T61 vs X61 vs V200

I've been looking at these 3 options and was hoping for some feedback on them. This will be a computer for graduate school. I want some portable and powerful...occassional light gaming would be nice.

My thoughts about them:

V200
Pro: Small, internal optical drive,
Con: Not on sale, only 2 configs available so I'm stuck with one that is either too weak or one that has more options than I want. Also. how sturdy are these compared to thinkpads?

X61:
Pro: small, durable thinkpad, on sale
Con: No internal optical drive (a fairly big concern)

T61 -14 inch
Pro: Dedicated graphics, overall a solid machine, on sale
Con: Heavier, and less portable, I intent to carry my laptop daily to campus

 

personally I don't think you will use the optical drive too much on work or study. (at least it is the case on me)

So here's my suggestion, if
1. weight is really a concern to you,
2. you have a desktop at home so you don't usually use your laptop to watch dvd or play games,
3. you are OK with red botton,

then go with x61.

 

If only the X61 was offered with widescreen. Oh well.

 

If you're just worried about screen real estate, then you can go with the sxga+ option. If you can handle all those pixels. Unless of course you are looking to WS for movies... on a 12"!

You prefer widescreen for just day to day stuff too? I think I'[m getting that way myself. It would be sweet if there were a thinkpad version of the d420



I'd love an x61. I just fear heat, even with the L processors.

I think unless really minimizing portability, and really maximizing battery life- T is your sweet spot imo, ymmv. Plus it's in the sweet spot of price right now too. Cheaper than the bigger and cheaper than the smaller.

 

I don't really care about a widescreen.

I think I would use the opitical drive a decent amount, playing DVD's and such when I'm away from home. I'd also have to buy an external drive for the X60 so I can install Microsoft office, the IBM one seems a bit pricey.

At the moment I'm leaning towards the V200, think there's any chance of a sale in the near future on it, at the moment its like the only Lenovo laptop not on sale?

At the moment, I use a T43 at my job, and to be honest it doesn't feel that light if I were carrying it everyday.

 

dude... personally I think watching dvd on 12.1'' screen is painfull.

so if you want to watch dvd often on your laptop, you shouldn't consider a 12.1'' in the first place.

 

Wow, you are currently using a T43, and you can do without the trakcpoint and that nice snicky keyboard well enough to make this one a tossup? I mean yeah v100 will have some space savings, but I don't think it will be that drastic toi give up all you get in a thinkpad. Id like to see the vol diff is in cubic inches. Have you checked them out already, the non tp lenovos? Kicked the tires? I suggest doing so b./f buying sight unseen. They feel solid, but the exterior is obviously a more flimsy, plasticky feeling plastic than even the cheapest built thinkpads. No where close imo. Plus the ones Ive seen have glossy screens, don't know what your pfreference is there.

And v100 is kind of on "sale" right now too, if you count rebates. $250 mail in rebates if you don't hate those as much as I do (big ones aren'[t wroth the risk, small ones aren't worth the time Ive decided, dont even mess w/them anymroe).

BTW anyone know how much heat is a factor in those v100's ? That's one thing I did notice about the n100, despite its flaws, it did stay cool. I don't think they look bad either. People complain about retro 90's auto-amplifier look, but still clean.

One interesting parallel b/t these two choices, one at 1280x800 in 12.1", (assuming wxga+ you go w/in t61) 1440x900 in 14.1" works out to almost the same density- 124dpi. only tow combinations of res. and size that works out that way.

I don't think you can go wrong w/either one though really.

 

By DVD watching I was htinking like on a plane, or in a hotel room, not at home, I have my tv for that.

I'd go look at one, if I knew where I could, are there any retail stores with them?

I like my current T43, it feels really sturdy and all, but when I lug it places, its not that comfortable.

A coworker has an X60 (or possiblly the one before that) and I've used that and feels sturdy and compact....but I dunno the lack of an optical drive really bothers me, because then I need to buy one of those and add more price on.

 

always gotta sacrifice a little more for the lightness and thinness right?

if thinkpad is not your only preference, you can have a look at xps m1210 (12.1'' with optical drive) or wait a little for xps m1330 (13.3'' with optical drive).

 

I looked at the m1210, but it just looks so gaudy, but maybe I'll take another look. I have a feeling the m1330 will be out of my price range.