T61P Or Wait for

Hi,

I'm needing a laptop (mainly for desktop replacement) soon mainly for office app's, internet and photoshop. I'm thinkg of the following configuration:

ThinkPad T61 15" Wide 6459 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
4 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 DIMM)8
Integrated fingerprint reader
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Slim5
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty7

Would it be better to wait for the W500 to be released. Realistically, when will it be available for shipping and how much extra would one be paying? What would I be gaining? As well, is there anything I should be changing in the configuration above.

Your advice is appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Due to the current low price of the T61P and little performance increase between the T61P and and the W500 I personally went with a T61P. Also if you do get a T61P buy it with 1GB of ram and then upgrade to 4GB later or through another vendor it will be much cheaper.

Here is some on sale right now

 

How much would that setup be? Like daphatgrant said the update really won't be very different from the current T61p. Also get 1GB of ram and install the 3GB yourself. It's very easy and there are manuals online if you are nervous to do it.

If you need a laptop right away don't wait for W500. However, if you can wait you might want to consider the W500, but I personally would go for the T61p since you can probably get it for much cheaper.
Tim

 

I'd go with the T61p. It seems now is the time to buy it if you want to save some money.

 

All,

Thanks for your responses. IT sounds like I should take advantage of the deals and order now. A couple last questions though:

The recent discussion online seems to be the defective nvidia processors. Is the NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M 256MB affected by this and is it really something to worry about? Also, what is the native resolution of the WSXGA+ vs the WUXGA? Is the $156 upgrade worthwhile

As well, what version of Vista is best? Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Business 64? The difference is only $23.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Screen resolution preference can be highly personal. It is always best to view it in person before ordering. You can try and view a WUXGA screen at a local computer store. Web browsers can now zoon in on webpages though which makes it easier for people using WSXGA+ or WUXGA screen who found the small fonts hard to read.
So this makes going with a higher resolution screen somewhat less risky.

More info on screen resolutions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wsxga+

Regarding Vista
You are asking for the difference between Vista Home Premmium and Vista Business 64. Keep in mind that not only are there different types of Vista but there is also the 32bit verses 64bit version of each type.

So your choices are.
1) Vista Home Premium 32
2) Vista Business 32
3) Vista Home Premium 64
4) Vista Business 64

To decide on Home Premium verses Business, check what they offer and see what you'd rather have.

Check out info at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista_editions
and less helpful info at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

32 bit verses 64 bit versions
64 bit has some advantages, like being able to use all of the memory installed in your notebook, 32 bit versions can only recognize a total of 3GB and a dedicated video's memory counts as part of this 3GB total. But before you instantly go the 64 bit route realize that any printer, scanner, or other type device you own may not work with a 64 bit operating system.

Good Luck

 

I have the Quadro FX 570M 256MB and have been using it for about a year. I haven't experienced any problems. I have played many games this past year (Call of Duty 4, Counter Strike: Source...and others) and I haven't had any trouble. I wouldn't worry about it.

Personally I think WUXGA would be too small for a 15.4" laptop. Even WSXGA+ feels really small at first if you are not used to it. I don't have terrible eye site, but I don't have the greatest either. I don't think I would be able to use a WUXGA 15.4" laptop without glasses.

If you are using your laptop for business I would get Vista Business, otherwise just get Home Premium.
Tim

 

Well, isn't the w500 supposed to support a max of 8 gigs of ram instead of four? Everywhere it says that that it supports 2 x 2gb sticks, but the new chipset should be able to handle the coming 4 gb sticks.
That, I think would be the major (if only) advantage over the t61p.

 

Getting 4GB SODIMMs of DDR3 RAM would cost you quite a few bills.

 

W500 all the way

 

The T61P isn't available anymore, right?

 

They took it off the site as of last night.. like wtf

 

grab it over ebay

 

i found it in my cache.. but is it worth it..or await acouple months and hit up the new one.. nice 15% coupon now 2... that work on the t61p model.. idk the gpu on it is only 256.. the new one on the w500 is 512.. worth it?

 

You are the only person who can really answer that question.

Take the emotion out of the decision -- what specifically do you need to accomplish next week that your current system cannot accomplish? How much would you be unable to accomplish over the next month or two by staying with your current system?

The smart money buys a new computer only when actually NEEDED instead of wanted.

Here's what I'd do: recover the cart from your cache and go through the ordering process to the page where you put in your credit card info -- but at the bottom click on "Convert to Quote" instead and print the quote out (print it as a PDF if you can, try PDFcreator it's free).

Then you might have a couple/few days - no idea if you really do though.

I bet there will be T61p's at the outlet for a while.

 

ah know! I saw one ddr2 4gb stick for 500 bucks! LOL, but they're probably gonna go down like crazy once they become more common, and then the w500 would actually make a difference.

 

doesnt w500 use ddr3 there buddy..?

 

T61's are back up....

 

correct me if I am wrong but we are talking about the T61p..

 

Hey,

So I have a t61p ( but showing as T61 15" Wide 6459 ) saved in my cart in the Lenovo Canada website. Can I actually use that saved cart to actually place an order? Although the Lenovo Canada website doesn't currently have the W500 on it (or pricing), it sounds like from all the discussions today, the prices are much higher than expected.

Your advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Ive been debating this all day to be honest. I too have a saved T61p listed as a T61 saved. However I am in the U.S. Looking at the differences and builds between both the T61p and the W500 I customized its about $900..

I mean if you live in Canada it shoulnt be a problem. Are you also asking if thats what you should do?

 

Yeah, I know, but that's the only thing I could find that was 4gb in a single stick

 

wait acouple months... there will b a ddr3 stick.. will the w500 work with ddr2?