newbie conscerns

hi
by your advice (from what notebook should i buy forum) i started looking into thinkpads for my first, all-purpose, multitasking, will-live-forever notebook.
but i have a few queries and conscerns:

- do all thinkpads come with santa rosa platforms? i've read that in over half the cases, it ends-up emitting wheezy or waves-crashing noises...
should i wory about this, can i do anything about this?


i'm opting for the R61i 120gb, 15'' screen... i aint a gamer unless you consider tetris a game, and my main requierments would involve multitasking speed, heat/noise control and low energy consumption in a well-built and sturdy piece.
i also would upgrade to a good screen if it were possible (i hear thinkpads have sub-par screens...), but i guess you gotta gamble on who actually made the screen (sony or other...)

anyway, i wanted some last minut thoughts as to these criteria...
n.

 

I'd skip the R61i 15.4" because it's not really built like the other ThinkPads. The case material, options, and build quality are quite different from the rest of the line and makes it a different animal (on paper at least). Maybe someone who actually owns this one can weigh in.

The 14" R61 is comparable to the 14" T61 in material and build quality. The 15.4" R61 is not comparable to the 15.4" T61....if that made sense.

 

I have not had any problems with my Santa Rosa CPU...and I haven't heard of any other Lenovo owners with this problem either. As for the screen I don't think it will be a problem for you. Some people prefer a glossy screen, but I kind of like the matte screen. It is easier on the eyes. It would be nice if the screen was a little brighter, but you will get used to it.
Tim

 

ok, thanks.
tim - actually i rather the matte screens: as you said, easier on the eyes and less reflexion, which is a prob at school...
icky- what do you mean by not the same built? on all the r-series or just the r61i? i've read something like this somewhere (way too much research into goes this), but was never really corroborated... what model would you suggest in the 900-1200$ margin?
cheers
n.

 

I've found

Lenovo ThinkPad R61 Laptop Computer Notebook -Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 1.80GHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB HDD, DVDRW, 15.4" TFT, Intel GMA X3100, Modem, 1GB Ethernet, 3945abg wireless, Windows XP Professional!!!!!!!!- 8934A7U

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...83218&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=15889

on buy.com for 960$. what do you think?
(if i sound in need of reassurance its b/c i really know jack **** about this, so my minimal knowledge causes me to have way more questions than answers...)
n.

 

I'd consider looking at a T61 off of Lenovo's student discount part of their site. Unless you can get a great price on a R61, I'd go for a T61. I'm not saying the R series isn't any good, but when they are close in price then its best to have the thinner and lighter notebook.

I also believe that the 15.4 inch R61 is missing the rollcage behind the LCD screen, where the 14.1 inch version has it. </ponders at Lenovo's logic.>

 

I don't mean to dissuade you from the 15.4" R, but information on the difference between the models isn't too clear. Like Talic said, only the 15.4 R61 doesn't have extra reinforcement (roll cage) in the lid. Only the 15.4" R61 is made with different plastic than the 14" R61 and the entire T series. Look at the chart to see the standard options available on the 14 vs 15.4 here: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=52A252555D554F338EB4B3178B3B6554

 

I would take advantage of the t-series build quality. you can get a VERY well built system hovering around the grand mark especially taking advantage of that CPP email discount program going on now. I believe theres a thread on the main page about it. I configured a system that saved me about $500+ using that contractor deal, been using my system for about a week now.

 

The 15.4" R series lack the roll cage in the lid.

Most current Thinkpads come with the Santa Rosa platform. The whine you've been hearing about is not limited to the Thinkpads, it's a sound seemingly emitted by the processor itself.

The only time I would go with an R-series is if it was a 14" model. The 15" is just too thick.

For that price from buy.com, you could configure a similar T61 on Lenovo's website.

 

Nope...the 15.4 R61 lacks the cage in the lid - the 15.4 T61 has it.

 

Damn, I thought I read somewhere that it didn't. My bad.

 

ok, thanks guys.
i think this all pretty much does it and i'm seriously thinking of investing into a t61, esp. if its a bit lighter...
the one thing that still bothers me is the reputed low quality of the panel.
i don't mind vertical angle issues, as you just have to position the screen right (right?), but i get headaches easily, and i'll be spending much time infront of the thing...
so, what can i do, should i consider other manifacturers? (don't really want to - lenovo has, btw, a relatively good standing for a tech company with green groups, which is a serious issue for me...)
OR
think about getting an external monitor for home use...
thanx again, we're almost there...
n.

 

You have to also keep in mind that this forum mostly consists of people who has problems with their system. It's like a car auto repair, the people who are content with their system don't stop on by but the ones that do have issues, come here for help.

Personally, I love my T61, I couldn't be happier at all. And apparently I have the worst hardwares too (Samsung screen and Chicony keyboard) and let me tell you something, don't believe the hype, these items are top quality and ThinkPads are excellent systems, I really have no problems with the material, panel, screws, etc. It's all good.

 

o-k MAN
i think we got ourselves a deal.
i've been running around this for too long.
thanx everybody
n.