T60p vs. T61: Some practical considerations

So I have on order (delivery estimate 5/28) a T60p 14" with most of the goodies, that I ordered on the last day of the incredible discount through the shareholder purchase plan. I was waiting to order it to hear about the T61 and after the initial reports were less than encouraging, I went ahead and did it. The things I wasn't happy about in the T61: lower resolution screen, audio ports in front, and, apparently, much reduced battery life.
Now I find out out that my t60p is going to have pretty pathetic battery life as well due to the v5250 and the NVS 140m actually has better 3dmark06 scores with comparable battery life. So now I'm reconsidering. Is 3dMark06 the end-all, be-all of graphics performance? The V5250 is 256MB while the NVS is only 128mb, doesn't that count for anything?
I also hear that the t61p is going to be released fairly soon and it will have the old 4:3 aspect ratio back with the better resolution, but can I really trust that? I'm really sick of waiting and I probably won't be able to afford the t61p when it's released anyway, so the question is: should I go with the T61 for essentially the same price with the current discount? I would rather have the 4:3 but will the T61p be much more expensive? Will the battery life suffer even more with the higher-end graphics card? Is it true that the NVS 140m isn't even DX10 compatible? As you can see, I'm very confused.
I'll probably be happy with the T60p, but I hate to make such a huge purchase when there is a new generation available for the same price. I'm not a huge game player, but I occasionally will partake, and I'm super stoked about Spore which should be released sometime in the next year. Will the V5250 play it, do you think? Are there any other disadvantages of the new platform besides the reduced battery life? Is there something that I'm missing that should make the decision easier?

Thanks

 

Wow, that was a long read. I could easily break that down into at least 4 different threads

I would go with the T61. Newer processor, wide screen is a plus for your minor gaming needs, looks better, better rollcage, intel turbo memory and so on. For the same price, why not go with the latest. I love my t60 very much and don't regret not getting a t60p. The only thing I got bored with very fast is the non-wide screen. I think wide screens are the way to go nowadays. NVS does support DX10 and is a better card (for gaming) than the v5250 and 3dmark is a great benchmarking tool. About the audio ports, I'm glad they're now in front.

Either way, you can't go wrong with a thinkpad.

Good Luck

 

If I were you, I'd cancel the current order and order a 14.1" (4:3) T61p. As IBMac, said, the newer processor and better video card will make the wait worth it. That being said, the T61p will almost certainly cost more because (a) you got the T60p on sale and (b) the T61p will cost more with or without sales because of the upgraded parts and it's a new notebook.

Matt

 

OK, so two votes for canceling the T60p and getting a T61. Does anyone feel differently? Any valid reasons for sticking with the T60p?

 

Hey buddy.
I regret not going in on that T60p deal back w/ the EPP. I could have had my dream laptop for $1400 + Tax - 5% Fatwallet discount.

I thought better deals were going to come out since santa rosa is near, but I was wrong. No deals for the T60p has come out since. Now, the same config costs over $1500.

I am very sad for not jumping in on the T60p deal.

The best thing about the T60p is the X1700 like video card. It is performance, yes. The sacrafice for having good performance is having bad battery life. You havent considered this tradeoff while purchasing a notebook with a performance card?

 

I did consider it, yes, and I'm actually perfectly OK with it. I was more lamenting the fact that the new T61 has, from what I have read, significantly better graphics performance with similar battery life. I probably wouldn't even notice the difference as I'm not a gamer, per se. It's just the principle of it, I guess.
If I end up sticking with the T60p and then decide I should have gone with T61p, you're certainly welcome to make an offer. I got it for exactly the price you mentioned with a 2 year extended warranty (hopefully can afford to upgrade by then )

 

I had a T60p on order and when I realized that the shipping date was 05/10, I called and canceled the order on 05/07 because I wanted the T61. I went with the T61 for a number of reasons...

I like the 14.1 WSXGA+ LCD. I'm hoping that the screen is a little brighter than the T60p's. I'll post when I get mine - estimated ship date is 05/31.

The price was actually cheaper than the T60p I had on order and I ordered MS Office 2007 SMB version with it.

If you read the review on PC Mag, they really like the T61.

 

Lenovo wimped out and canceled the WSXGA+ screens for 14.1" laptops.

EDIT: Was that a typo? Did you order a WXGA+ screen?