T61 Questions for a newbie

Hi guys,

I'm interested in buying a Thinkpad T61. My first question is what is the difference between the T61 and T61P and how would I go about distinguishing them on the website (I don't see an option for a "p"--i know the difference is the upgraded components).

I wanted to purchase T61 with the following:
-Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
-14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ Camera
-nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
-4 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
-UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
-160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
-DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
-Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)10
-Integrated Bluetooth PAN
-6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
-7662: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express7 (UPGRADED TO 3 year onsite)

What do you guys think about that above configuration? Should I get the 1GB turbo memory?--I read somewhere it leads to more BSOD....Should I save money and downgrade to the 100gb HDD? (it's a matter of cost-cutting for me..I'd just adjust my usage of HDD space accordingly since I have a desktop as a backup)..--I just answered my own question! Is there a significant difference between the screen WXGA+ and WXGA? I want the integrated camera but I'm concerned that the screen resolution and quality is sig. different. I'm coming from a desktop with an intel E6750 (2.6 ghz processor with 2gb of ram...a powerhouse in my opinion when i built it a year ago and a 22" widescreen LCD 1680 x1050 resolution)...am i going to be shocked by the LCD resolution of this laptop and performance?

Please give me any input you feel would help me make a wise decision...I don't want to spend 1600 on something that won't satisfy me...because I honestly don't need a laptop until maybe a few months down the line..but don't want to spend the "extra money the newly updated thinkpads will cost"

Also, is the three year onsite or three year depot the better option? I don't want to send my laptop away for several weeks...? I had a Dell inspiron before and the dell tech always came within one to two days and fixed the problem at my house.

Sorry for the long post. I look forward to your responses.

(Also, what's the best way to get a discount on this laptop? I've done the student educational discount already....and i tried entering the most recent coupon code under a regular home user and the coupon was "invalid for the shopping cart"). I could try EPP--I think I have a source for that.

 

When you go into the T series section the T61p is on the far right click on Mobile Workstations.

 

The laptop you built is excellent. Don't bother getting turbo memory. It won't make a difference on fast computers. It will also give you a headache with all the BSD's. I would not change one thing in your configuration. Make sure you get a 64 bit operating system with your 4GB of ram. Onsite is better because the technicians come to where you live and fix your laptop! In my opinion WXGA is much better then WXGA+. It's much more clear and you can actually read the font! Of course a 22" screen is much clearer then the thinkpad. In my opinion the screen is clear though. T61P is to big of a laptop, the 14.1" T61 is big enough for me.

 

I'd stick with the default 1GB RAM (Upgrade to 1 DIMM since it's free) and buy your own memory, much cheaper that way. That should justify the cost of the 160GB HD and maybe even an upgrade to a 9 Cell battery.

Here's a thread on discounts.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144350

I used visa perks and an additional coupon listed on the front page website when directed from visaperks.

 

Do you guys think i should wait for the new laptops to be released or will even be a significant difference between my configuration and the new configuration, and most importantly, the price? I think the answer is yes...

Also for the 64 bit OS, is that only offered with Vista Business? What if i choose Vista Home Premium and the 4GB of ram? That will only "not maximize" my performance right?

Thanks guys!

 

If you do just a regular 32 bit OS, like Vista Premimum, your OS will only see 3.5 GB of memory, not the full 4 GB. Any 64 bit OS will see the full 4 GB.