Which Lenovo should I choose?

Hi Guys,

I’m going back to b-school and need some help deciding on a Lenovo. I’ve never purchased a laptop before.

As background, I’m also bringing a 2GB, 2 year-old Dell desktop with a 20” widescreen monitor and running XP. With that in mind, which of the following options would you choose?

I truly appreciate your help.

My options:

ThinkPad T61 Professional System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Storage: 250GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 14.1” Widescreen; WSXGA+ resolution
Graphics: nVidia Quadro NVS 140m 128MB w/up to 256MB TurboCache
A/V: Built-in Camera and Microphone
Weight: 5.3lbs
Price: $1499

ThinkPad T61 Professional System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Storage: 250GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 15.4” Widescreen; WSXGA+ resolution
Graphics: nVidia Quadro NVS 140m 128MB w/up to 256MB TurboCache
A/V: Built-in Microphone
Weight: 5.8lbs
Price: $1599

ThinkPad X61s Ultraportable System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.6GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Storage: 160GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 12.1” Ultralight; XGA resolution
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor
A/V: Built-in Microphone
Weight: 3.2lbs
Price: $1849

ThinkPad X300 Ultraportable System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo SL7100 1.2GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Storage: 64GB Solid State Drive
Display: 13.3” Widescreen; WXGA+ resolution
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor
A/V: Built-in Camera and Microphone
Weight: 3.32lbs
Price: $2599

 

it depends on what you like, I've recently switched from a T61 to a X61s and I'm content with my decision.

X61s pro's
- battery life
- size

T61 pro's
- had a wireless card with the "N"
- Had a optical cdrw/dvdrw drive
- great screen

Now I can always get a new wifi card and an external optical drive to compensate for the things missing on my x61s but I've spent way more money on the x61s already so if you're budget is limited get the T61 but if $$$ is not an issue I vote for the x61s and get it with the 8 cell battery, optical drive, abgn wifi card and fingerprint reader. But if you're getting the T61 get the 14.1" screen also, go with a 200GB 7200 RPM HD over the 250GB 5400 RPM HD on any one you choose.

Here's my thread when I asked people on what I should do:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265859&highlight=t61

 

First, I would wait a couple of weeks for the new models to be released. You should see a price drop on the current models as well as more options with the new machines.

Since you already have a desktop to do the heavy lifting I would suggest a portable machine to take with you to class. You're going to have your hands full carrying a backpack full of books so you'll want to keep the size and weight down. I would suggest an X61 or X300 if you decide to go with a current model. There isn't much of a difference between the X61 and X61s (X61 does allow a faster CPU to be config'd) unless you decide you want the ultralight screen in which case you'll need to buy the X61s. The screen really doesn't save much weight, but it is a bit brighter and IMHO is a better screen overall. The X300 is a very nice machine, and is more powerful than what it's specs would indicate. The X300 is a bit pricey and it's battery life is a bit poor in comparison to the X61. Given the price and bang for the buck I would lean towards the X61(s).

Now if you want to wait for the new models you'll probably have to wait a couple of months. The X200 looks like it will be a nice machine, but since it will have integrated video it is going to be delayed a couple of months due to issues at Intel. Given the choice between the X200 and the X61(s) I would go for the new model. It will have the latest CPU core and chipset so it will have a potentially longer lifespan than the existing models.

 

What is "b-school"? Also what do you see your uses for this machine? Do you plan on taking it to class everyday all day? If so then weight will be a consideration. What kind of classes are you taking? Remember that a more powerful GPU means less battery life. Why do you want Vista Ultimate? I think its not worth it. Make sure to order your machine with 1GB of Ram 1DIMM and order the rest from Newegg, much cheaper.

 

Thanks for the responses, guys.

"B-school" is business school. I'll be taking mostly finance, accounting, economics, etc.

I'm thinking that the laptop should be reasonably portable, but I don't know if I need an ultraportable. I'm not looking for a desktop replacement.

I hear you about Vista. I prefer XP, but I'm purchasing through my school's computer center, and I can't customize the configurations.

 

My main concern with the X300 is the solid state drive. Am I paying a stupid premium for that? I mean, money isn't a huge concern, but I certainly don't want to get ripped off.

If it helps, I expect to use this as my laptop for the next several years, while I plan to get a new desktop in two years. So, I guess I do need some staying power.

 

Is the X300 sufficiently better than the X61s?

 

If you're going to be working with spreadsheets, I think a T-series would be better suited for that.

If you're not gaming on your laptop, a 14" widescreen T-series would be good. At this point though, I'd probably wait for the new releases whenever that may be.

 

Better is subjective. It all depends on your needs. The WXGA+ screen is a big plus in my opinion, but whether that's worth $2k is a value judgment.

 

You certainly pay a premium for the SSD right now. Whether it's a rip-off is going to be subjective. Personally, I wouldn't pay it, though I really wish the X300 were available with a standard HDD. That would be my choice.

 

Have you considered what type or battery you will be using? The T 14.1" series have battery sticking out of the back for 6/7/9 cell batteries and I believe that the 15.4" model sticks out with a 9cell. If you are bring it to a few classes where you won't have an outlit, You should consider a bigger battery.

 

X300.

I've replaced our T61, 3*T60 & T43 with X300.

Best thing I ever did.

X300 is the best notebook I've had and I've been using portable computers since 1985.

 

B-school students carry their laptops to school everyday. So the portability is the most important. X200/X61, or X300 wins over T400/T61 on portability.

The CPU doesn't need to be very fast for writing papers and crunching balance sheets.

If you have a lot of files and prefer to consolidate all of them into one hard drive, then X200/X61 wins because it comes with a regular hard disk, up to 320GB. Otherwise, X300's small 64GB SSD hard drive might serve you well.

I recommend X200 over X61 because it has 1280x800 vs 1024x768, and X200 has a built-in webcam, which is handy for Skype video calls.

You might want a X200/X61 tablet. The tablet is not necessary, but it is great for taking notes in class that involves diagrams, as well as brainstorming. It has another small vanity benefit: similar to iPhone, having a tablet makes you look cool in class, because most people don't have one.

X200 is scheduled to be released on July 14th. So you might be able to get your hands on one around August 14th if you are lucky, factoring in Lenovo's notorious shipping speed.

 

For every "horror" story of people getting their laptops in a month, there are many more people who receive their laptop in about a week. I wouldn't expect a newly released laptop to be shipping out in high numbers though.

I like the X300, but not at that price. You could purchase about 3.5 T61 14" laptops for the same price as one X300.