T61 with Windows 7

I want to upgrade to windows 7 when it's released on the 22nd as my experience with vista has been less than spectacular. (I'm hoping windows 7 is more stable otherwise my next computer purchase will not be a windows based computer).

Anyway, there were a few question I had that I thought I may be able to get help on.

1) The specs of my computer are:
-Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0 GHz
-4 gigs of ram
-Intel x3100 video card (I think it was the 965 or something like that)
-Vista Business 32 bit
-1 GB Intel Turbo Memory
-Atheros Wifi card
-Bluetooth
-Everything else that came stock on a t61

I'm getting Windows 7 pro, but I'm trying to decide whether I should get the 32 bit or 64 bit. I basically wanted to know if I would experience any problems with my computer specs/drivers and a 64 bit OS.

2) I've researched on the upgrade to 64 bit and have read that drivers for vista 64 bit will work for windows 7 64 bit. Is this true? I ask because the Lenovo driver page seems to have most of the drivers in vista 64 bit for the t61. However, there are some drivers that don't specify whether they will work with 64 bit or 32 bit.

3) Also, the lenovo site has two drivers for bluetooth. One is for bluetooth enhanced data rate software and the other is for bluetooth enhanced data rate software II. However, under the first driver there is no download link. For the second driver, there is a download link, but it says that the t61 is not supported for this driver. This seems strange to me. Any explanation?

Thank you in advance for all your help.

 

1.
Your system should be morethan fine running Windows 7. I got a T61 myself and the biggest difference between your system and my system is that I got an Intel T9300 2.5 GHz processor and the lack of Intel Turbo Memory.

I did install Windows 7 on my T61 when the RC came out (uninstalled it again) but there were no problems at all. The system was running very smooth.

2.
The Windows Vista 64 drivers should work for Windows 7 64. I used the 32 bit version and used the Vista 32-bit drivers and had no issues. Everything installed fine and worked.

You could problably wait until Lenovo releases the drivers for Windows 7 64-bit. I can't imagine that would take long after Windows 7 is officially released. You should always download the driver specifically for your system, 64-bit or 32-bit. All drivers on Lenovo's website should specify what they'll work on. Look closer

3.
I used the driver for Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate Software II for my T61 with Windows Vista 32-bit version. Can't give any explanation why Lenovo would say it doesn't work on the T61 and I use Bluetooth all the time...

Hope that helps with some of your questions

Regards,
Jakob

 

Interesting. I really like Vista. It was not ready when it was released and a dog performance wise, which is odd since it took five years to release. The services packs help a lot. Like all OSes there's some areas where it could use some improvement. I've had Windows 7 on my R60. It ran fine. I don't foresee any issues for you on your newer T61.

I think Microsoft already stated that if it works in Vista, it'll work in Windows 7.

Not a clue.

 

I could add performance seemed better with Windows 7 on my T61 than Vista. I'm one of the Vista-lovers, especially after SP1 and SP2. Runs extremely smooth and more stable than my XP on my desktop computer.

Windows 7 seemed more responsive and snappier... I will deinitely go with Windows 7 on my T61...

 

I ordered my T61p with Vista Bus 64 and never had a problem. T61p/T9300/4Gb ram. I replaced my hdd w/ a 500Gb Seagate and am running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 via Technet. Everything works fine. Bluetooth, fingerprint reader, wireless ect. I did not reload all the Lenovo utilities though. I like Windows 7 x64. This is a great match for my T61p.

 

Vista never seemed stable enough for me. I've had to clean install it 5 times in a little over the 2 years I've been using it; it has crashed numerous times after installing windows updates; and it always seemed a little too slow and buggy to me. I never had these problems with XP.

Thank you for the replies. So I should be fine with Windows 7 64 bit, right? I'm actually very much looking forward to the new OS now.

 

You will like W7. Very user friendly, stable, faster start up and shut down, runs well on older hardware and drivers for most everything (I remember only having to add the fingerprint reader, and got that from Lenovo)

W7 is a keeper.