Prospective T61 purchase, general questions

Hey everyone. I'm ready to purchase a new laptop, and as Lenovo's Father's Day Sale ends tomorrow, I want to get this figured out tonight if possible. Here's the configuration I'm looking at:

Thinkpad T61 7662CTO

>Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
>Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
>Display Type: 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ Camera
>System Graphics: nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
>Total Memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
>Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
>Hard Drive: 120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
>Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache: None
>Optical Device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
>System expansion slots: Not sure...
>Wireless card: ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
>Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
>Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery


Not really sure on the expansion slots...seems I HAVE to have a PC card slot, and then get a choice of either an Expresscard, Media-reader, or Smartcard. I think I'd use the media reader, but would it be worth it more to have the expresscard or smartcard? What's the difference between Expresscard and PC card, and what exactly is a Smart card?

Another concern is system memory (RAM). Would it be a better alternative to get the lowest option (512MB) and then pick one of these from newegg.com: 2x2GB RAM? Or should I just go for 2GB from Lenovo? (Also, which brand of RAM would you go with from Newegg?).

Last question is about Vista. I've never actually used it, so I don't really know what to expect. I suppose I'd just go with Home Premium, as I'll be a college student next year, and will be using the Laptop for everyday computing, music, movies, internet, AIM, and the occasional game. What would the benefits be of moving up to another version, and how would performance be affected? (And actually, do I even need Premium? Or would Basic be fine for what I'm using it for, and would there be a noticable performance difference between the two?).


Thanks in advance, and I hope I can figure this out ASAP!

 

As for RAM (only thin i can answer), I suggest just getting RAM from newegg. MUCH CHEAPER.

 

I'd get the Express Card slot and PC card slot. With those options, you can always get a express card or pc card slot media reader. A smart card is a credit card sized piece of plastic with a chip in it. It is used mostly for security, so no concern for you.

It is much cheaper to buy RAM separately. For the price for 1gb from Lenovo ($65), you can get 2 1gb sticks from newegg. Any brand will do, but be sure to look at the customer ratings. However, keep the 512mb stick just in case you need to service your notebook. A 2gb RAM stick is still a little costly in my opinion, but still much more cheaper to buy separately than from Lenovo.

There is no difference between the versions of Vista in terms of performance. With Basic, you'll be losing some of the eye candy. Since you're a student, I'd check with your college to see if you qualify for MSDN AA (usually you have to be ECS or CS). If you do, you can get Office, Windows XP, Vista for free or for the cost of a DVD/CD.

 

OK, so go with the Expresscard, and go with 512MB RAM.

And shoot for just 2GB of RAM from Newegg? Got any suggestions for me? Looking to get something quality.

 

Unless you will upgrade to 64 bit OS very soon, it will be a waste to install 4GB ram since the 32 bit OS will only support 4GB physical address which also includes other devices. That means you will only see 3.2GB to 3.5 GB ram in your vista.I will suggest you order with 512MB and get 2gb+1gb from outpost.com or newegg.com.

 

This looks good

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5200767

 

Memory prices are fairly cheap now so going for 3GB isn't a bad choice. However, most people really don't need more than 2GB.
Home premium seems to be a good choice for home use.

Since it isn't too much more, why not just go for the 7-cell as it is the same size as 6-cell. You never know when you need that little bit of juice.

 

i can run 3GB without having issues? IE 1GBx1 and 2GBx1?


Yeah, 7 cell sounds good

 

sure...........

 

Hey, what is the MSDN AA? EBS or CS?
I am going to be a graduate student, does that count?
What is this program and what do I get? Please help. Thanks bro.

 

I'd probably wait until the 4th of july sale starts up, the previous memorial day sale was better then the father's day sale so it seems like they have a rhythm going.

I'm also curious about the MSDN AA thing, I've been meaning to ask my Jr. college about Windows Vista but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Also what kind of 5400 rpm HDD does Lenovo use in their Thinkpads?

One more thing, about the ram. I got a 2 sticks of 1GB Crucial ram for $29 dollars after the rebates on newegg, great deal.

 

MSDN AA is Microsoft Developers Network Academic Alliance. ECS is computer engineering and CS is computer science. Use Google to determine if your school has MSDN AA. Since you're a graduate student, I don't believe it would work.