Thinkpad for 64Bit OS

I currently own an X60 Tablet, I am planning to upgrade the ram to 3GB, since I recently found out that it will not support 4GB due to the chipset. So, I was fooling with the idea of getting another Thinkpad. (I have had several thinkpads, X20, X22, X24, X30, X32, wish I still had them) So I am looking to get an X series that will handle XP Pro 64-bit and Win7 64-bit in a (possible) dual boot config. I need to have XP, I have some old programs that do not run in Win7. This is just a thought, a project that I will be looking into within the next 6 months. I am not looking at new, but used would be fine, so older X series is fine. I appreciate any suggestions.

 

As far as X-series are concerned, the X61 supports 64-bit architectures... although generally it tends to run a bit hot, and I found the keyboard cramped. Since you've already got an X60, you won't be changing anything as form factor goes.

My personal recommendation would be an X200. Since the X201 came out prices have been dropping, and you can pick one up for a pretty good deal if you look hard enough. I wasn't much of a fan of widescreen until mine, where the full-sized keyboard and better resolution than the X60/61 really help out. Also, the temps keep down quite a bit and it can take up to 8GB of RAM... all in all it's a sweet machine.

 

The X61s also 64 bit architecture and tends to run a bit cooler. If you're willing to spend the money for a X200, it's a fantastic machine worthy of the ThinkPad name.

 

The 64 bit OS is supported on T60, R60, X60 with the T5xxx, T7xxx CPU (T5xxx on these machines doesn't have virtualisation technology).

Anything later than that should support both the virtualisation technology and 64 bit OS (only the Core Duo based CPU did not have the 64 bit OS support).

Given that you got the X60t, you could look at the R500 or R400 laptops for home use.

 

Thanks for the recommendations, I will looking into investing in one of the X61 or X200 within the next 6 months. I was considering one of those two, but needed a second opinion from users on those notebooks. Thanks.

 

i would avoid the X61 as the T7xxx CPU runs extremely hot in a X61.

 

I have been looking around for an X61 in either tablet or thinkpad, but when I reviewed the tablet and thinkpad overview on IBM Support, I found this....

X61 Tablet:
512MB, 1GB or 2GB standard PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz SO DIMM memory
Supports up to 4GB maximum memory
Note: Only 64-bit operating systems support more than 3GB of system memory (RAM).

X61 Thinkpad:
512MB, 1GB, or 2GB and supports up to 4GB maximum memory
Note: Only 64-bit operating systems support more than 3GB of system memory (RAM). Intel Chipsets 945GM and 945PM do not support more than 3GB system memory (RAM), even when a 64-bit operating system is installed.

So does the either X61 model support 6 to 8 GB of ram??

Or should I just look at the X200/X201??

 

Both the X61 and X61t unofficially support 8GB RAM max, and IIRC the chipset is the GM 965(Santa Rosa) instead of the 945(GMA X3100 instead of the GMA 950, for example). It uses PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM, so it should be a bit less expensive than the PC3-8500 DDR3 RAM the X200 uses.

 

So, I would need to find an X61 with the GM965 chipset instead of the 945 that my X60 has?? Do you know which model type have that chipset?? Or is it all X61s?? Because the overview for the X61 listed this "Intel Chipsets 945GM and 945PM do not support more than 3GB system memory (RAM), even when a 64-bit operating system is installed" Not listed on the X61T?

 

The overview is definitely wrong on this. The X60(and variants) use the GM945 chipset and won't take more than 3GB of RAM. The X61(and variants) use the GM965 chipset and will take up to 8GB. The chipset upgrade is the main difference between the X60 and the X61.

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I will be looking for an X61 in either form, but it seems to me that the thinkpad offers a faster CPU over the tablet. Don't you think?? But you would get the tablet features with Windows 7, so it is a toss up.

 

The X61 offers a faster processor than the X61t or the X61s. You can get up to a Core 2 Duo T9300 in the X61, but it might be kinda hard to find and it probably runs fairly hot with that kind of CPU under the hood. In comparison, the best you can get in the 's' and 't' models is the L7700... kinda weak in comparison.

 

Thanks for your comments, greatly appreciated. I just orderd 3GB of Patriot Ram for my X60 Tablet for $68.00. Next, upgrade my HD to a WD 640GB HD. Thanks again.

 

I just found an X200 with a P8600 @ 2.4Ghz with 4Gb of RAM and a 160GB hard drive, just the Thinkpad for $550. Is this a good price? Should I get it??

 

Well, I did not let it get away, so I got it. Any comments??

 

Well, I got my X200 today, WOW!! It is practically a netbook. When I discussing getting a notebook for 64bit, I was considering the X61 or X200, but then I thought about it and what I really needed was a notebook to access the internet/network while completing workorders/customer repairs. So, I considered a netbook, but when I looked at what was available and the price of some of these netbooks, I decided to look at the X61 or X200 for under $600, same of price of high end netbooks. So I am very happy with my purchase/investment. It is out of warranty, just out, March of this year. But I take good care of my notebook and usually wait until they completely died or just get replaced. I just wanted to keep the forum up to date on my hunt for my next notebook/thinkpad. Next thing is to install 64 bit Windows 7, but debating between Utimate or Professional. Plus on my original post, after some research, it would be practically impossible to install 64 bit XP on this thinkpad, drivers, drivers, drivers, lenovo, just does not have them for the X200, for the matter, any thinkpad. Plus the next issue, the RAM, 8GB is expensive, so I might put that off, untill prices come down.

 

4 gigs module is not that expensive on newegg

 

It came with 4GB, I was looking at running 8GB total. Also, if I run say, 1-4 GB and 1-2GB stick, will it run in Dual Channel, or does it need to be the same size ram in both slots? Since I am planing to run 64 bit, I would like to get the most ram out of it. Also, would you recommend Win 7 Pro or Ultimate?? The basic purpose of this thinkpad is for my TECH bag, 1. to access the internet during customer repairs and 2. to access the school server at my contract job. Although, I am also thinking that 8GB is overkill, I should just go with some high performance ram like, Hyper X or Crucial, Corsair.

 

There's no need to dual boot. Just run virtual xp in 7.

 

My thoughts too. I say run it with 4GB until it becomes an issue. You can always upgrade down the road if need be. Congrats on the machine. It's a great ThinkPad.

 

in win 7 with X200, the ram must be either single stick setup (1 gig, 2 gig or 4 gigs single stick) or equal paired (1 +1 or 2 + 2, 4 + 4 gigs) setup, otherwise you would get the screen artifact problem.

 

The T9300 which is a Penryn CPU runs cooler than the Merom T CPUs. I would place it around the same temp level as the L7500 I have in my X61s.

 

I went ahead and made the decision to go with 8GB, (4GB stick were diffinitely cheaper). I got Newegg.com - AllComponents 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model AC3/SO1066X64/4096 @ newegg for $66 each, plus a free 4Gb flash drive. So the total was $134.00. I was looking at CORSAIR, but it was about $14 more. I will be getting them next week, so I will post any positive or negative results. Any suggestions on a SSD, 64GB?

 

Yes, I recommend XP Mode for this. I installed it on my wife's T61 so she could VPN to her work network (they don't support Win 7 yet). It's also free if you're running Win 7 Professional or Ultimate; you don't need a separate XP license.

 

A t61P is supposed to take 8gb of ram. Does anyone know the part number?
Renee

 

part no. of what? ram?

 

All ThinkPad T61p's will run with 8GB of memory assuming you have a 64 bit OS. Just make sure you are using two 4GB DDR2 SoDIMMs that are compatible.

 

Well, I have my X60 Tablet to run XP (Tablet) for my XP programs. I recieved the RAM today, installed and working just fine. Only issue, I have, is the same issue with 4GB that it came with, 4GB (2.98 usable), now 8GB (2.98 usable). How does this work?? Is the thinkpad, not trying to be greedy?? "I am good with 2.98GB, I don't need 8GB, but thanks" says my thinkpad X200. I realize that it has something to do with graphic, but come on, 5GB for my graphics??

 

The X60 and T60 series machines are limited effectively to 3GB of memory. The Santa Rosa class processors and chipsets in the X61, T61 and later allow for more than 4GB if using a 64 bit OS.

 

are you running 32 bit or 64 bit OS? and have you tried updating the bios firmware?

 

None of that will matter on the X60. 64 bit OS required on the X200.

 

i was talking about the X200.

X60, Z61, R60, T60 can only use 3 gigs of ram, regardless whether it is 32 bit or 64 bit OS.

 

I am sorry for the confusion...., I decided not to run XP Professional 64 bit on the X200 in a dual boot configuration with Win 7 Ultimate due to the fact that Lenovo does not offer and drivers for XP Pro 64 bit. So any programs, (personal use) that run better in XP, I will run on my X60 Tablet in XP Tablet, with is also running Vista Ultimate 32bit, (studying for my Vista 70-620 exam). So on my X200, I am running Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit, I recently increased the ram to 8GB, but I am getting the same issue I was getting with 4GB, (2.98 usable). So I really don't understand why, the X200 is not using all 8GB of ram.

 

What model x200 do you have? Where are you looking to see what is useable?

 

"part no. of what? ram?"

Yes, Lead_org,

I wisk to buy 8 gb of ram for my T61p. Do I need to buy an empty board from lenovo for the memory? Or how do I purchase the meory?

Renee

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231210

that's all you need.

remove the original memory: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-72541

install the new: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-72557

 

I don't think Lenovo ever offered a 4 gigs DDR2 Ram stick for the T61, R61, X61 machines, since Lenovo never reported these machines as having support for over 4 gigs of ram.

@Espione, try updating the bios firmware.

 

Nobody in the industry did on the Santa Rosa platform. 4GB SoDimms came out after. You won't find 8GB maximum in the specs for any of those Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, ASUS, etc. laptops. That didn't really didn't happen en masse until Montevina.

But that doesn't mean they don't work and the G.skill sticks he pointed to at newegg.com. have been used by several T61p owners I know.

 

I am not saying it won't work, I am just saying that Lenovo don't offer the 4 gig ddr2 ram modules, which is what Renee wants. I use 8 gigs of ram in the t61p and x61 that I had (g.skill version), and they worked great.

 

People will read that and wonder why Lenovo didn't. They'll think it doesn't work. Etc., Etc. You would be better off pointing people to some supporting facts.

For instance, the X200 chipset used is documented at Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset and lists 8GB MAX memory.

 

The 4GB sticks that I got from Newegg ran me about $134.00 with shipping. It is no Kingston, Crucial, or Corsair, but it was the lowest and it worked just fine.

Newegg.com - AllComponents 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model AC3/SO1066X64/4096


One of the user review stated it ran on R400, so I figured it would work and it did.

I did a bios update and still get the same issue, 8GB (2.98 usable), I find this under computer properties.

 

WinKey + R > type "msconfig" and press enter > click 'Boot' tab > click 'Advanced Options...' > uncheck 'Maximum Memory'

reboot.

 

Thanks, that worked, I get 8GB (7.90 usable).

 

No one really set max mem did they?

Renee

 

Okay, sound like I did something wrong, did I?? Please explain. I was only hoping to get my Thinkpad to read all my 8GB of ram.