Two Thinkpads in hand, you help me decide!

Well I have two thinkpads at hand right now in unopened boxes. One's is from CDW being deliverd today and the other is from Lenovo that apparently shipped or is going to because I have a serial number for the system....

T60P (CDW)

T7200
2gb Ram
ATI Fire GL V5250
100gb 7.2k rpm
15.4 WSXGA+
Bluetooth
Vista Business


T61(Lenovo)

T7700
2gb Ram
Bluetooth
Turbo Memory
100gb 7.2k rpm
15.4 WSXGA+
GMA X3100
Vista Ultimate

What would you keep and why? I will use this for primarily word processing in college. Would like to run Vista Aero Glass Interface flawlessly @ native resolution! Can the X3100 do that? This is a really hard decesion for me guys, help me out.

Thanks!

 

Get the T61.

 

Any reason why, I see that you have a T60p?

 

I went with a T60p because of the flexview screen. Had there been a T61 or T61p with a flexview screen, I would have gone with a T61(p) in a heart beat.

 

Does the T61 have the very unique thinkpad feel, almost like velvet?

 

IMO, If you are going to be doing tons of rendering or CAD get the T60 because of the ATI Fire GL card. If you arent going to be use it for any of that screw the T60 and go for the T61

 

I notice they both have WSXGA+ screens. I just sold my t60 for that reason -- I had the samsung panel (it was very displeasing: terrible viewing angles, white colors were grainy gray, and a couple of notches dimmer than other t60 WXGA panels)

My advice is to make sure you don't get stuck with a samsung WSXGA+ panel.

 

Well the Serial Number Lookup on Lenovo's site is dead, I cant enter it, its not letting me, any ideas as to why? I still havent made a decesion either.

 

Leaning towards the T60p because centered screen, CFRP lid and bottom, better build quality, its here today, and it has a dedicated GPU for occassional gaming. Integrated graphics blow IMO

 

Would like to run Vista Aero Glass Interface flawlessly @ native resolution! Can the X3100 do that? Yes and so can the integrated graphics on the T61. The Intel GMA X3100 graphics was designed with Vista Areo in mind.

I'd go for the T60 if I planned on doing some CAD, video editing or gaming. I'd stick with the latest technology (the T61) if you are doing word processing and websurfing like you said. Although you are not just limited to word processing and websurfing with the T61 there is plenty power for more.

 

Why would I need the latest technology for word processing/websurfing? BTW, Fedex just delivered my T60p.

 

Furthermore, the increase in performance from Merom to Santa Rosa is negligible. Will I see a difference in normal usage from T7200 to T7700?

 

You answered your own question. Stick with the T60p, it is a powerful machine that looks elegant.

 

No defivately not. Having the latest just gives you that warm fuzzy inside that says "I've got the latest."

Probably not. The way those two laptops are configured I'd say they would perform almost the same... except for gaming. The T60p would do better.

 

I think Im gonna stay witht he T60p - going off to college, worrying about BSODs on a T61 is not something im interested in.

 

noooooo, get the warm fuzzy feeling its the shiz-nit!

 

Confirmed, T61 shipped yesterday.

 

Looking forward to opening my T60p after work, last chance to convince me otherwise and go for the T61 instead.

 

i feel for you... two unopened boxes, itching to find out how they run..

 

Anyone else, still deciding lol?

 

well, I just received my T60p and got it set up last night and I couldn't ask for more from a laptop! Runs super cool & quiet compared to anything I've ever used before, I really like the screen, WSXGA+ is perfect resolution for me. Fooled around with it all evening and never had to plug it in! Way better battery life than I expected (I have the 9 cell).

For me the wait for the newest technology (T61p) wasn't worth it, also the unknown reliability of having a brand new versus proven system.

 

Thanks motodave, you've convinced me considering we have the exact same specs, what OS are you running BTW?

Is it fast, how does it perform?

 

XP Pro

I haven't done much so far to test its speed, but startup and normal programs run just fine.

Planning on writing a CAD centered review once I have had a chance to put it to the test more, since I couldn't find anything like that when I was looking.

 

Can you do a parts lookup? If one has an LG screen, ppl say it's better than the samsung 15.4".

There's been numerous complaints about the quality of the samsung 15.4" WSXGA+ screen on the T61. Some say it's worse than 15.4 WXGA.

I'd have picked the T60p with flexview IPS screen for the money you're paying.

I suppose you could keep the cheapest one?

 

One other thing....

Probably the T60p has international warranty and the T61 does not.

Only maters if you are going to travel or move abroad.

Altough, if it has international warranty, you can sell it to someone in europe/britain, for significantly more money than you'll get in north america. (prices are much higher in europe)

 

yep read ....
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3779

 

My T60p came with the Samsung screen. Can't say I really have much to complain about, it looks fine to me. There is a little bit of light leakage at the bottom but I rarely use my laptop in totally dark rooms so its not a big deal to me.

I did get lucky and get the NMB keyboard, which is great. Far, far superior to my fiancee's Dell.

 

yeah but it's the samsung on the T61 (WSXGA+) not T60 that peeps have complained about... I dunno why, isn't that screen the same part number for both models, i havent checked.