Question before buying a T61p

Ok guys I have a 14" T61p and a 15.4" T61p both configured the same way in my cart. I'm really torn here because I want the portability of the 14" but I have some uncertainties about it that I need resolved.

I need answers to three questions.

1. Does the FX 570m in the 14" version have a 64-bit or 128-bit memory interface. nVidia's website says nothing about a 64-bit 570m but I saw some posts on the forums about the 14" being 64-bit, giving it much worse graphics performance (for gaming).

2. If both the 14" and 15" are both 128-bit. Does the 256mb VRAM make a huge difference in comparison with 128mb (for gaming)?

3. Is the 15" screen better quality than the 14" or is the difference only in size?

 

1) It is 64-bit.

2) It'll make some difference (if they were the same bus width), but from what I know that's if you play at the higher resolution.

3) I think that's a more subjective question than anything. If you calibrate the screen, it should look fine for both manufacturers and sizes (Samsung and LG).

 

Pretty sure it's 64-bit. I remember a few threads about this when the 14" was released, and people weren't very happy when they found out how crippled the 14" T61p's GPU was.

I don't know about your other two questions though. I think the jump from 128 to 256 makes a difference, when compared to say the jump from 256 to 512 (because most games won't utilize that much GPU memory), but not an expert in that area so :\

 

the 14" has a 64-bit bus which really cripples it. there's some threads here that say it makes it about as bad as a high end 8400GS or a low end 8600GS...i'll have to look for the links though

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I thought about it and the 14" is the same height as the 15.4" just narrower. To me it seems like the 14" isn't THAT much more portable in this case, unless it were a 14.1" widescreen.

15.4" it is.

One last thing...

Anyone think I should get an xps m1530 instead?

 

If you want the extra ports (HDMI, etc), or want the multimedia buttons, then yes. Otherwise, the GPU is the same, so I don't see any difference between the two.

 

Well, I'd still say go for the T61p.

But if you want something in the same class as the T61p, then I would look at the HP business line (8510p/8510w) instead of the XPS 1530. They've got the same ports as the 1530 but better build quality/warranty/service than the Dell, and same specs as the T61p.

 

As a T61P owner I can tell you that you will be happy if you go with thinkpad, assuming you arent interested in all the multimedia features such as HDMI port, webcam, and glossy screen.

Hardware wise, you can match them up identically. The GPUs are also identical hardware wise. It is just a matter of do you want a glossy screen, with a few extra multimedia ports, a webcam, and a slightly slimmer design of the XPS?

For me I prefer the matte finish even though it makes the colors less vibrant. I feel the glossy screens are highly overrated. The build is also just superior on the thinkpad, and the WSXGA+ resolution is awesome albeit with a brighness that could be slightly brighter.

As someone else mentioned however, the HP business line offers a good mix of both. Slightly slimmer design like the XPS, and HDMI, and the build and non glossy screen of a thinkpad. Though you will pay a slight premium with the HP.

 

I'm thinking the same as you i3lu. I'm looking at the T61p but wonder if it can play games well since the quadro isn't built to run games well.

I had a 1530 and it was a nice machine. It has the 8600 GT with ddr3 so it's just as fast as the 570m. My only problem with it was the screen and that is why I returned it. But I'm hearing both xps and t61 use the same screens the only difference is one is the t61 is matte which I like. But I also heard the screen issue for both are no longer major.

 

If you download the drivers from LV2G, it should perform just as well as an 8600M GT.