PLEEEASE help to make sense of Canadian website (link)

http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/addoptions?sku=766416U&tool=search&aud=EA1VISA

This might be long but I'd appreciate ANY help. Please read carefully:

1) Additional memory: does this mean the options over there are NOT for total memory but just what's added to the 1024mb base memory?

2) Additional media: Can someone explain what these are? And what's their difference with the 'dvd recordable (dual layer) 24X max', which I think (correct me if I'm wrong) is the base media unit included with the laptop?

3) Why 3 years warranty instead of 1?

4) Networking: so i have to choose one of these (intel or thinkpad) to have wireless? Otherwise a network card is not even included????

5) Power: why is the 90W AC adaptor more expensive than the 65W? And what's the difference between a 90W AC adaptor and a 90W combo AC/DC adaptor?

6) If you can make sense of 'Thinkplus protection' and 'thinkplus warranty maintenance upgrades,' please let me know. I can't understand anything.

7) What do i choose to have a 7-cell battery instead of the 4?

8) Why is the Canadian website such a crap?

9) It would be nice if anyone can tell me the difference between the battery llives of a t61 unit with x3100 and one with nVidia Quadro under normal usage (with VISTA operations heavy on the battery turned off).

http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/addoptions?sku=766416U&tool=search&aud=EA1VISA

Thank you

 

Lets see, the first one means there is one stick of 1gb by default, adding more would require you to fill in one of the selections.

The second one would be an optional upgrade on the Optical Drive, from a DVD+-R to whichever you select.

3. Is it a bad thing?

4. Seems so, cause nothing is listed elsewhere.

5. No idea.

6. Huh

7. Errrr....

8. +1 Quoted for Truth

9. Check the Lenovo/IBM forum.


Jeez, the site is hard and difficult...

 

Thanks. #5 and #7 are very important, so if anyone can read between the lines, then pleaes, ...

 

bump ... please, i gotta make a decision very very soon.

 

The combo AC/DC adapter lets you charge from a car or airplane.

Thinkplus protection gives you warranty against accidents, dunno what the maintenance upgrades are though.

I think unlike the US site, where if you already have an item, you can select a lesser item to get a lower price, the Canadian website only lets you add items, even if you already have it in the base unit.

 

So I can't use an AC adapter to charge my laptop in planes and can only do it with an ac/dc adapter????

What about 7-cell battery? Which option do i have to choose?
This website reminds me of microsoft's msn messenger for apple products... it's a joke!!!

 

From what I remember when looking on the Canadian site (I too am looking for a T61 in Canada) there is no laptop that comes with a 7 cell. Therefore you have to go down to the power option and buy a second battery (in your case a 7 cell). We Canadians do not have the option to replace parts in the laptop. So the Cd drives and such come in the computer and then we have the option to buy totally seperate units (very nice of them huh?). It kinda sucks since you really have no flexibility.

 

Well, I've not seen any airplanes with an AC power outlet?

 

if you dont like the website, which i agree is poor, try the phones. call until you get someone whose help you like.

 

the video card is going to use a lot more battery.

Regardless of which battery you get, expect to see diminished battery performance over time. The battery is only warranted for one year. They dont last long after that if you use it a lot. You will have to buy another

Dont buy a new battery with your new system tho, save your money and buy it later. Because the battery deteriorates with age, even if you dont use it. So wait and buy a fresh new one when you need it.

That applies to all laptop makes, and all digital products using lion batteries.

 

this may be a bit off topic
but i am wondering what are the differences between 766417U and the 766416U. I have noticed that the 17U has 2 gigs of ram and 160 gigs of hd space while the 16U has 1gig ram and 120gigs hd; is that the only difference? because i can simply order the 16U model and upgrade the ram to 2gigs and save 100bucks.Also does these models have the express card slot , pc card slot, media card reader or the smart card reader????
i looked everywhere... and couldn't find it anywhere on the canadian website.
i also wonder if its possible to have the express card slot and the media card reader, i really don't need a pc card slot or the smart card reader

 

Aside what you said, it looks like the 17U has 6-cell battery, and comes with Vista Business.

 

i think both of them come with business as well as 6cell battery, the 16U seems to be a much better deal

 

nevermind, since the media card slot replaces the express card slot then i guess u can have both.. which is pretty disappointing..

 

Oh my! you forgot that 17 model comes with Vista Business Ultimate which means nothing to me but maybe a great upgrade for some people.

 

The Lenovo site is not always correct, but this is what I get for looking them up:

7664-16U -- T7300(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Intel Turbo Memory, 4c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

7664-17U -- T7300(2GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Intel Turbo Memory, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Home Ultimate

 

this is so weird, fric from where did u get those specs???

 

From what I make of it:

Both with 1GB Intel Turbo Memory...

Initial price difference of $250

Adding 1GB of additional RAM to the 16U would cost $134.61 (including installation... otherwise $96)

So basically you're paying $115.39 more on the 17U for some sort of Vista (away from business) and 40GB of HDD space

[personally I'd throw in an Ultrabay Battery to the 16U with the RAM as 120GB is plenty, and I'd probably use XP Pro]

 

would intalling the ram on your own void the warranty?
what are the stuff on the t61 that is user upgradable? personally i would just upgrade the hd and the ram i wouldn't touch the other stuff

 

I meant that the RAM would be purchased via the options that Lenovo allows users to choose (speaking strictly from the Canadian website)

I'm not quite sure what you can upgrade after you actually buy the laptop.

 

ram from lenovo is overpriced,paying 39.99 to install a stick of ram is a joke =(

 

Well some ppl cant do it on the new T-series (involves removing the keyboard).
But it's incredibly easy on the X series and the older T's

 

I can't tell you why, but I can tell you what to do: order it from US site! With 25% off and exchange rate 1.0885 you will save a lot.

 

I was planning on doing the same thing, but I ran into a slight problem.

First, you can't order using Visa without one issued in the US.
Second, you can't get them to ship to anywhere but within the US.
Third, even if you managed to get it to the border, how are you gonna smuggle it across

Someone please suggest a method, as I find the US prices actually less (currently) and the customizability offsets a few things.

 

If you have family in the US order it to their address, then get them to like package and ship it to you personally.

 

Shipping usually requires declaring what the product is, then dealing with customs fees :|


[Edit]
Actually I live near Vancouver, BC and you there are services in the US (Point Roberts and Blane, in Washington) where you can have stuff shipped there and then pick it up for a slight charge.

 

1. but you can use american express
2. you could have it shipped to a UPS outlet, in niagara falls for example (6601 packard road), with your name and pickup
3. You open the package and cross the border with only the laptop stuff. Either throw out all packaging, or MAIL just the box & packaging back to canada. Works every time.

By the way, the exchange rate on amex will be about 12-14%, not 8%, because c/cards rip you off. On the other hand, you save the GST/PST buying it in the US. On the other hand, IBM Canada will give priority to canadian laptops when servicing, while your foreign-purchased one sits and waits... unless you bought next-day-onsite service with your thinkpad.

 

Wait, so if you buy from the US website, you can't use a Canadian VISA card? What about Mastercard?

UPS OUTLET... what a neat idea. Now I have to figure out if there's any city closer to Toronto than Buffalo.
Nice nice nice. THANKS

 

You can only use American Express as stated by Lenovo...

Also I was working out the costs and what not, and the price difference is a few hundred give or take. IMHO it's not really worth it to actually ship to the US and bring it into Canada. We get 3 years warranty in Canada. The downside to the story is that the customizability of the US products is way nicer

As for UPS Stores, you can just go to their website and search...

 

No canadian-issued Mastercard either.

American express is the only card canadians can get (that i know of) that work on US internet sites. But, you must add a US address to the card (phone amex and add a shipping address).

There is a UPS outlet in Niagara Falls NY where you can ship-to and pick-up. On packard road, #6601 i think. Always ensure it's sent insured and tracking.

You will have to pay 9% sales tax there (compared to 14% here). You save a couple of hundred, factoring in the gas & travel etc. Save an extra hundred if you're happy with only 1-year warranty.

Personally, since you have a visa card, I'd recommend getting it off visaperks.ca They have good prices, and it's 100% refundable for 30 days. The thinkpad you order in the US will not necessarily be 100% refundable - plus it's a hassle to return it because you have to drive back to New York state, cross thru customs, and ship from there

 

The main thing is the customization. It's sub-par on the Canadian website (visaperks or not). Even worse, YOU CAN'T GET A T61 WXGA+ WITH INTEGRATED (X3100) GRAPHIC CARD!!! Now if I call them perhaps they'll give me that option, but I can't call them right now as I'm not in North America at the moment. Plus, it seems that you can't oder a t61 with a 7-cell battery. And let's not forget the GST/PST...

One other way to do it is to have a friend in the US pay for it. Of course, that'll mean you can no longer take advantage of any extra warranty provided by your credit card(s).

 

Hmm... I actually phoned Lenovo before, they said they couldn't actually change stuff that's already preconfigured. They can only add more. :| That's what I meant by the downside to ordering in Canada.

I have also noticed that VisaPerks offer some discount ($100), but all in all it's not that much money that you actually save

Maybe there's some hidden deals we all have yet to discover (I'd honestly jump at the chance to buy one if it were priced right)

 

I'd buy one WITHOUT hesitation if 1) the screen was brighter, 2) The integrated webcam was available NOW, 3) The Canadian website didn't mock us!, 4) THe idea of having a macbook was not so sexy

 

Take the macbook for a test run and take note of the heat.

As for visaperks, you have to find the right model at the right time for a good price.

I think summer is the best sale season.

 

I've never heard anyone complain about the heat on the newer version of the macbooks.

 

They've not compared Macbooks to Thinkpads.

 

I'm thinking of getting the second laptop on this page: http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/family?type=fb&action=search

But I don't think it has wireless. Correct me if I'm wrong, and try to find a t61 with a bluetooth. It seems that not only we don't have the option of having x3100 with wxga+ resolution, but we can't even have bluetooth or a 7-cell battery.

I'm telling you, it's racial discrimination

 

then wait until you can. It might cost less in the summer too.

 

If I could wait, i wouldn't have posted +200 posts in this forum within the past month. I need a laptop soon, and I was planning on having one by this week but obviously that's not going to happen.

How often do you uise your bluetooth? I know i love working with the bluetooth, but I've only used it a couple of times in 2.5 years, but when I've used it, it has been very helpful.

 

i find bluetooth is mostly useful for a bluetooth mouse. Although i rarely use any mouse anymore (i always use the trackpoint thing in the center of the keyboard). some ppl use bluetooth for their printer, but i find a network adapter for the printer more useful (cuz all computers can print wirelessly). And others use bluetooth to transfer date between their computer and phone. In the end, i never use bluetooth, but even so i'd probably worry if i didn't get it LOL.

 

anyone know if the link provided by the OP has the media card reader?