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    T7300 Vs T7100

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jor, Sep 1, 2007.

  1. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    When I ordered the T61 standard screen yesterday, I forgot to upgrade the CPU.

    Will we see much performance improvement by upgrading from T7100 to T7300?

    Is it worth 37$ and the trouble to deal with Lenovo?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Across the board of Core 2 Duos, the step between the T7100 and T7300 is the most noticeable (double L2 cache). That said, the true performance difference is still small, however for $37, I would call up Lenovo. They wouldn't stop you, seeing how it's an upgrade.
     
  3. pacmandelight

    pacmandelight Notebook Deity

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    The T7300 should be worth it. Try talking to the Customer Sales department.
     
  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    More than likely they will make you cancel and place your order again. It depends on what you are doing. For things like office and internet, the difference will be marginal if any. CPU intensive tasks like coding audio or crunching databases is where the extra L2 will help. The T7100 is still a very good CPU.
     
  5. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    thanks for replying, guys.

    i doubt i'll benefit from the L2 cache at all. I just feel bad not upgrading it for 40$ bucks. I was so excited and forgot to do that.

    I plan to use the laptop for office/web and a bit image editing but nothing fancy. I don't game at all and no audio encoding for me too...
     
  6. SkiBunny

    SkiBunny Notebook Deity

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    Then don't regret the T7300. Fact is, you could work just fine on a midrange Pentium M. Many experienced thinkpad affectionados would actually *prefer* the older pentium-equipped T42/41/40 for your needs. LOL. (they were very fine machines)
     
  7. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    The T7100 should do perfectly fine for the tasks you have listed. Like Zaz said, the T7300 extra cache would have helped in tasks which are heavily processor based. Theres no difference in performance for everyday tasks between the two processors.
     
  8. n1hilist

    n1hilist Notebook Consultant

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    My T7100 is perfect, the difference in an office work environment is not noticeable, I have a Core 2 Duo E6600 (4mb L2) in my desktop and the difference in CPU speed is hardly noticeable - utnil I fire up my music software or games.

    The T7100 stays nice and cool in my T61.
     
  9. admlam

    admlam Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Another possible way to look at this is to consider the next Penryn refresh.

    Penryn will still be socket P, and still use the Santa Rosa chipset -- so it could be drop-in compatible, maybe requiring a new bios.

    So spending more on a bit more on a processor you might eventually upgrade anyway will not be worth it. Penryn would offer more tangible benefits with decreased heat output and lower power consumption in addition to finishing that process a few seconds early.
     
  10. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    I know I won't notice the difference in performance, but I just feel bad I didn't take the advantage to have a nicer cpu for 30 bucks.

    Is there any difference in power consumption between these two processors?
     
  11. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    I know, a t40 would be powerful enough for my work.

    But I am obsessed with laptop and always want the best, coolest gear.

    I hope T61 is rugged enough.


     
  12. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    will they make me cancel the order and place a new one? I took advantage of the 20% off coupon. I don't want to lose that.
     
  13. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    will do that tomorrow morning. do they work on labor day?


     
  14. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    maybe I should spend the money on a waterfield sleeve? :D
     
  15. Arabian

    Arabian Notebook Consultant

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    T7300 should be the one to go with for the current tasks and future ones ;)
     
  16. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    they are closed today...
     
  17. SkiBunny

    SkiBunny Notebook Deity

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    A T42 is waaay cooler gear than a T61. At least to the geeks in the know.
    The T61 is not a classic or collector's item and never will be.
     
  18. braddd

    braddd Notebook Deity

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    It's labor day so that should be pretty much expected.
     
  19. kevinthegenius

    kevinthegenius Notebook Enthusiast

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    Apparently they are closed; however, their phone line let me in the queue and I waited a full 60 minutes like a total idiot before I finally concluded that IBM wanted to play a sick joke on me!
     
  20. eyecon82

    eyecon82 Notebook Deity

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    I would definitely go with the 7300 for $37 extra...it is probably the best bang for your buck...however, further upgrading is not worth it IMO
     
  21. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    yeah, I'll call them again tomorrow morning.

    But I don't really want to go through the hassle of cancelling/reorder ... will they still honor the 20% I had in the original order?
     
  22. eyecon82

    eyecon82 Notebook Deity

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    i doubt it...but you may have to pull a fast one and say you originally ordered a 7300...however something went wrong during checkout
     
  23. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    you mean if I make change to my order, I will lose the discount?
     
  24. eyecon82

    eyecon82 Notebook Deity

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    yea...lenovo is weird like that...they will have to cancel your whole order and then make a new one...i dont understand why they just can't edit it...but once the order reaches warehouse..there's nothing they can do....

    I've even had orders that I cancelled...so they said they'll message the warehouse for cancellation request...and I still ended up getting the notebook shipped
     
  25. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    this sounds quite strange.

    I'll call them and see what happens.
     
  26. eyecon82

    eyecon82 Notebook Deity

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    yep..it is very strange indeed
     
  27. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    thanks for the information.

    what did you end up getting?

    t7100 will be enough for me, but I just feel bad not getting the 7300 for 40 bucks.

    or should I just spend the money on a nice waterfield sleeve...

    en....
     
  28. braddd

    braddd Notebook Deity

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    Get what you'll be happy with, anything else and you will be kicking yourself down the line.
     
  29. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    I'll try to call them, but if I am losing the discount, i'll keep the 7100 then
     
  30. eyecon82

    eyecon82 Notebook Deity

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    yea...if they let you keep the discount...then go for it..otherwise it's not worth the hassle and it'll probably end up costing you a lot more without discount. Anyhow, if you just use ure comp for office/internet...the difference will be neglible

    I went with the 7300 because of the L2...i probably wouldn't even notice a difference..but just added it on because it was only like $37 extra
     
  31. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    cool. thanks!
     
  32. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    how long does it take to get to customer service?

    should I call sales to modify an order?
     
  33. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    I was told that if I modify the order, I won't get the discount any more.

    So... T7100 it is.

    should be enough for me. Darn it, the T7300 upgrade is a steal...
     
  34. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    Do yourself and us a favor... cancel the freaking order. The main Lenovo US website is still advertising the discounts, and so does the ordering site.

    Buy what you really want now, call them back, and cancel the order. There are always happy to cancel the previous order when they find out you re-ordered a machine, especially if it means more revenue.
     
  35. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    there was additional 20% off on the T61 standard screen models...

    the rep said even he canceled the order, the laptop might still be shipped, since the order was already sent to the warehouse...