T61p Ordered + question

Just ordered:

T61p

14.1 SXGA+ TFT
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Genuine Windows XP Professional
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (128MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

TOTAL: ~$1330 with the 25% off sale and the 20% off coupon code (Killer deal if you ask me)

Two questions tho,

1. (Don't kill me I am sure this has been covered to death but...) how powerful is the NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (128MB) I will be using this system for work most of the time but I would like to occasionally use it for some gaming like SC2 when it comes out and a few other titles. If the 250mb version was offered with the 14" config i would have jumped on it. Plus the 20% off is only good for standard size 14" screens.

2. What is the max ram spots in this T61p? My order is 2GB x2 sticks, would i be able to upgrade in the future? if there is 4 slots and 4gb max ram would i be able to throw in 2 more 2GB sticks in the future?

Thanks!

 

only 2 ram slots - maxing out means 2x 2gb sticks.

From what I can gather, the 128MB version should do most new games with sized down resolutions. My understanding is that, while it wont give you MiNd BlOwInG performance - it should at least be playing (and if you arent too picky, acceptable as well).

 

Forgot to add, you are better off buying it with the least amount of ram and buying higher quality 3rd party ram.

You can easily get 4GB of ram off newegg for $200 total. If you must have brand name, you can order crucial/micron direct for about $230'ish total.

 

Thats great thank you,

So I can max out my ram in the future for around $200. Perfect. Will greater ram lets say 4GB compensate for the 128mb GPU?

I cannot wait for my Rig to arrive. I am still looking for a decent priced dock, i already have a 500GB Seagate Freeagent external HDD and a 22" 2ms Samsung monitor.

This should be a nice clean, and when need be PORTABLE system.

One thing thats still in my mind is that WIFI card option, I chose the standard option but what is the real difference with it and the upgrade to the other card which is around 30 dollars more?

 

I am unsure if the GPU shares additional ram or not. I have heard of cases where it does - but never seen myself. I dont think it would help all that much anyhow though as it would appear the gpu is limted by its 64bit bus, rather than the memory.

EDIT: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=162711 - there is shared memory. I think you will find it doesnt make much of a difference though.

3-3.5 GB ram will DEFINATELY help the OS and general run performance - if you go 64bit and get access to the full 4GB ram, I think you will find the notebook runs silky smooth.

I've never met someone who said they have too much ram

As for the wifi, I would definately upgrade it for a mere $30. I assume you are talking about the abgn card. This means an extra antenna for the n-abilities. This gives you a little upgrade room in the future if you ever decide to swap it for a new n-card (possibly a fully certified/standardized one).

 

Are you talking about upgrading my OS to a 64Bit version to have it run like buttah with 4GB ram?

I have the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG on order if thats the one you are refering to. There was another wireless card option and a downgrade option which was only minus $6...

Looking at Newegg this looks good for a future upgrade:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144066

Is this Geil approved for use in the T61p?

Thanks for answering my questions I apreciate it.

 

geil is probably fine. You can find cheaper ram though.

for $260 you could get a pair of matching crucial/micron sticks...otherwise, look for around the $100 price mark.

The n-capable card that gives you the internal antenna is the intel 4965agn

 

What are the added advantages of having that card Vs. what I ordered?

 

All T61p's have the extra antenna built in, there is an extra antenna lead even if you do not purchase the "N" card. You could buy the B/G card and still get the third antenna so you can easily upgrade your WIFI card in the future.

 

But why would I NEED to?

Are the advantages that drastic? This will be used at my work, school and at home. If it is able to efficiantly pick up a good connection thats all that matters.

 

I have an A/B/G/N card, the B/G card, and the 3945ABG card and honestly the B/G card seems to be the most reliable. The ABGN card has problems when coming out of standby mode, the 3945 seems to run hot, the B/G card works reliably for the most part. It really doesn't matter which card you get as they all work pretty well. The N cards at this point are a waste of money, as some might be incompatible with certain routers, draft n standards etc.

 

Great If it becomes a problem I can always upgrade it in the future.

How about this issue with bloatware i keep hearing about with Vista versions of this?

Mine is going to be XP pro since vista is crap in my eyes. Does xp still come preloaded with 3ed party crap?

Is there a safe way to remove this crap?

 

The clean install is valid for all versions - you will just need to grab drivers for xp instead of vista.

You wont be able to upgrade the wireless card in the future unless you install the extra antenna yourself. This is the main reason I suggested this...

 

You are wrong the all T61P's have the 3rd antenna "n" lead regardless of what wireless card you purchase, I am not sure where you are getting your information from. I opened up my T61P with the B/G card and it has the "white" third antenna lead in a little cardboard holder underneath the card itself.

 

Very nice, thank you for this firsthand information! repped

 

is going through all that trouble really worth it?

Cant I just manually delete all the crap I do not need?

It seems like a lengthy process and I do not want to mess with recover CDs and having to re-download drivers i dont want to F-up my brand new system...

 

Pardon my wrong information. I was under the impression that it lacked an antenna.

If this is true...Go for it

Though I was reading this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=157336&page=2&highlight=4965+antenna

 

Does my system configuration come with wireless USB?

 

it's doubtful. I dont think they added UWB back in as standard. It has not been listed on the build page since they took it off 3 weeks ago.

If it doesnt, you can add it yourself later.

 

How do I go about that? Is it costly?

They just randomly took it out?

Did it used to be part of the spec sheet?

I was under the impression that it was still offered as a standard not listed on the site when I put together my system.

When it arrives and if it doesn't have it, I will most likely complain to them. I spoke with a rep about 1.5 weeks ago who told me that it was in T61p models.

 

Im going to give them an angry call because their Rep blatantly lied to me.