Some questions about T61 14-inch models

I've been searching around about T61 14.1" laptops for a while. I am an incoming college freshmen, will major in Computer Science. My computer tasks are basically, 70% coding, 20% Entertainment, and 10% business. I just realize that I am very unfamiliar with all the laptop parts since I haven't studied them for a very long time. As a result, I have plenty of very newbie questions to ask, and I hope some experts here may open my mind a little by sharing me with some good insights.

General Model Review

Before me asking about all the specific features, I think it is most important to decide on a model first.

These are all the available T61 14-inch models:
Thinkpad T61 Wide 7658CTO
Thinkpad T61 Wide 7662CTO
Thinkpad T61 Wide 7658CTO
Thinkpad T61 8891CTO
Thinkpad T61 8897CTO

If anyone has any general or in-depth review on these models, I would like to know as much as possible.
I am currently interested in 7662CTO and 8897CTO. I am pleased with their balance of specs and price, but I am very desperate to know more about the difference between these two models. I can't find any official data sheet or statement regarding the differences in these models, but I think they should have something like that. If anyone has some insight into these models, please let me know.


Vista Home Basic vs. XP Home
I have followed all the progresses, updates, and reviews on Vista since 2005. It turns out rather disappointing since I was anticipating a new file system and some awesome 64-bit applications. I expected thunder but only got rains. So I personally would go with XP Home or Pro since they satisfy most of my daily tasks and most XP bugs are well-known and protected.

But I would want to hear if anyone has some really positive feedback on Vista Home to share. I may consider changing my mind.

Monitors:

WXGA vs.XGA vs. SXGA

I heard some posts about T61 having the off-centered problem. I wonder if this is caused by SXGA's change in aspect ratio? Did Lenovo solve this off-center problem in their new T61 models(8891CTO and 8897CTO)?

In fact, I don't even know what off-centered screen looks like yet...

Meanwhile, I also found some positive reviews on choosing the XGA, so I am considering to go with that.

And, by the way, what does TFT stand for?

I don't ask much from the LCD, I only have 2 requirements. 1) Normal, don't hurt or distract my eyes with something weird, such as an off-center. 2) Bright enough for me to read e-books for a hour without ruining my eyesight too much.

Memory

1 DIMM or 2 DIMM?

I know this is a very basic question. I have learned about 2 DIMM standing for dual-channel, and it is good to have 1 GB (2DIMM) so we can take advantage of that. But I am planning to upgrade it to 4GB in the near future, while right now my budget only allows me to buy a 1GB memory card, should I buy 1 DIMM then?

CD/DVD Drive

DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim?

I am a bit lost about whether or not I should buy this instead of the standard CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo. I know this means a DVD reader & writer, also able to read CD-ROMs (can it be used as CD writer too?), but it is only 8x. Isn't it a bit too slow?


Intel Turbo Memory?
I have found some good review on this feature. It can load Office word in 1 second, can decrease a 4.7minutes of ps loading to 3.5 minutes, also boost Vista loading on machines with 1gb or less memory. I find it complementary with Vista, but wondering if I would need it if I am going to run XP home on my laptop.

Fingerprint Reader?
This is a cool feature, being able to protect my files like a government spy. But i wonder, how many people actually enjoy using this feature? Please let me know.




That's about all the questions I have for now, thanks in advance for anyone who spent time reading this post.

 

Quick as I gotta run:

First off i would not look at the machines like this. Use the online configuration tool on www.lenovo.com to build the machine how you want it. It gets too confusing to go by individual build numbers

Vista vs. XP You will see both sides with this argument. Those who love it, those who hate it. I have used vista since before day 1 and like it. It is different but once you learn it you will find how much more superior it is in just everyday navigation. "since I was anticipating a new file system and some awesome 64-bit applications" It does not have a new file system...it has a new kernel which is much much more important. The new kernel is much more stable and provides much greater security (this is observed by me and not shoved down my throat by some PR firm). 64bit does not mean much either really. It is there, you can use it, but the problem is not many application programmers have adopted it as there is not a HUGE advantage yet for mainstream stuff.

Graphic Card
This is not the LCD. There are three graphics cards options, Intel (X3100) or Nvidia (there are two nvidias). The Nvidia cards are higher power and are able to handle higher end 3d rendering and some games and such. They also require more power though and are really not the best for gaming (so in my opinion not worth it really, but some still go for it)

Screen
This is your WSXGA vs. WSXGA+. Both will have the off center look. It is simply the way lenovo designed the laptop and is not because the screen is widescreen.

The + version is more expensive and will have a higher resolution which means more stuff will fit on the the same physical screen size (things will be smaller).

Memory
As you said to run dual channel (better) you will need to have two matched dimms. Since you want to go 4gb in the future I would go for the 2 dimms of 1gb now since you will have to buy 2x2gb dimms in the future to get 4gb (there are only two memory slots and no such thing as a 3gb dimm)

CD/DVD Drive
If you want to burn dvds you will need the better one. It can write CDs as well just as fast as the CD only burner. 8x is the DVD Write speed and is pretty standard for DVD.

Intel Turbo Memory
If you pick XP you cannot use it at all, it only works with Vista. I have seen varying reviews and it does not make that big of a difference overall as long as you have at least 1gb of memory

Fingerprint Reader
Some like it some dont. I like it as it is faster than typing in my password to login

 

Vista Home Basic vs. XP Home

Home Basic (if offered)
Vista = bloated, full of crapware, DRM infested - avoid

Graphics Card

Intel Integrated X3100 - cool running, energy efficient - the only logical choice for a non-gamer.

Memory

Order the smallest stick with the machine, then add another bigger one, purchased aftermarket (much, much cheaper than from Lenovo).
Dual channel is grossly overrated (thanks to the useless synthetic benchmarks) and won't make a slightest difference in the real world.

CD/DVD Drive

CD unless you need to burn DVD disks.

Intel Turbo Memory

Too little, too late plus potential issues. Avoid.
Or wait for the new chipset from Intel (next year - Montevina + Penryn ) with Turbo Memory 2.0

Fingerprint Reader
Cool for Windows logins. Useless for anything else.

 

As I said, everyone will have their opinion on that

Funny as "bloated" vista benches faster than XP on both of my Core 2 Duo machines

 

Sorry that I confused Monitors with Graphic Card...I don't know what my eyes were doing. So off-centered problem can't be avoided in any cases then, how sad...

By the way, the machine models I posted, are from

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=F2F5363C71FA4D61B176AD5FB80FA5D8
They are in the corresponding order.

Just when I customize, I realize the models are actually different, and wondered if they really make a difference or just a different setup.
Like in the 2 new models, you can't choose Intel Graphic Card anymore. In the previous models, you have to add money to choose Windows XP while in the new models you can save money doing that.

I was considering Nvidia because I am also doing photography and 3d designs, but I don't think I will have much time as before since my college's CS program is said to be like a murder machine. I'm now more convinced about using a cooler, more energy-efficient graphic card instead of Nvidia, since I usually prefer playing games on a PC, instead of a 14.1" screen laptop. It is plain weird to turn Thinkpad into a media center.

Now I know what DVD combo means, and I think I probably won't write DVDs that much. I would go with a portable hard drive which can hold about 100 gb or more. It is better than carrying a box of DVDs, especially when I won't have anything like TV, DVD player in the dorm anytime soon.

Since my budget is very thin, I would probably go with XP, no Turbo memory, and use Fingerprint. If money allows, of course I'd try a home basic Vista to experience how good or bad it actually is.

I see what you mean in memory part. I either start with 1 DIMM 2GB, or I'd better start with 2 DIMM 1 GB because 3 GB memory is not right.



Thanks for the replies, you guys really help me to see a clearer picture of what I want. Thanks.

 

What's more important: user experience or faster benchmarks?

 

Depends on who you are. User experience for me - in which Vista wins hands down(albeit not on a Thinkpad - on my Athlon 64 X2 3800 w/2GB RAM + 7900GT desktop) - XP would get slow and clunky after about the 30th tab in FF or IE... Vista chugs right along. XP would lose dialogs and alt-tab and just suck, Vista chugs right along. It may not be more responsive(I really haven't compared) but it's more productive. That's what counts for me

 

30th tab?:wub:

 

Start with a single 1GB stick and then purchase another 1GB or 2GB stick someplace else and install it yourself.
3GB is perfectly all right, btw.

 

I have DPS... also known as Digital-Packratting-Syndrome or Dumb-People's-Syndrome

 

User experience, which is also why I choose Vista as it is much easier to use. But the benchmarks and help prove to others that it is not bloated. I usually start with the benchmark routine as its what people start pulling out of there a** whenever the bloated subject comes up

But anyhow, enough XP vs. Vista talk, that is up to him.

I would save your money by doing the intel integrated. It makes no difference for photography and it only is useful in 3D if you are doing really indepth 3D work with CAD and such.

 

I believe I can do the majority of CAD work in the computer labs. School usually doesn't assume everyone to have a laptop ready for that kind of software. So since it is good enough for photography, I'm fine. I was just a little worried about its ability to do Raw editing, but now I found out that a good processor and memory count more than the graphic card. Dedicated graphic card is really dedicated to gaming and 3d graphics.

 

Questions about warranty

How can i get 3 years warranty with T61p 14"?
If i purchase "3 Year Depot Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection" it will extend warranty?

Thanks