t60p for $1900?

apparently as a student lenovo won't sell to me individually, but i can get the notebook through my school, but not the notebook i want.
in any case, i am able to get the following computer for $1900, but there are some things missing and im trying to decide whether or not they are that important.

im getting my masters in architecture so i need a computer that can multi-task 3D modeling programs, adobe, etc...so i would think the video card and HD speed would be important

what its missing:

the RAM, i want a gig...i know i can add it
the hard drive speed, ideally i'd like 80g 7200
the video card, is there a huge difference between the, 256MB ATI FireGL V5200 and the x1400 it comes with?

thanks everyone!

the computer:

2007-04U ThinkPad T60 - 15.0" SXGA+IPS - 2.0 GHz Core Duo
Your Price: $1979


Processor: Intel Core Duo T2500 2.0
Display: 15.0" SXGA+IPS TFT
Hard Drive: 100 GB (5400 rpm)
(Shock Mounted Hard Drive/Active Protection System)
Memory: 512 MB
Ethernet: Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet (Centrino)
Modem: Yes
Wireless Centrino a/b/g


Ports Three USB 2.0 / external DB-15 monitor/infrared; RJ-11 (modem)
RJ-45 (ethernet) / no keyboard, mouse, serial ports, parallel port,
1394 or S-video (use USB).


Video graphics ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 M54 / PCI Express x16 / 128MB


Secure Chip Yes


Fingerprint Reader Yes


Optical Drive DVD-ROM/CDRW - 24X/24X/24X/8X21 speed/removable
from Ultrabay Slim Combo Drive


LiIon Battery 6 cell (up to 6 hours)


OS Preloaded Wndows XP Pro


Weight Approx 6.3 lbs


Warranty 3-yr Depot

 

You can probably find a T60 for less that meets your needs better.

 

I'm not sure if I have the competence to give advices, neither on models nor prices, (I live in Norway, PCs tend to have different model numbers and obviously prices) but in general I will say that you seem to be colse to a computer that will work very well for you as a master student and also after you have your degree.

According to what I have read ( reviews, threads etc) :

The fire GL card is optimized for the use you describe, and would be a better choice than x1400

A 5400 serial ata HD is more often than not faster than a 7200 rpm IDE HD
(claimed by IT consulents at work)
A gig of Ram will most likely correspond better to a demanding graphic card and multi- tasking
The price would probably be higher, but I think you should consider spending it, maybe not for this year, but for later use
best regards
h

 

The 7200 rpm in the T60 is a sata. Make sure you get 1 GB in 2x512 configuration, this means you have to buy a second 512 in addition, because you cannot get the T60 w/ x1400 configured from Lenovo with 2x512 (at least last time I checked). x1400 is a good card and the T60 can be had a bit cheaper than the T60p, so it's up to you. 14.1" T60 is a bit cheaper also. I really don't know the actual performance difference between the FireGL and x1400, but workstation graphics cards always sell for more than consumer graphics cards, even when they start with the same core (not saying FireGL is the same as x1400 core).

 

thanks for the posts guys, i appreciate it.

can someone perhaps explain the difference in HD's for me...im a little new to the game. not sure how the 5400 could be faster than the 7200 and what does sata mean?

thanks again!!

 

Who said a 5400 HDD was faster than a 7200?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATA

 

this guy...not saying its right or wrong, just trying to decipher it all. sata faster than ide...get it

 

It is often cheaper to buy the crappiest HD/RAM from the distributor and replace it with the HD/RAM you really want from newegg especially as the desired quality of the components goes up.

 

i don't think im tech savy enough to replace that stuff myself, but if i had someone do that for me, would that void the warranty from lenovo?

 

It will not void the warranty. Hard drive is considered user upgradeable.

 

BTW if you know any college students ask them to check if they can get you one via education discount.....my school offers a 14.1" T60P for about $1973 (shame my budget is less then that) loaded to all hell.

Also my opinion is that if you are tech savvy enough to drive a car and use legos you are tech savvy to replace a notebook hdd unless it is a poorly designed notebook. Honestly if I were you i'd break out a screw driver, take out your current HDD, put it back in, and see how easy it is. Personally I think it is as absurd as paying someone to pump your gas or put air in your tires.