Ordering tonight...need advice on configuration

Hello all. I am ordering a T60 tonight as its the last day of the sale. The following are my chosen specs:

T7200 C2D 2ghz
XP Pro
SXGA+ IPS Flexview
x1400 video
1GB (1 DIMM)
100GB HD 5400
CDRW-DVD combo
Thinkpad ABG wireless
6 cell batt

Couple of questions on the configuration:

1- RAM...is two 512 sticks or 1 1GB stick better for performance? (dual channel?) I don't plan on adding ram in the near future unless you guys think its absolutely necessary

2- Wireless...Thinkpad ABG or ABGN?

3- Battery...Can I buy and extra 6 cell and run with two 6 cells and the CD-DVD drive?

4-Media drive...I see a lot of people buying the dual layer drive only. I dont have an external CD-rom drive. Is the new software being released in DVD-ROM format? I.E. can I get by with only the dual layer recordable DVD or do I need the CD/DVD combo drive?

Thanks in advance. Any other advice is appreciated.

2

 

One tip coming from someone with a T7400 right now. Are you sure you want something that fast? Maybe a T5500 instead? Battery life with the 9 cell on mine is like 3.5 hours. If you are getting that T7200, go with the 9 cell over 6 unless you are never going to use it away from a plug.

With XP, do you ever work on a domain or do remote desktop? If not, just get XP Home.

Performance difference between 1gb x 1 and 1gb x 2 was like 5% performance with dual channel when I was benchmarking mine. Get a single 1gb stick and upgrade if you ever need more ram down the road.

Stick with the standard A/B/G for now, N is still flaky with the standard still being figured out. Wait until mid next year, and buy the card then. They only cost about 30-40 bucks from Lenovo if you catch it on a sale.

EDIT: With the CD drive, spend the little bit extra and get the DVD burner. I have the CDRW/DVD-Rom combo drive, and while I can still read dvd software, I wish I could burn my recovery discs onto DVD. Right now I am working on finding a cheap external DVD burner, or a case for one of my desktop drives to use temporarily to burn those discs.

 

Dietcokefiend...I am a fellow dietcoke (and iced tea) crackhead...

Thanks for the advice...could you clarify:

I have had horrible experiences with the consumer OS in the past. I've run windows 2000pro for the past 5 years with unreal stability. I REALLY like the pro stability.

OK on the 1 GB, 1 stick (CHECK)

OK on the ABG (CHECK)

Not clear on you DVD dual layer recordable rec: I do not have an external cd-rom drive...Don't I need one to install software, etc....I.E. you seem to be recommending that I get the dual layer recordable only.

Finally, I like battery life, but not a battery sticking out the back (the 9 cell)...hence my 2 6 cell question...so, can I run two 6 cells (or a 6 and a 9) and the media drive at the same time?

THANKS

 

OH...one more thing...the reason I chose the T7200 2 ghz is the added L2cache...are you saying it isnt worth it (like $50)for my use? What about the difference in video playback b/t the 1.66 and 2 chips?

THANKS

 

Here is the main list of features in Pro not in Home. Both systems have the same stability, Home jsut doesn't include a few things.

The dual CPU thing talks about 2 socketed CPUs, not dual core. Do you use anything in that list?

You can't use 2 batteries at the same time, unless you are talking about that slim battery that goes into the CD drive bay.

Think of the drives like this:

DVD/CD-ROM- only reads both formats, no write

CDRW/DVD-Rom- writes cd's, reads dvd

CD/DVDRW- writes both cd and dvd

That is basically what you get. Do you write dvd's a lot? I suggest you get the dvd burner just to be safe.

 

DiscoD7, I ordered my T60 a couple days ago but mine will have 14.1" screen.

According to the review on this site and CNET's, 14.1" one is lighter and the battery life is a bit longer. CNET says that the weight of it after including the 6-cell battery is 5.2lbs. The 15.1" one with 6-cell battery will be 5.8lbs I believe.

 

Very similar system to mine, here is what I think:

T7200 C2D 2ghz - It's definitely worth it. Anything less has half the L2 cache. Photoshop is very fast on this processor.
SXGA+ IPS Flexview - I love it, easily the best LCD i've seen.
x1400 video - also worth it
1GB (1 DIMM) - I would save the money and get it in 2 dimms if you don't plan to upgrade soon. Well configured XP runs perfectly with 1 gb and the money is better used for:
100GB HD 5400 - Get the Hitachi 7200 100gb, it is a great drive. Same power usage and about the same noise as the 5400 and it's ridiculously fast. One of the better HDDs that i've used.
CDRW-DVD combo - Your choice but more and more software is coming on DVD so if you want to make backups a DVD burner might come in handy; then again you can just rip stuff to an external HDD
Thinkpad ABG wireless - great range for me, much more than the intel card on an HP laptop I have used in the same areas.
6 cell batt - Again, your choice, but even with the 9 cell I find the laptop pretty portable and even though I was skeptical of those people that said it made a good handle to wrap your fingers around when you carry it, I have to admit it's true! If you ever want a 9 cell in the future they are much more expensive than buying a 6 cell later.

 

Hmm, now I am having second thoughts on HDD choice. I chose the 120gb one @5400rpm because I thought the ones running at 7200rpm might make it a bit hot.

My order is still 'in process'. Do you think my order will be shipped late if I made change to 100gb @7200rpm now? (ordered 3 days ago)

 

Thanks for the flurry of replies...

(banging head against the wall)

If I get the dual layer dvd burner, I don't need an extra drive to install cd-rom software? Or, are you suggesting I get two separata media drives?

Battery...OK, i'll go with the 9 cell as the primary. Yes, I was asking about the battery (2nd batt) that could run at the same time and that slides into a media drive. My current inspiron 8000 (circa the 18th century) can run with the DVD drive and two batts.

XP home- ok...I don't do any of the fancy stuff...just thought it would be more stable...

Oat- I understand everyone loves their hitachi 7200 drives but do I really need it? Are you sure it doesn't use more power?

 

Your ship date would change but not substantially. I originally ordered 12/1 and made a change on 12/4 - original ship date was 12/26 and it actually shipped 12/8.

Check out some reviews at newegg if you must for the 100GB 7200k Hitachi drive, it's great.

 

The DVD burner can read and write any format. CD's, DVD's, everything.

I like my Fujitsu 120gb 5400 drive just fine. As worked well for most things, and if I ever feel like upgrading, I will do it then. 7200rpm drives draw about 10-15% more juice (small yes, but still more draw), and with my T7400 killing me, I need all the help I can get.

 

Not too clear on your intended use for the system, please elaborate. Everything I have read indicates that the effect on battery life is minimal. You can use a utility to operate the drive in different modes; although I have not tried this I believe there is a silent mode which might also use less battery.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, the slower drive is not a BAD choice but for the money I think the 7200 is a better one. It's like lubricant, just makes everything work more smoothly.

 

This just in. My Lenovo T60 has been shipped!! Wow, only 3 days after ordering!!! *dances*

 

OK...Dietcoke, does this look right (right media drive, etc)?

ThinkPad T Series T60 Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty (2613CTO)
Description Part number Unit price*
ThinkPad T Series T60 Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty (2613CTO)
Edit 2613CTO $1,574.00 1 Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: Integrated Wi-Fi Wireless a/b/g 1
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Processor: IntelR Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition 1
Operating system language: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition English 1
Display type: 15.0 SXGA+ TFT Flexview Display with Wide Viewing Angle 1
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB 1
Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) 1
Keyboard: Keyboard US English � 1
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) 1
Hard drive: 100 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm 1
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim 1
Wireless cards: ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord: Country Pack North America 1
Modem cable (RJ-11): PSTN cable 1
Language pack: Language Pack US English

I noticed that dropping XP has dropped the fingerprint security feature...I thought that might be pretty nifty instead of all the passwords

Ready to pull trigger...waiting for the proverbial FIRE! command

 

3.5 hours? What settings? I have the same cpu and an x1400 and I get about 2.5 more hours than that.

 

I like it, I might also recommend upgrading the warranty as well.

One last thing, what is the price you are paying right now for that configuration?

 

What machine do you have? What other system specs? Power management settings dont appear to change much besides the screen brightness and spindown times. The CPU appears to be forced into a dynamic mode, and sits at 1gz at idle, at .950v. Wattage when you just let it sit levels off at ~18.9w.

 

$1574...I have access to EPP as well, but I think this holiday sale is cheaper (by like $10). Also get BS carrying case and free shipping with sale price of $1574. Which warranty?

 

I like the 3 year depot at a min, but might suggest onsite as I am looking to upgrade my machine to that in the future. Let me double check some EPP stuff really quick and see if I can find a topseller model like what I got for a lower price.

 

Product Description Lenovo ThinkPad T60 2007 - Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz - 15" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 3 13 in x 10.6 in x 1.4 in
Weight 2 6.2 lbs
Localization English / United States
Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
Windows Vista Certification Windows Vista Capable
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight, Bluetooth antenna
Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , fingerprint reader
Processor 1 Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 / 2.16 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory 4 MB - L2 cache
RAM 1 GB (installed) / 3 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz - PC2-5300 ( 1 x 1 GB )
Hard Drive 120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo - plug-in module
Display 15" TFT active matrix 1400 x 1050 ( SXGA+ ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 - 128 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom 4 Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium ion
Run Time (Up To) 6.3 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty

20077JU Search for its price, it is coming up at around 1624 on my "public" epp specials site.

 

Should point out key differences which are lower than your specs are the Intel wireless card, and this thing had the CDRW/DVD-Rom combo drive, not a dvd burner.

 

Cool...I checked my EPP site today and didn't see anything but I might have check "buy today, ship today" by mistake. If you could save me a couple bucks, that would be great...I actually saw a crazy price for a well spec'd t60 widescreen on my epp site this week-end, but wanted IPS...it was like $1500 with many of same features as mine

 

Also, 7200rpm drives draw more juice but run less and the net result is close to a wash (i.e. no difference in battery life).

 

The model you quoted doesnt have IPS and appears to have an external media drive?

For the price, I like the added warranty and faster processor, but not at the expense of the screen quality. Am I reading this right?

 

I set the cpu to lowest when on battery, fans to balance all parameters, brightness and spindown times at the lowest. I have the 2007-7ju. It settles at like 12.8w if you let it sit, maybe lower I forget, definitley not 18. One thing I noticed is that battery useage is higher coming out of a hibernate as opposed to a shut down

 

All the 1400x1050 15" screens are IPS Flexview models. Its media drive is internal, are you confused on the "plug-in" term? They are swappable drives with other things that can go in to the bay like the slim battery, extra HD, etc.

 

OK, cool...that actually sounds like a pretty sick deal. I found it on my epp site...$1624, same as yours...

So, I swap ~$50, xp home, dvd recordable and thinkpad wireless for Intel wireless, 20 gigs more HD, xp pro, 2 years more warranty and .16ghz more processor...would I be a fool to pass this up?

 

You know EPP can do custom builds too? Why not call them and chat. It depends what you are doing. If you are doing photo or video stuff go for the CPU speed, if you need to do dvd-r get a dvd-r. Intel wireless has been fine for me, I don't know why people like the thinkpad wirless more.

 

I like the xp pro (even though I am not supposed to), more storage, more power (even though I don't need it) and 2 years more warranty (always nice)...how much is an external dvd recordable?

I read that people liked the atheros cards better than the intel ones.

 

External DVD's are not expensive, less than $100 for the most part (though the lightscribe is like $110, and pretty neat), and they work better than internal laptop ones.

I have the intel card. I've used it with dlink routers, linksys routers, whatever my school uses, whatever the cafe uses, it's always worked fine for me.

 

I am planning to order a T60 tonite. I am thinking of getting a 14.1in display(SXGA +). Does it come with IPS too like the 15 inch SXGA+? Pls comment on the configuration:

Processor: IntelR Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Display type: 14.1 SXGA+ TFT
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Fingerprint reader: Integrated fingerprint reader
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 100 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Wireless cards: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery

The price is $1644. Can I get this config for lesser $? Aslo do I have an option of choosing the keyboard I need at the time of ordering. Thanks in advance.

 

calling lenovo...will update you guys right before I order

 

I am in the process of ordering the 20077U dietcoke recommended...this is just a shot in the dark, but there is an ecoupon space in my shopping cart--anyone know how to get an ecoupon code?

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP GUYS

 

DiscoD7, I recommend getting a FatWallet Account and clicking their link to order. 7% cash back I believe is what I am getting. (though, it might not work for EPP sales, never tried it for those)

They charged tax on me which is 7% in my state so at least I know I am saving at least that much.

 

The fatwallet doesnt work where we are buying it. That only takes you to the main lenovo site, not the special EPP pricing areas.

 

What is the EPP site you are referring to? How do I get to it?

 

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/usstudents

 

ORDERED...should know tomorrow whether or not I have one of the last units...my rep thinks I will but won't know for sure until tomorrow...

Got the same exact specs as the 20077U, but with DVD recordable for an extra $32. Model # 20077KU

Thanks to all and a special thanks to my fellow diet coke crackhead-in-arms, dietcokefiend

 

So you don't have to look back in the thread:

+Core 2 Duo T7400 2.16 GHz
+Bluetooth
+fingerprint reader
+1 GB DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz - PC2-5300 ( 1 x 1 GB )
+120 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
+DVD-Writer - plug-in module
+15" TFT active matrix 1400 x 1050 (SXGA+) IPS Flexview
+ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 - 128 MB
+Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG (wanted thinkpad wireless, wasnt available pre-configured)
+XP Pro
+9 cell lithium
+3 Year Warranty

$1656.85

 

So, Dietcokefiend basically got me...

2.16 ghz instead of 2 ghz
3 year warranty instead of 1 year
120 gig HD instead of 100 gig
DVD recordable instead of combo drive
Intel wireless instead of thinkpad wireless (only sacrifice)

...for $62 more by finding a pre-configured EPP model that I had not seen...THANKS AGAIN DCF

 

No prob. I spent probably a week trying to wade through the different models checking price by manual lookups.

 

20077JU is where it's at, you won't be disappointed (that's what I have).

 

I got the 20077KU...only difference is DVD recordable instead of combo drive.

Now if I only knew how to clean install, partition, load on necessary processes/drivers, etc.

Anyone live in DFW? Want free meal and a case of beer/bottle of favorite liquor?

 

Its not too bad. You might want to stick with the default install and slowly clean crap off. A custom restore leaving norton off REALLY helps give you a head start.

 

Which Internet Security/AV do you prefer? I have AVG free edition right now but heard good things about kespersky.

Also, if you could point me towards a thread with step by step instructions for a custom restore w/o norton, that would be great...

 

Dietcoke (if you are still reading this thread...anyone else reading feel free to chime in),

I was told by my rep that I have a 95% chance of getting the last unit in stock. I thought we would know for sure today, but we might not know until tomorrow.

So, if thats the case (i.e. if I do not get the last unit), I am not waiting 3 weeks and will instead get a similarly configured model that is in stock.

Question: He said they have the 1.83GHZ models. You mentioned that I probably didn't need 2 ghz (let alone the 2.16 I appear to have settled on). How much difference will I notice with 1/2 as much cache? Also, how much more battery power will I get with the 1.83 instead of the 2.16?

Like I said, I probably have the 2.16 but there is a 5% chance (per representative) that I won't.

Thanks in advance,

David

 

****, that's exactly what I wanted, but I settled for the ju since I have an external burner. They didn't offer the ku when I got mine.

 

The 1.83, is that the T5XXX family or T2XXX family? If the 2XXX family, don't get it, if the 5XXX family, what is it that you will be doing on your laptop? There's a very noticeable difference between the 1.83 and the 2.16 if you're using the right programs (photo editing software for instance).

 

No photo editing. Although I would like to do some very simple video editing. For example, lets say I have a 30 min show video clip, but want to edit out the commercials. Is there any free software to do this? It would save HD space and make watching more enjoyable.

Ok, back to what we were talking about...I use the cpu for excel models with macros, google earth and similar programs, surfing, audio/video listening/watching. I am a heavy bandwidth user from time to time. I know I am probably buying more cpu than I need, but I want this unit to last as long as possible. My current inspiron 8000 was top of the line for business 5+ years ago. It still runs well but can't run some of the newer software. Hence, the attempt at future proofing with the overbuy of the T60 nicely spec'd.

If I have to choose another model, what do I lose in functionality with the 2MB cache vs 4 and how much battery time is added by stepping down to the 1.83 (or 1.66)...I would still be getting the core 2 duo.

 

She shipped out today. I hope it gets here by Friday.