Purchasing a T61 - need advice about how to configure!

Hi,

I am buying a laptop and have narrowed it down to a lenovo T61(though am still possibly considering a R series). I am a little confused about configurations, since i am not so computer savy. I have been reading on here and other sites a bit, and thought someone might be able to help advice me how to configure my computer.

My computer uses: My goal is to keep it fairly cheap i.e. the range of 1100. I am a home user, though I also carry it around with me a bit. I don't game at all. I use it for Word, Internet, watching movies and TV and editing photographs mostly. I use my wireless internet at home and sometimes in public. I want a good computer that will work quickly.

So far (based on reviews):
I have chosen Widescreen ( I want the camera attached), integrated graphics, XP Pro.

Other decisions:

1)Processor:

These two are both an additional $10. Is it worth it? Which one? I do not understand if the GHz or the MBL is more important.
Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)

Is it necessary to pay $85 more for this upgrade?
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7700 (2.4GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) or an Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)

2)Memory
Is 1GB enough?
Also, i very recently bought a 512MB card from Dell for my Dell laptop which has since broken. (I bought a 512 MB 64x64 512 MB Module for a Inspiron 600M SystemPC2700 333 MHz SO DIMM 200-pin Laptop Notebook) Can I install it on my Thinkpad or does it have to match the brand?

3)Hard Drive
80GB/5400rpm is the standard. For $35 more I can get 120/5400rpm. For $80 more I can get 100/7200rpm. What do you recommend?

(I also still have my Dell hard drive, now turned into an external one so I have that for space in theory)

4)Turbo Memory cache - do I need this?

5)expansion slots
PC + Express or PC + Media. Which one? I have no idea what this is. For $25 I can get a smart card instead as well. Is that worth it.

6)Wireless
Standard is this: 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
For $5 I can upgrade to Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG or $25 for Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN. Whats the difference?

7)What do people recommend about warranty? How many years? Is depot much more annoying that on-site?

 

The 3945 is bad. I think the pro is by Atheros? and is actually a better card.

Afas warranty... estimate the lifetime of the machine and how long you want to be covered by it.

I'd opt for pci express.

Turbo cache is not meaningful.

i'D get the 7200 rpm drive.

Memory? If you are running Vista, think in terms of 1 2 gb dimm at a minimum. later if you wish, get a second when you have money.

On the processer, I would advice emphasing cache size over small differences in processor speed.

Wide screen, integrated graphics sounds good for your needs.

 

1) For your uses, the first option would be fine.

2) For XP, 1GB is fine; for Vista, go 2GB.

3) Well, how much space do you need? I have the first option. For your needs, I'd say either the first or the second depending on how much space you need.

4) No.

5) I doubt you'll be using that.

6) Maybe the third option?

7) 3 year warranty is great. I don't know about the rest...

 

1: The T7500 is from the original Santa Rosa "Merom" series of C2D processors, and has a 65nm scaling process, and isn't as good at powersaving as the newer T8300 Santa Rosa "Penryn" processor...go with the Penryn T8300 (no noticeable difference between 3MB L2 and 4MB L2 with the added speed and such). It is worth it to upgrade to the T9300 though, which is more futureproof and the best price/performance ratio of the newer processors.

2: With integrated graphics on XP, 1 GB is enough. Also, though the Dell SO-DIMM is compatible, it runs at a much slower speed, so you would be better off buying a cheap 512 MB DDR2-667 SO-DIMM off Newegg.

3: The hard drive speed is the bottleneck on a computer, so always get the fastest one available for the best price, in this case, the 100/7200rpm.

4: Turbo Memory isn't needed with a fast hard drive and XP Pro.

5:
PC Card + ExpressCard: Has top slot with PCMCIA cardbus, and bottom with newer (but not as widely used) ExpressCard slot....if you don't use ExpressCards, just get the PC + Media

PC + Media: Top slot with PCMCIA Cardbus, bottom with 4-in-1 media card reader (slot which accepts SD cards, xD Picture cards, MMC cards, and Memory Sticks), good if you like transferring photos or media from cameras, probably best choice for your needs

PC + Smart Card: Top slot with PCMCIA Cardbus, bottom with Smart Card slot, used to store business data. If youv'e never heard of it, you don't need it.

6: Wireless- The Intel ones offer better latency and range than the standard Thinkpad wireless card, and the 4965 a/g/draft-n supports the prototype Wireless N high-speed standard. Go with either the 3945 A/B/G or 4965 A/G/N Intel cards.

7:Warranty is all up to you...

Since you don't need high-end graphics, look at the R61, which offers the same features for a lower price...

 

Yes, SkeeteRX8 is right. I should have mentioned that if you have the money you should shoot for the higher components. When I answered your questions, I was trying to budget.

 

I'm no expert but I just ordered an R61 so I've been researching this stuff, and here's what I've learned:

You don't mention 14" or 15" If you watch a lot of movies, the 15" may work better for you but the 14" is easier to carry around and is being seen as the sweet spot for portability and size. In the 14" models, the T-series and R-series are very similar, in build, size and capabilities. Not so the 15" models, where the R-series is built off an older chassis. So if you want a 15" go with the T61... if you're looking at a 14" it's probably a toss-up.

Most say the level 2 cache ("3MBL2") doesn't really make any significant difference once you get above 2MB of level 2 cache. The newer T8300 series Penryn chips however are supposed to be a bit quicker and have a bit better battery life than the older T7500 chip. I'd spend the $10 for the T8300. The $85 upgrades are overkill, given what you're going to use it for.

The memory is probably PC5300, so your old Dell card prob'ly won't work. Overall, many recommend 2GB... probably don't need any more for WinXP

Buy as much Hard Disk as you can reasonably afford. But don't worry here--you can always upgrade this later. Turbo Memory Cache is only useful for Vista, WinXP can't utilize it--I didn't get it.

I got the media card option... you might use it if you have a digital camera. Most wifi systems use b/g and the Thinkpad card gets good reviews and may run a little cooler than the Intel card. OTOH, wireless-N may be the future. I got the standard Thinkpad b/g card.

I tend not to get extended warranties but I did pop for the 2-yr depot warranty. Maybe foolish but who knows... I didn't want to pay extra for on-site. Hope this helps; there are plenty on this board more knowledgeable than me. I'm sure they'll chip in.

~john

BTW, I ordered an R61, 14.1" widescreen, 2.1GHz T8100, 2GB RAM, 80GB HDD, WinXP, Media card slot... and I can't remember what else.

 

"the Thinkpad card gets good reviews and may run a little cooler than the Intel card."

Not to mention that the Atheros card, has a much better front end.

I found the 3945 to be fairly insensitive.

 

What to you mean by "front end?" I've spec'ed the ThinkPad (hence Atheros?) card in my 0n-the-way R61-14W...

 

I think she is referring to the wireless range of the card.

 

A wireless card has a transceiver, the receiver portion has a front-end which has a given set of characteristics. A very important one is it's sensitivity. I've had a 3945 in a 3000 N100 and replaced it with an Atheros card. There was a very noticeable difference in the sensitivities and the Atheros was far better.

I new have a t61p and the 4965 but because the top of the machines and antenna arrays are so different they really are not comparable and I can't make any statement about the particular cards. I will say that the t61p with the 4965 and it's sophisticated antenna system is almost but not quiet as sensitive as a 3000 N100 with an Atheros card. That's a valid systemic comparision.

 

Wow, thanks for the all the advice!

I do want to keep the costs down. So which is more worthwhile - to get a quick harddrive i.e. the 100gb/7200 option, or to get a better processor i.e. the T9300 series (2.5Ghz). I prob. will only pay to upgrade for one of them, and I want the one that makes the computer quicker.

Also, what does it mean I can later upgrade my harddrive? is that expensive?

 

The only expense is the purchase of the HDD itself.

Other than that, installing it is easy as pie.

Removal: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-63909

Installation: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-63910

 

They both do. But here is how you can reach you own conclusion.

The difference between 5400 and 7200 is roughly 50%

The difference between a 2200 GHZ chip and a 2400 is about 8.8.

 

Which means spend your money on the faster drive.

 

I get faster signals with the 3945 but at a 5-10 foot less range than my friend who has the T61 (15.4" widescreen but non-p model) with the atheros one...

However, you do get the cool "Centrino Duo" label...

With regards to processors, you would probably be best off with the T8300.

 

Okay that advice has been really helpful!
So now I have decided on a t8300, 1GB (I can always upgrade later), PC+media, xp etc...

I am still, however, confused about the wireless card and the hard drive. It seems people think I should pay the extra $68 for the 7200/100g over the 5400/80? (as a general rule I dont like to have to bother installing things later on).

As for the wirless card I dont know what any of the n-network etc means. I just hook on to use the internet wherever I may be, usually at home, sometimes traveling. So should I pay more for the intel card or its not worth it?

 

I think the on-site warranty is really worth it. There have been some horror stories with depot repair. Of course, there will always be horror stories with any service for any product, but...for example:

If someone comes to your location to fix one issue with your notebook, it never leaves your sight. There is far less chance of your notebook being screwed up when it is being worked on at a table right in front of you than in a warehouse assembly line setting.

Also, here's another example, although this was NOT IBM/Lenovo service:

A few years ago, I had on-site warranty on a notebook and had a LCD panel defect. The tech came to my house with a "new" (refurbished) panel and put it in. We fired up Windows and I saw very quickly that the refurbished panel had the same issue.
He came back the next day with a NEW panel and the problem was gone.

I GUARANTEE you that if this had been sent to depot repair, it would have taken 2 or 3 trips to the depot to fix the problem.

Andrew

 

If you want a big 7200rpm hard drive, i.e. 200GB 7200rpm, order it from newegg or some other vendor and install it yourself. As for the drive you get from Lenovo, price out the value (with newegg or other vendor) of the one you are buying from Lenovo to determine which is the better value to purchase as a spare drive.

Andrew

 

So now I have decided on a t8300, 1GB

The 1 gig is very small for Vista.

 

As long as you get the 1GB single chip (1 DIMM) option from Lenovo, you can add a Crucial 1GB chip from newegg for $20.49 here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145048
and 2GB is fine for VISTA.
Or, you can "toss" the 1GB and get a 4GB kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145193
and then 3GB will be usable in VISTA 32 bit or 4GB will be usable in VISTA 64 bit.

Andrew

 

How much is the battery life improved from santa-rosa to penryn?

I'm still thinking about getting a T61 14.1" w/ penryn instead of a dell d630. I only need about 3.5-4 hrs of battery life for a day of college. Will a 14" T61 w/ T8300 last me about 4 or more?