computer novice- leaning towards getting a T60

i have a serious problem, in that due to internet message boards i have to search and do research for extended periods of time...and even after that i'm always hesitant in pulling the trigger with purchases. (plasma tv's are killing me too...)

So anyways, i was about to get a dell lat 830 but everyone told me to go with a thinkpad. I actually like the thinkpad design, and i love the sleek look of all black. Despite the T61 being the new and improved, i just can't take the off-center screen and the front headphone socket since it would be annoying with my speakers.

Couple questions if you don't mind- is there any significance in the numbers when trying to config different t60's? 6371CTO and 8743CTO come to mind.

How hard is it to change out the video card? Say i get the integrated or the 128 ATI, would it be possible to swap to a 256 on my own later? (assuming it doesn't void the warranty)

I've read up on people changing out the memory themselves. I was thinking of just getting the 512mb and popping in 2gb or maybe 4gb on my own (assuming it doesn't void the warranty)

My current laptop (inspiron 4000) has a resolution of 1024X768. I'm really accustomed to it, so would the display on the t60's wsxga+ by much smaller? I'm having a difficult time trying to gauge, though i guess maybe i should just go to a store and try to find one with the similar resolution.

T60: 15.4" 2ghz, 100g HD 7200rpm, dvd writer, vista ultimate is about what i'm looking to get.

I appreciate any advice in advance.

 

1.) Please post the actual specs, or a link to the specs rather than just numbers.
2.) Buy the GPU you want; switching later is impossible. See the GPU guide for more information.
3.) Really easy: slots are under the touchpad. Memory will not void the warranty (though 4GB is overkill; go with 2x1GB)
4.) So you're looking at 15.4 Widescreen T60s, eh? I would agree with the idea of going to a store to check out what they offer. Some Office Depots carry Thinkpads.
5.) I have a 14.1" sxga+ t60 that I like ... if you have questions please post back.

 

Some specific parts could be different. Different screen manufacturer, different keyboard manufacturer, etc.

Pretty dang hard because it is impossible. Most laptops have video cards soldered on to the motherboard.

Doesn't void warranty. Enjoy yourself.

You will not regreat getting WXGA+ because the quality is just so much better. Imagine going from a standard TV to hi-def TV. You also get a lot more real estate (more desktop space).

 

I totally concur with Johnny's and Vespoli's responses to your questions. Personally, I went with Intel's integrated graphic option (X3100) because it satisfies my needs. It's a one-time choice because you can't upgrade to dedicated graphics later.

Going from 1024x768 to a higher resolution was worrisome to me as well (aging eyesight), but with a few minor adjustments you won't regret having the extra real estate.

Having worked with both Dell's Latitude Dxxx and IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads, I think you'll be happy with either one. Not perfect, but they stick out from the rest.

 

The T61 also comes with a 15.4 screen that isn't off centered. Just something to keep in mind if you want to wait for the T61p(discrete graphics) or if you don't mind the X3100 graphics(integrated graphics).

 

What do you mean?
Which one is not off centered?

 

14.1" T61 has an off centered screen, the 15.4 T61 doesn't.

 

Yeah, key differences between those two: 8734 is configurable with wsxga+ and ATI graphics; 6371 is wxga and integrated graphics only.

Wsxga+ on a 15.4" will be about 30% more dense ("smaller") than xga on your inspiron. My 15.4" is wsxga+, and I love it- but some users find things too small (like icons and certain unscalable text). Even wxga on a 15.4" will be a slight ~5% upgrade in this regard over xga on 14.1", and as much again over xga on a 15. Highly ymmv, check it out first. I like high resolution.

Ram, processor, hd, optical, all upgradable. Graphics, no.

And yeah the idea of the t 61's offset display bugged me too looking at pics of it- but once I got it, I found it's not even noticeable while actually using it. Though returned immediately for other reasons. Good choice w/t 60, imo only ymmv.









OT:

Rocky- since you're familiar, mind helping me nail down a few diffs among the latitudes here ? Latitudes not getting much attn now that everyone on the dell side of the forum is so caught up by the 1330.

 

You're wrong.
The 15.4" T61 is also off centered.

http://flickr.com/photos/9176928@N02/585334180/

 

Hmm.. I guess your right, after looking closer it does seem like its off centered. When I first looked at those pictures the angel made it look like the bezel had some plastic protruding out the front, so I assumed it was that making it look off centered.

But after blowing the pics up to full screen and look closer at them I guess I was wrong. The lighting conditions didn't help either, you have to look closely to tell.

It isn't as off centered as the 14.1 inch model but better pics and side by side pics would help.

 

Honestly, if this was say a Macbook Pro, I would be extremely annoyed by the asymmetrical screen. But with the ThinkPad as ug....err.... practical as it is, the weird-screen almost blends right in.

 

Yeah. Aside from not even noticing it when the display is on- even when I did notice it, kinda just reminded me of the Frogman (a watch), which is also asymmetrical.

Makes it more like an instrument or tool more than to be pretty, which is itself attractive to me. Form -> Function. My Frog is offset from the wrist side to provide more clearance agains that joint, like the t 61 is offset to provide space for the antenna.

 

From looking at my T60 WS, the screen is also off center. Not as much as it looks to be on the T61 14". Not sure if it's going to bother you or not, but I didn't even notice it was off center until everybody started complaining about the T61 being off center. If my memory serves me correct, my T41 may be off a little bit too. I'll look when I get to work. Personally, I wouldn't let the screen deter me from my either the T60 or T61.

Scott

 

Be careful with that advice... there are people who really like XGA and will be dislike another resolution.

It's a personal preference that also depends on what you do. For example, web pages are mostly designed for XGA, so someone who will be mostly be surfing could be happier with XGA. Some ppl hate the small text of SXGA+ or UXGA. Or dislike the relatively poor quality of the WXGA+ and WSXGA+ screens that lenovo has sourced lately. When we put them alongside the flexview screens at ibm for testing (and found the majority of WSXGA+ screens were defective in our lab), the flexview shamed the WXGA+ screens like HDTV blows away standard def tv.

 

I decided to hold off and wait because a lenovo rep had told me the a 15.4" T61 would be coming out middle of July with a graphics card and that the headphone/speaker jacks would be on the side. That took 2 out of the 3 problems out of the equation for me. In the meantime, surfing this forum has been great and i've found out about a ton of discounts. Once i figure out which resolution i want, I will order the new T61 instead.

 

It already is available on their site for ordering, although who knows whether it'll actually ship before christmas lol

 

i meant since making the thread, sorry.

I'm just having a tough time deciding if i want the 1680x1050 or the 1280X8xx.

 

ordered this tonight. Did the SPP, AMEX Tailormade, USXIBMTRIPLE code, and fat wallet. Quite a nice discount.


1
6459CTO ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty
7/18/2007** $1,613.10 $1,613.10
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate[12]
15.4 WXGA TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN[10]
6 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]

System Processor[1] Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)

Operating System[12] Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate

Operating System Language Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate US English

Display Panel 15.4 WXGA TFT

System graphics NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)

Total memory[8] 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)

Keyboards Keyboard US English

Pointing Device UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader

Hard Drive[4] 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Optical device[5] DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim

System expansion slots PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot

Card Reader 4 in 1 Media Card Reader

Wireless cards[10] Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

Wireless Personal Area Network ThinkPad Wireless USB Adapter

Battery[60] 6 cell Li-Ion Battery

Power cord Country Pack North America

Language Pack Language Pack US English


41C9334 3 Year Depot Upgrade with 3 Year ThinkPad Protection $237.15 $237.15





Subtotal: $ 1,769.59

Shipping and handling: $ 0.00

Estimated tax: $ 111.02

[USXIBMSPPTRIPLE] -$ 80.66

Savings: -$ 562.41

Estimated total: $ 1,880.61*

 

well, i'm already having more problems with Lenovo then my 6 year history with Dell.

My confirmation email this morning from lenovo:

Product Description Price Qty Total

SYS.6459CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM 1850.25 1 1850.25
Shipping & Handling: 0.00
Tax: 111.02
Total: 1,961.27
Payment method: AMEX ...1007

compared to the screen last night:

Subtotal: $ 1,769.59

Shipping and handling: $ 0.00

Estimated tax: $ 111.02

[USXIBMSPPTRIPLE] -$ 80.66

Savings: -$ 562.41

Estimated total: $ 1,880.61*

Basically, the check out discount code USXIBM didn't go through, and the customer rep is telling me i didn't put it in. I have to fax the print out from last night (assuming i didn't close out the window, which i hope i didn't)

 

Ok, so i've made 2 calls to customer service. Spoke with an Andre in the morning. Told me to fax him my print out from last night, which i still had up on my screen at lunch. I called back just now asking for Andre, and the rep i spoke is telling me that i didn't speak to Andre, and that i was working with Danielle. After I explained my story he told me that there are 2 Andre's so he couldn't help me, and that i should wait 24 hours for a response from the one who got my fax.

If the problem is not solved tomorrow, i'm simply canceling the order. I don't like dropping damn near 2 thousand dollars to have problems and get the ring around on the very first day.

 

what makes you think you still wont get it anyway, lol