T61 for architect and interior designer.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional12
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
9 cell Li-Ion Battery I guess this is a must due to the video card.

Now the hard part :

It will be 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT (or maybe WUXGA)

NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL) or
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)

will this be enough? mainly for Autocad, Photoshop, 3dMax.

or should I add, 1 or 2 Gb.

my other option was a XPS1530 with the same specs but it comes with the

256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT

and a high resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4inch LCD (1440x900)

 

The FX 570M should be sufficient for CAD, Photoshop, etc.

 

Aren't the 8600M GT GDDR3 and the FX 570M nearly the same card?

 

Yup they are.

 

You'll want to use the Quadro cards if you do CAD-related tasks, as these are optimized for OpenGL which is more widely supported for these software packages.

 

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business downgrade to Windows XP Professional12
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT Matte 1680×1050
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
9 cell Li-Ion Battery60

Ill probably get more RAM 4Gb.

I guess the WSXGA+ should be sufficient, the WUXGA seems to be to small for a 15.4.

 

ggoryn, just wondering, how much would your configuration cost you?

 

The screen resolution is highly subjective, but I have WSXGA+ and really like the screen, but I would love to try WUXGA. Might go to WUXGA in my next laptop.

 

WSXGA+ is the limit for me on a 15.4" screen. These 45 year old eyes would never be able to use 1920x1200. I am using a Dell Ultrasharp 2407-HC @ 1920x1200 and could never adjust to this resolution on a 15.4" screen.

WSXGA+ is my as far as I can go and still read my screen.

 

just as it it is US$1524 + Tax

 

This is for a 27 year old, but I also think that WSXGA+ will be the limit for a 15.4".

She suggested me to get a 17" HPdv9700 with a GeForce and 4Gb for a similar price. But Lenovo is LENOVO. HP mmmmmm, dont have that much confidence.
besides for 3d Max I will like to downgrade the system to XP.

One last question from 2 to 3-4 Gb , will there be a difference? If I get that much RAM is for Vista

 

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium12
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
4 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ10
9 cell Li-Ion Battery60

To get the most out of the 4Gb do I need to get the Genuine Windows Vista Business 64, or maybe Ultimate?

 

Actually, it's been my impression that the thinkpad screens are fairly dull and not as vibrant or bright.

I wonder if this is true of the wsxga+ versions. It bothered me about the thinkpad screens and seems to be a common complaint. I'm thinking about getting the new LED screen thinkpads in a few months, but I'm on a macbook pro right now and it's really nice in terms of the screen.

 

4 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

To get the most out of the 4Gb do I need to get the Genuine Windows Vista Business 64, or maybe Ultimate?[/QUOTE]

To fully utilize 4GB of ram, you would need a 64 bit os. Vista x64 is what I chose (and am very pleased with performance), and I also selected the 'FREE' XP Pro downgrade discs. Just in case.

I was able to save a bit of cash by ordering 2x2GB ram from Newegg instead of from Lenovo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231135

 

My wsxga+ is on the dull side as compared to some HP or Dell screens. Movies look OK.

 

I was also worried about my screen but after getting it I have been pleasantly surprised. I am very happy with it. The screen combined with the high res has made it one of the best ones I have used, no complaints. But it seems screen quality is highly variable, luck of the draw.

 

I have a very good bright screen also. T61p (1280x800, yes, I now regret it)

 

Just purchased a similar config (T61P,8300,1GB,100 Gb 7200 RPM Drive, 64 Bit vista, WSXGA+),for my wife who just got her Architecture license(Yay her!) . I went through all the searching and Quadro VS Normal Grapics, 570 vs 140, 64 Bt vs 32 Etc:

Some thougts

I went cheaper on the proc (Dual Core at 2.4 Ghz is plenty for autocad,revit etc)
I went small but fast on the HD as we have home server storage.
I skipped the DVD recordable. (have only ever burned one DVD ever)
I went with 64 bit Vista .. well just cus really
I went 9Cell because the laptop has the 570, if it had the 140 I may have gone with a smaller battery


I ordered on the 15th I got here at 10:25 AM today. While I went with cheap shipping they must have upgraded becasue it went from CHEK LAP KOK,
HK to Anchorage to Louisville to Boston and to me nonstop...

All Told it was 1255.18 plus tax and free shipping. And another 150 back from a website I used to buy it through.

She is happy and I am happy...

 

You don't have to decide that now if you just go with 2Gb in 1 Dimm. Can always add a second DIMM later and with the price of ram nowadays it doesn't hurt to go 4gb. Not sure what lenovo charges for 4gb but 1x2gb of aftermarket ram is so cheap. I got my extra 2gb aftermarket for $50, probably cheaper now.