Thinking of new T61p, thoughts, comments?

So, I've priced up an EPP Thinkpad T61p:

15" WUXGA Display
Core 2 Duo T9300 - 2.5GHz, 6MB L2
4GB DDR2-667 Memory
Nvidia Quadro 570M 256MB
160GB 7200rpm HDD
DVD Burner
Intel 802.11n wireless
Bluetooth
9 cell battery
Vista Home Basic (Which I'll instantly wipe and install Linux)

The total comes out to $1481.53, which I think is a decent price.

I need it by this Summer, when I should be starting my new job, but here's what I'm wondering:

I've heard about some problems with the T61p's, is this still an issue?

Is there likely to be a new revision soon? Such as a T62 or T70, T80, etc? I wouldn't mind LED backlighting, DVI port, etc.

What kind of battery life should I expect on this thing?

And any other comments you may have, I'm upgrading from the following machine:

Thinkpad R51
15" SXGA+
1.7GHz Pentium M
1.5GB DDR-333
ATI Radeon 9000 32MB
80GB 4200rpm HD
Atheros 802.11G
Bluetooth

But I'll need a fairly powerful system for this summer, so whatever feedback you've got, I'd appreciate

 

Get 1GB of RAM and look in the Hot RAM Deals section here on NBR for a new set of RAM. You'll save yourself $100.

 

Yeah, never by memory from the manufacturer since they will gouge you.

What kinds of task will you be doing on the T61p? Also fill out the FAQ so that we can help you better.

 

Well, from that link a 4GB kit was ~$200, but it's only $133 to bump the ram up to 4GB straight from Lenovo

As for what I'll be doing, it'll be my primary work computer. This means a lot of development, compiling, and virtualization.

 

I agree with Kdawgca get the ram from a third party it will come out cheaper, besides that the system will be good for what you are doing.

 

Looks real good but make sure you have real good eyes if your getting the 15" WUXGA Display, everything will be real small

 

It's a pretty good price, especially because of the WUXGA, and extended battery and 4gb ram.

 

Be careful when choosing Windows. If it's a 4GB RAM then you should have Windows 64 bit. I just bought one t61p almost the same as yours and found out Win 32 bit only address 3GB RAM.

 

This is not just a limitation of Windows. Any 32 bit OS will have this Limitation(ex: Linux too). I don't claim to know all the specifics, but it has something to do with how much memory the OS kernel can use(~3GB on a 32 bit OS).

 

I'll be wiping it and installing 64 bit Linux as soon as I get it. I just picked the cheapest OS choice on the list.

and i do have pretty good eyes, and I tend to go for the highest resolution display i can get. It's a shame the T series doesn't have an option for a blu-ray drive, as the WUXGA display will handle 1080p

 

I'm not sure I have much to add. I'll simply reiterate that you will save money getting the RAM 3rd-party. You can check out www.wireddeals.com, which collocates deals from slickdeals and fatwallet. There's also the HOT RAM Deals thread, though the first post of that thread is not updated to reflect current prices. For example, it lists "G.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-667 SODIMM Notebook Memory" as being $210. However, if you actually follow the link, you'll find it is only $71.

As for the screen, I suggest going to a store and physically looking at some 15.4" WUXGA laptops and see if you actually like that resolution.

 

I was just wondering about this. Does anyone think this will be offered by Lenovo anytime soon? I would sure like to have the Blu-Ray drive. I was just at the local BB yesterday and Sony, of course, has already begun rolling out new laptops with Blu-Ray. Apparently, HP and Gateway are slated to start releasing Blu-Ray in their lines. Also, Mac (a bit of a surprise to me) is in the running as well. I hope Lenovo follows suit.

 

Maybe in the next series...
Regarding the screen, I would stay away from the WUXGA 15.4'' as they are really crap at the moment. Stick with WSXGA+.

 

what do you mean by that?

 

Make sure you take a look at a 15.4" WUXGA screen before you purchase one. If possible, use one for 30 minutes straight. Compare it also to a 1680x1050 15.4" display like the standard option for the T61p.

1920x1200 is an extremely high resolution for a 15.4" LCD. I have that resolution --on my 24" Dell widescreen LCD. It would be considerably smaller.

I made the mistake, several years back, of spec-ing 1600x1200 15" displays on the Dell Latitude C840's I ordered for myself and a colleague. Fortunately, we used them more as desktop replacements, but if I could go back and change that one to 1400x1050, I still would. It was incredibly hard on the eyes, and once they were obsoleted, we both switched to laptops with lower resolution displays. 1920x1200 is far higher yet.

I wish the 15.4" T61 line had a 1440x900 option. Since it did not, I dropped to 1280x800 when ordering, because my eyes (and not having headaches) are important to me. Your eyes may be different than mine, but just get a good look at all of these resolutions so you make the best choice of what really works for you.

 

Lenovo offers Blu-Ray on the R-61.

This seems like an odd contradiction, knowing that it is considered the budget line. The reason, as I understand it, is that the T-series ThinkPads are thinner, and current Blu-Ray technology cannot be manufactured in a form factor thin enough to fit the UltraBay Slim. The R61's UltraBay Enhanced is a little larger, allowing for a Blu-ray drive.

I'm okay with this; currently Blu-Ray is a $400 add-on, and hopefully by the time the technology becomes more affordable, the form factor can be improved.

 

actually, they're offering it for $200 now, for a Blu Ray Burner. I think that's a pretty good deal, and as I said, I wish I could get that option on the T61p.

I'll consider the WSXGA+ screen. That's the resolution I have on my desktop, but I was wanting to get a 1080p capable notebook (hence why I wanted a blu ray drive)

 

1080p is great for multimedia; I love it on my Dell 2407WFP LCD.

Once you start using it on a smaller display though, it can be painful. 720p is still a very good and usable option for entertainment, personally I think it's the best of both worlds when you're looking at a laptop.

Most of my media is XVid or DivX, so I either take it with me burned to disc or on the HDD, or stream it from my home network. I'm sure I'll find Blu-Ray cool when it comes into the $100 price range; until then, I'll wait.

 

I have WSXGA+ on 15.4" T61p right now. The fonts are actually not that small once you get used to it. I think i'd be ok with WUXGA actually.