known for.

the comment about the x301 anouncement was LOL funny. It never ends.
haven't seen the 300 in person; things seem to be changing rapidly and 2000 dollars right now seems like more than I want to invest in a laptop- it would lock me in to not being able to get another for at least 3 years, and possibly alot longer.

so seemed like I made the best of a non-optimal set of choices. the thing is, this is the first time i haven't been thrilled with a ibm/lenovo purchase. i'm icing up my wrists already in anticipation.

thanks for comment on price. hadn't thought about topseller at a reseller; everytime i looked at some resellers, the prices seemed outrageous, but it may be becaue they were packaged with extras that I don't need and it may not have been Topseller model.

so what if i don't love the thing. I can always get a divorce.

 

I always thought LED backlighting was brighter than CCFL backlighting at any setting. But I don't have any LED backlighted monitors so I wouldn't know.

Sounds like you are not going to cancel. From what I read the X61s has a good reputation and solid build. I read many people saying they love their X61. Maybe you will grow to love it too.

 

sorry if it was mentioned already, but if you just want the dim screen but more power, why not just get a regular x61 instead of x61s? it would have full power processor and the dimmer screen like you preffer and a little cheaper.

 

No probs. Let us know how you go with the X61s and what your thoughts are after using it.