Ordering a t61p with T9300 processor, what do you guys think?

Hi there,

I am new to the forum, but I've been lurking for a few weeks now. Great site and forum members by the way.

Here is a T61p that I have priced out:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
5/29/2008**

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim5
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ10
No Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty7

I don't care to upgrade the memory to more then 3gb, since only 64 bit OS can utilize the additional memory. The price comes out to $1244.70 after applying the 25% and the 10% off coupon. I think that this is a very good price for the spec that I am getting. Upgrading to the T9300 proc was pretty cheap, so i figured I get the max proc that I can get.

I plan on using this laptop to run a Eclipse, an Oracle database and to do some casual gaming *Call of Duty 4*. From what I've read, this machine can handle all these tasks just fine.

I also understand that the W400 and W500 machines are slated to come out soon, so it makes me wonder if Lenovo is going to have another blowout once those models are introduced. I would hate to miss out on the current deal right now.

What do you guys think? Should I skimp on some of the options and piece meal the drive and RAM elsewhere? Should I just get the standard T8100 processor? I really like the extra 3mb cache, i think its gonna help out alot. With CA sales tax it comes out to $1361.61 shipped.

My other option would be to spring for a M50 Asus, but I really don't need to multimedia capability.

Thanks in advance.

 

It is recommended that you get the minimal amount of RAM, and just buy extra outside. It's much cheaper. I recommend just to buy 4Gb, it's better to be in 2x2Gb sticks than 1+2Gb sticks, even though XP only detects 3.25Gb.

The T9300 is good, and pretty much the sweet spot of price vs power. I have about the same configuration as you(see sig). You might want to get an accident protection warranty.

You'll find that the Thinkpad will outlast the M50 by a long shot.

All in all, a good buy!

 

Wow, great forum, such quick replies.

You are right, I priced out some memory from newegg. 4mb is only about $100 shipped, tax included.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231154

I am going to change the order and downgrade to 1gb of RAM. What are your thoughts on running Vista Home versus Win XP? I prefer WinXP much more stable and less resource intensive.

I also upgraded the HDD to 160gb 7200 rpm, its only an extra $60 so it seems fairly cheap.


New spec:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
Edit
Ships within 2-3 weeks**
$1,769.00
$1,326.75

$1,769.00
$1,326.75


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim5
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ10
No Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty7

After the 10% it comes to $1194 + CA sales tax. What warranty do you recommend? This is a much better spec, I am gonna be paying an extra $100 for 4gb of ram by purchasing it on the outside, but my overall cost compared to the old spec would be an $1294 versus $1244. But i got 4gb of RAM and a 160gb 7200 rpm disk. Nice.

 

Sorry I meant $1306.55 versus $1361.61.

 

Well, getting Vista or XP is mostly personal preference. XP SP3 and Vista SP1 have about the same benchmarks for gaming. It is true, XP is much less resource intensive (and have less viruses now that all the hackers have moved on to Vista). But with your specs, you won't have to worry about Vista. If you want to play safe, get XP; if you want long term support, get Vista. Frankly, Vista is still in a infant stage, and will only get better.

Well, when I ordered, I got 3 years. Thinkpads all come with International Warranty. Though, I would have preferred to get Accident Protection as well. Who knows when you might accidentally spill tea on your keyboard?

But it's up to you, if you're a naturally careful person, you won't need it. And getting 1 or 3 years is up to you as well.

You can sell that 1Gb of RAM for some cash as well.

 

Awesome thanks. I just placed my order. I love internet shopping. So what memory do you recommend? I've used krucial or kingston on the past with good results.

 

Well, any of the "branded" ones are good. Crucial, Kingston, OCZ, etc. are all fine. Try not to buy generic ones. You can safely just buy the cheapest of those "branded" ones as it's all basically the same.

Don't forget to buy one with lifetime warranty, as the failure rates for RAM is pretty high. After you install it, don't forget to run MEMTEST86+(or whatever it's called) first.

Buy the ones with 200-pin DDR2 667Mhz. The T61p runs with those. You can buy the 800MHz ones, but they'll cost more and just be downclocked to 667MHz anyway.

 

Thanks a nice system man... I got a r61 in Australia nd im so happy with it

t61's are better so u'll be very happy with ur purchase... trust me

 

it's been a year since T61 was released. I am waiting til summer when Lenovo will be releasing new models.

 

How much did you pay yours for?

Ahhh, yes. But they'll be friggin' expensive.

 

The prices on the t61 should be going way down withen the next month to make room for the new models

 

How much was the T61 when it was released?

 

True, but I need a laptop right now. I can't wait another month and half. My 6yr old D600 is on its last leg. I think that the d600 was the last decent business class laptop that Dell made. Heavy as hell, but relatively tough for a dell.

I was toying with waiting for the new thinkpads, but they are gonna be damn expensive for a good minute.

 

True. You've made a good choice. There's no way you can catch up with the Tech race anyway. No matter what Thinkpad you buy, it's a solid notebook.

 

The true axiom in technology. No matter what you pay it is too much in the future. There is no future proof technology in terms of pricing.

 

Might be too late, but considering using 64-bit vista. Hardware support is fine and you'll be able to use the full 4GB. If you purchased 32-bit vista, then the same cd-key can still be used.

 

Go for the 64 bit OS it is a $30 upgrade and you can run 4 gigs of ram, definatley worth it. To buy an OEM one and install it is $150 at computer store. Minimum for Vista is 3 gigs but you lose dual channel so 4 gigs in dual channel and a 64 bit os is the best combo you will not regret it.

 

I ordered mine Friday I can't wait

 

That can't be true. At least I hope not, cause I'm screwed then.

Maybe this should go in the OS section, but since you started in on 64 bit here, what the heck. Since Santa Rosa platforms can only support up to 4 gigs even in a 64 bit environment due to hardware limitations, is it even worth it to go for the 64 bit? With only 2 DIMM slots in a notebook, can you really get that much extra benefit out of the extra 750-something MB of RAM?

 

Depends what you do. I found on more than one machine that vista with 2 gigs constantly pages and slows the system down. Some may not notice or care but I do. I had a gig 5 years ago before anyone else and it helped a lot. So yes 2 gigs is enough but for decent performance 3 gigs for 32 bit or 4 gigs for 64 bit. Seeing as its a $30 upgrade to 64 bit vista buisness at lenovo and I can get 4 gigs and install it after its the same price as the 4 gigs sans 64 bit OS at lenovo.

 

doesnt M$ give away 64 bit versions of vista if u own the 32bit version?
thats what I heard, lazy to source for the M$ link though

btw u will have to pay for the shipping


EDIT: ahh.. found it
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/2057/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

I'll have to keep that in mind for when mine finally comes in. But for now, I don't see the real need for 64bit to run a few simple games, Office, and iTunes.