T61 vs Y510 (college student..)

I've been trying to decide on what laptop to get and with the recent price drop in T61's I have been looking at Lenovo. I can get one with 2.1 GHZ, 3 GB ram, 7200 RPM HD, Vista Business, 128 MB Dedicated Video Ram. This will be $958 plus shipping. I also found a Y510 on Newegg for $650. It has 1.86 GHZ (older processor I am sure, T2390), 3 GB, 5400 RPM HD, integrated graphics. I am a college student (so budget is a factor of course..) and will be mostly doing basic functions (internet, e-mail, MS Office). I am an experience computer user so I do need some speed, and quality is a must. I am a junior and expect my laptop to take me into business school (which is why I am leaning towards the T61). The $300 difference is making me think twice. Just looking for some expert opinion before a pull the trigger on the T61. Is it worth $300 more??

 

have you considered the t400?

you can get one for under 1k

 

I have...with the specs I want it runs in at $1001...With regards to the T400 it is another big decision between 15.4 vs 14.1 inch. I currently have a 15.4 Sony that I card around frequently and its not really a hassle with weight. I am partial to a larger screen. How much newer are the components in the T400? Will similar specs but newer parts give me another year of use before upgrading? (Haven't kept up to date with the new processors etc.)

 

from what I have read, the y510 seems to have some heat issues, go with the t61, you'll get much better build quality.

 

Also forgot to mention Y510 has Vista Home Premium, I'm not sure how much different business is, I have Home Premium now and its not the worst thing in the world...

 

Get the T61, you won't be dissapointed. T400 will give you better battery life.
Try getting the T61 with a 45nm processor. I got a T61 4:3 screen with the T8100 (see sig) and the proc is very cool, the keyboard area just above the CPU is cool. I have never owned a Thinkpad with this characteristic. If you have never used Thinkpads, you will get in love with one. Easily these machines could last you 4+ years.

 

Yeah I am gonna go with the T61. Unfortunately the price just went back up so Im gonna have to wait again...maybe I can call and they will give me the better price?

 

You could try searching on eBay, I got mine from seller jennyslaptop

 

I would also say you go for the T61 or the new T series. You are going to use it in college and I assume you will take it to classes. The metal reinforcement in the T series will be nice. If you were to just use it at home I would have said maybe Ideapad if you really really had to save the money. The Thinkpad is a much better machine and is very nice. I have the T61p and am really happy with it. I cannot image a notebook without metal reinforcement, makes me scared