Thinking about a T61...

I'm looking into buying a t61, and I'm wondering if I should wait until maybe they update it. Will this happen anytime before I start school in august? Will any update to it be worth a wait?

Right now I'm looking at :
Processor1 Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Operating System12 Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Operating System Language Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - US English
Display type 14.1 WXGA+ TFT
System graphics nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Total memory 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard US English
Pointing device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
Hard drive4 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device5 DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Wireless card10 ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
Bluetooth Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery60 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord Country Pack North America
Language Pack Language Pack US English
Additional Microsoft productivity software preload Microsoft OneNote 2007 - Eng excluding EU-EFTA

41C9334 3 Year Depot Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection

250410U ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock with US/Canada/LA Line Cord

Subtotal: $ 2,103.00
Sale Price: $ 1,431.21
Estimated total: $ 1,431.21*
Total savings $ 671.79

(vista basic because i can get ultimate at school for 34 bux, and going to buy another 2 gigs of ram for 30 bux on the internet as oppose to paying for it through them)

For a laptop this expensive...will this still be good for years to come with these specs? Any reason to alter any of the specs in it? My dad has always had thinkpads and they have lasted for tons of years. Those were IBMs, he hasnt had any experience with lenovo renditions of them. Will I be satisfied with this laptop?

Also, the 3 year warranty I selected, do they fix or replace your broken computer with a new/refurb one upon "repair" if that time comes. Are these laptops prone to break?

Also, how much battery life would I expect with the 9 cell? How much would it stick out?

Thanx

 

Intel won't release Montevina until July/August so earliest you will get a laptop with it is in August/September. I would just get it now. The T6x series feels a bit cheaper than the T4x series which in turn feels a bit cheaper than the T2x series - but its still a pretty good quality laptop.

 

The T61s I've seen have been solid. Not all was rosy in the olden days either. The T4xs have GPUs coming loose, the T30s have memory slot issues, etc. The bummer is the ditched the standard screen and in particular the IPS screens. I'm not against widescreen, but like having more choices.

The screens on ThinkPads are average now that the FlexViews are gone. I think the reason to wait if you are going to is to hopefully get a better screen. Some of the new models will offer optional LED screens which tend to be brighter, get better battery life and are more evenly lit.

 

I just received a machine very similar to the one you are building and like it a lot. I would agree with the previous poster that the T6x feels a BIT cheaper than the T4x series, but it does have a better keyboard (which is not easy, the T4x keyboards were very nice) and still has a great look and feel overall.

I am very happy with it. If you catch it at the right time to use the right coupons, you should be able to get 25-35% off, and it will be a long time before they have sales that deep on the new ones.

 

yea right now I'm going through the CPP to get the price that I posted. (Found the link/code somewhere)

These prices make the lenovos cost virtually the same as an equivalently equipped Dell Latitude or a HP. Those are pretty much the only other laptops I am considering. I want a 14.1 inch because IMO 13.3's are too small, and a 15.4 is too big. Also, other than hp and the latitudes, you really cant get too many computers with docking capabilities. When I come back from class I want to be able to have a monitor, Ethernet, mouse, keyboard, printer all attached through the dock and not have to plug in each one individually. I don't understand why all laptops don't have this.

Do you think in comparison to the dell or the hp, I should not get the lenovo? I've seen the hp, and it just seems very plastic..it is. Anyone have experience with a dell latitude? I've seen a T42, and was very pleased with it. I'm pretty much aiming for a durable good computer that will last me a while...for the price I'm paying.

 

I have very little experience with the Dell Latitudes, although they do seem nice. Most of the Dell's I see are Inspirons, and there is no contest between the t61 and them.

For years I have told people the only reason not to get a thinkpad is the price. If you can get one for the same price as a HP/Dell, I would pick the Thinkpad every time.

(Keep in mind, I am Biased. I just bought one. Replaced my T23 that was made around 2001-2002)

 

cut back on the ram and get yourself 4gb for no more than $80. sometimes you can get a 4gb pc5300 kit for as low as 50 after rebates



EDIT

nevermind I see you already have a ram battle plan

maybe cut back on the onenote and get student discount version?

 

I just got a machine very similar to yours and I love it. Unless you really want an LCD screen just get!this one you won't regret it!

 

Its like 17 bux from lenovo... usually its like 50 or more elsewhere. I figured for that cheap I'll get it, probably wouldn't buy it otherwise.

 

If you are attending a big University, then don't buy any software. You can buy software form University for unbelievably cheap. Here, I can get MS office Pro for $10. They hand out CDs and print you a key.

 

I know that...I'm buying vista ultimate from them for 34 bux....microsoft office I dont need. Thats 30 anyway. I have a copy already. Just got onenote cuz it was 17 bux....which they dont sell at my school.