Replacement for R31 -- T61?

Hi, all!

I posted this question a while ago on the general "which laptop should I buy" branch, but now that I'm pretty sure I want a T61, I figured I'd run it by you Lenovo experts, too. (The original thread is .) I'm hoping you'll be able to help with specific choices I'll have to make regarding configuration, etc.

Considerations when you give me all your amazing advice:
1) I'll be ordering through EPP
2) I'm fairly competent with general computer stuff, but when it comes to big things like hardware and, oh, installing new operating systems/deleting unused programs, I am a big chicken. I work at home, for myself, which means I can't even mooch off company tech support -- I generally have to freak out on my own.
3) I'd like to stick with Windows XP

Can't think of anything else right now, so here is (most of) the text of the other thread:

My four-year-old ThinkPad is getting old (rapidly), with error messages and crashes and the need for restarts coming more and more frequently. Since I use my computer for everything, I want to be ready to replace it fast when the time comes...and I think it's coming soon. With that in mind:

1) What is your budget?
Up to $2000, I'd say. I'd obviously prefer less, but I'm willing to pay for something that will serve me well and last a while. (I could conceivably go above $2000, too -- I can write off at least part of the cost as a business expense -- but I'd need some convincing that it would be worth it.)

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.
USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I've been very happy with my ThinkPad -- well, until it started acting up -- so I'm biased toward Lenovo, but that's really not fair, as I've never owned anything else. I would consider a Mac (and make my friends and family jump for joy), but I'll need convincing (and direction) there, too -- I've used Macs at freelance jobs and at friends' houses, and I've always been frustrated when I've tried to multitask; I get sick of watching that little beach ball go round and round. Really, I'm open to any brand, as long as it lets me work on a bunch of things at once, and work on them fast!

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Multitasking is the most important feature I look for -- when I'm working, I often have as many as ten Word documents open, along with multiple Internet browser windows (and/or tabs; I've switched to Firefox now), a bunch of PDFs, an Excel document or two, my dictionary and style guide (both copied to the hard drive from CD-ROM), and Windows Media Player (for streaming radio, mostly). I often access a client's Intranet via a VPN connection, which means toggling between Intranet and Internet (unfortunately the Intranet won't let me access the Internet at the same time), and I search documents on my computer, currently via Google Desktop, but I used to use the search function in Windows. Looks like a new client will want me to work in PowerPoint; I've never used it, so I'm not sure how much space/power it eats up.

I watch the occasional YouTube video, but multimedia isn't a real priority for me; I don't take videos myself, so I don't need editing capabilities or anything. I do take a lot of pictures, and it might be nice to be able to do more with them, but so far I've been fine with the basic photo software that came with Windows XP.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
It stays on my desk most of the time, but I do travel with it occasionally -- and if I had more battery life than I currently do, I'd probably take it to the park on nice days.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
No

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
See above! Currently I get about two hours out of one battery and one and a half out of the other; that's not enough. (I think the most I ever got was two and a half hours; more than that would help me justify taking the computer to the park!)

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Not a problem

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
I've been happy with Windows XP (Professional) and hate to think of the learning curve I'll need for Vista -- but hey, I figured XP out, didn't I? My boyfriend just got Leopard, and it's very pretty...but really, I'm open to recommendations.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Doesn't matter; I guess I'd need standard for the size notebook I want, though, right?

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
I still don't understand all this -- sorry! My eyes are starting to go, though, so I can't have everything be really tiny.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
I don't know -- not sure if I've ever noticed a difference!

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Soon!

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB?
A lot -- but please let me know what I'll be sacrificing if I opt for a really high number. Now that I have more digital music and photos, I'm using up space at an alarming rate; I do have an external hard drive, but ideally it would be for backup, not for storage.

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
I guess I'd like a DVD player; I don't have one now, and it's kind of annoying! But again, it's hardly my highest priority.

Anyway, I think that covers it -- please ask, though, if I can provide any more information that would help you knowledgeable people make recommendations for me. Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

Let's see...

It doesn't seem you need graphics power at all really, so I recommend the integrated Intel X3100. That'll boost your battery life a lot, putting it at about 4-4.5hrs total, possibly more, especially if you choose to get the 9-cell (juts out the back btw).

You can play DVD's with any of the optical drives they offer, but I recommend you get the DVD Burner so you can burn data onto DVDs when you need to.

The 14.1" R61 and T61 are essentially the same except about 1-2mm difference in thickness, which IMO, is negligible.

I think you'll like the 1280x800 resolution.

If you're eligible for EPP, then definitely get it through that.

To sum up, $2,000 is ridiculously a lot of money to pay for the things you're doing.

With EPP, you can probably get a T61 with those specs for under a grand or an R61 for even less!

 

Yeah $2k is way too much for your needs. Unless you have a need for WWAN or the workstation card which it doesn't sound like you do, then I think the R61 offers better value.

If you're willing to consider other options, the Dell D630 is a well built notebook. It gets excellent battery life, especially with the modular battery.

 

Yeah, I put that $2000 number down there while I was drooling over the X300...

I thought about going for the R61, since I figure it's more likely I could use that with my current port replicator, but I was under the impression that the T61 would be lighter and thinner and possibly more powerful -- am I wrong?

My biggest concern, I have to say, is with the computer's ability to multitask. The R31 I'm typing on right now used to be very good at it, but nowadays it can't handle it if I have a bunch of different applications open and in use at the same time. Given that as a priority, how would either of you (or anyone else) rank the T61, the R61, and the Dell D630? When ordering whatever I end up ordering, what would you recommend going for in terms of memory and processor, just so I don't end up back here in a few years with the same complaint?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

Get the most memory that you can, don't worry too much about processor (though the T8000 and T9000 series will give you the best battery life), and it sounds like you need something with a big hard drive.

Something to consider on both the T61 and R61 is that they don't have the 4:3 square screens anymore. A 14" now is the 14" widescreen. From the survey you posted, it seems like you'd prefer the standard 4:3 screen. May want to hit a local store and check the 14.1" widescreens out and make sure that would be enough real estate for you.

 

Yeah, I saw something about that yesterday, and I was kicking myself for not buying earlier!

What would you suggest if I decide that it's NOT enough real estate? Going to a 15.4" (an idea I hate; my desk is so small and cluttered already)?

 

The 15.4" is the same height was a 4:3 14". It probably adds about 2 inches to the overall width.

If you do go with a 14.1" widescreen, I highly recommend getting something that can do 1440x900 resolution, or "WXGA+". That will at least maximize your working area.

 

Your access to EPP pricing makes a big difference. You'll get more computer for your money with Lenovo than anywhere else.

That, coupled with the fact that you owned a Thinkpad for a while and was happy with it, makes a replacement Thinkpad a more logical choice than switching to a Mac. Plus, you can still order Thinkpads w/ XP Pro, which you seem to prefer. Another alternative is to get it with Vista Business, which comes with an XP downgrade option.

Don't get me wrong, Macs are pretty awesome. The OS is bullet proof and they've got some of the nicest screens. But if you were happy with XP, happy with the computer, and have the great pricing that comes with EPP, the choice seems pretty clear.

 

BenJ, will that make everything look really tiny, though? My eyes ain't what they used to be, so I worry!

Thanks for the reassurance, Mtnbiker. Now I just need to figure out which ThinkPad...and how to configure it!

 

I personally don't think WXGA+ is all that different from WXGA. If you think it'll be too small the best thing to do is to check some screens out to see what you like. Unfortunately most stores will only carry WXGA screens on 14" notebooks.

 

Like ZaZ said, it's not a huge difference.

I guess now that I realize your R31 screen is 1024x768, a 14.1" widescreen at 1280x800 may not seem that small to you.

 

Oh, good -- that makes me feel better! So far I've had no luck finding actual models in actual stores for me to check out, so I don't know how to make up my mind.

 

I don't think you'll find a 14" WXGA+ notebook in a store. Your best shot is probably if you know someone with one.

 

Darn. I don't know anyone with one -- all my friends have Macs (or really old PCs!).

 

Just bumping this up to see if anyone else has comments...

 

There probably won't be anything new and exciting in the next few months until Intel whips out the new Montevina platform.

 

Oh, I didn't necessarily mean about new and exciting -- more about what configuration I should go for. Obviously, though, if I leave it too much longer, I will be asking a whole lot of new questions...but I am not planning to leave it too much longer!