Wanting to get a T61p but ...

Hi, I'm a first time poster and long time lurker.

Last couple of days, I was really stuck on getting a HP 8510p or a Lenovo T61p. I did quite a bit of research on both laptops and found that the T61p has a more powerful GPU ( please correct me if I'm wrong).

Now, Lenovo has a coupon expiring on Dec 3rd so this pushed me to get the T61p. But before I go ahead and order the t61p, I'd like to know about the displays. I heard many are dim and the viewing angles are bad? If this is the general consensus, I guess I'm getting the 8510p even though it has a less powerful GPU because screen quality is important to me.

Could anyone help me out?

Thanks

 

On the WUXGA models, it is said that the Samsung screens are miserbale. Since WUXGA is not even an option ATM, the WSXGA+ screens should be sufficient AFAIK.

 

So I shouldn't worry about getting a LG or Samsung?

 

Welcome to the forum jin_ftw,

The HP 8510 w has the same GPU as the ThinkPad T61p (Nvidia Quadro FX 570M, 256MB) you are referring to, while the HP 8510p comes with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600, 256MB.

All are great business notebook workstations which are well built and of good quality. As for the screens, just note that even with the same model notebook you might get different screens (and different quality). There are quite a few threads on ThinkPad T61(p) screen quality. A quick search will find the threads. As you are already aware of, there is quite a discussion about Samsung vs. LG.

In the meantime here are links to reviews of the aforementioned notebooks, in case you haven't read them.

Here's a review of the HP 8510w:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3862

HP 8510p:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3994

ThinkPad T61p:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3889

 

Thanks for the great info JabbaJabba! Unfortunately, I've had those reviews and screen threads bookmarked for a few days as I have been obsessing over this dilemma nonstop >.<

At this point, I'm leaning toward the T61p. What are my options if I am unhappy with the screen? Can i return the laptop without a restocking fee? Or would I have to mail it it to Lenovo for X amount of days?

Here is a similar post I made in another thread. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=193560

Here's the main part :

Here's my dilemma:

I did some research and found that the Lenovo T61p GPU (Quadro 570M) performs better than the HP 8510's HD 2600m. (I couldn't find any side by side real life gaming comparisions betwwen the two, only have the benchmarks to go on).

Because Lenovo has a 16% off coupon til Dec 3rd (gone in two days), I was planning to go with the T61p but I heard that the LCD is dim and the viewing angles are bad. Is this the norm for T61ps or are these rare cases? It seems to me that the T61p and the 8510p are close in gaming performance but I'd def choose the 8510p if the Lenovos have crappy LCDs.

Another twist: Because Lenovo has that 16% deal, I can get a T7700 for the T61p rather than the T7300 (which the HP 8510p has). Also, I can get a 7200 rpm HDD on the T61p which is better than the 5400 rpm HDD on the 8510p. Seems to me this would be significant performance gap between the 2 laptops.

I'd love any advice or input from you guys, I've been lurking here for weeks and you guys are awesome! So much information and informed opinions, its great!

 

Usually I dont care about view angle or brightness.
My only issue is DEAD or STUCK pixels.
Now I have t42p which has Samsung LCD and it's pretty good.
No dead pixels,, little bit poor angle, little bit dark screen than others.
However I feel very comportable with little dark screen.
When I see very bright LCD, it makes my eye tired very easily.
It is my opinion.

 

I'd get the T61p - can not go wrong with the Lenovo's build quality. I have read of cases where the screen was perfectly fine, so I guess there is a bit of a lottery involved.

PS - Welcome, and thanks for that rep

 

No problem I'm 99% sure I'm getting the T61p, just going over the review to look at the pictures once again. I so wish I had one of these to test before I buy. >.<

 

If you want to see one before buying, you can try looking up the bookstores of your local universities. They might have a T61, not necessarily a T61p on display.

 

And the cool factor too, I think Thinkpad has always have the X Factor....

Be serious, I think you won't go wrong with either one, both are great laptops, so price comes next to consider.

 

Well, I ordered a T61p with a T7700, 100gb 7200rpm HDD, and 2 year warrenty. I'll let you all know how it goes once I get it. Thanks so much for all your input , I would been stuck twiddling my thumbs if I didn't come here

 

I think you chose the right laptop. I don't mind the screen. It is matte so it is even easier on your eyes compared to a glossy screen. Plus you get the more powerful GPU.
Tim

 

I know I am late to the party, but look more closely next time before you buy. The HP 8510w has the same GPU at the T61p. However, the 8510w is missing an ExpressCard slot so I think you still got the better machine.

 

The 8510w starting price was $2000+, I only had $1600 max to work with XD.

 

I had the same dilemma for a while, but I inevitably went with the T61p. My reasons were mostly financial. The T61p can be had for a considerabley less amount of money in the USA for a similar spec'd out machine.

Aside from that, they are pretty much the same. Here are my opinions on the actual side by side comparisons.

Overall Build Quality = Lenovo wins slightly
Slimness/weight = HP slightly wins
power = equal (if they are evenly spec'd)
price/performance = Lenovo wins by a wide margin

Hp has HDMI, lenovo does not
Lenovo has expresscard slot, HP does not

As for LCD, I enjoy my WSXGA+ screen. There are no dead pixels, and the brightness is not too bad. I have definitely seen worse. But again, for a matte screen on a business machine, its definitely reasonable. That said, I must point out that if you expect the brightness to be that of say a glossy dell inspiron/xps, or macbook, you will definitely be dissapointed.

As far as the HP is concerned, I have not done a side by side comparison, but I have seen an HP class notebook in the stores and can say that the brightness is probably on par with the lenovo. So atleast with these 2 notebooks I dont really think the LCD screen should be the determining factor as they are pretty similar.

On a side note, I really enjoy my T61p. The performance is great, the build is great, the LCD works for me. For the price I paid, I know I made a very smart buy, and am very happy with the machine. Honestly as of now, besides wanting the brightness to be just a tad brighter, my only other minor complaint would be how the plastic molding on the laptop blemishes quite easily.

Enjoy your laptop, I think you made the right decision between the 2, I know I did.

 

I think the main problem so many individuals have with the T61 screens are comparing to their previous T4x series LCD's. My T61p screen is not near as satisfying to my eyes as even my old T40p which has much better viewing angles and better contrast. However, with the IWS screens gone there really is not much choice anymore among any of the brands except maybe the Apple line whose laptop screens do seem to be better (not an option for me). However, my T61p 14.1 " screen is tolerable and the rest of the laptop really has a lot going for it regarding build quality, keyboard and other features. I would buy the same product again. As we get farther away from the incredible IWS Flexview screens, I feel it will become easier for many of us to accept the current lower quality laptop LCD's as our memory fades

 

If you're getting WSXGA+, chances are you'll get the same screen no matter what machine you buy. So screen issues shouldn't really affect your choice

The only thing that really is a deal breaker is the price, as people have said. In the USA the T61p is dirt cheap and about the same price as the 8510p, so it's the winner there.

Unfortunately in Canada the T61p is just stupid expensive and it's not even really worth buying, so most people up here just get the 8510p/w.