T61p - where to now?

[wilsodg]

My trusted T61P has done me well (and still does). 8gb ram, 1tb SSD, Middleton bios, Nvidia 570m graphics (still working), 2.55mhz, replaced screen once and keyboard several times. It's on 24x7 and has been for almost 7 years now. I travel the world, have spare batteries (run with second in the ultrabay). 48gb expresscard for incremental backup (automated each night) and clone disk every month (to ultrabay). A true road warrior. win 7x64 runs fine. Over the years I had hard drives fail, but just plug in the last one, recover to previous evening and off we go. But nothing lasts forever, so I keep looking for an alternative. I do a lot of spreadsheet work so the 1920x1200 screen is a godsend. I'm a trackpoint person - just hate trackpads. Where to go now? I looked at the 440 recently and just hated the buttons, also the relatively low res screen. Maybe a 450 when it's available but not sure .. does it have an ultrabay? What about other 'internal' storage for incremental daylies? My concern is that although I have no real need to change the T61p, I struggling to identify what I could use if it catastrophically fails some time. The 550 looks to be larger and less functional. Surely in the last 7 years someone has come out with something better? Suggestions please!

[Khipata]

W520 hands down! You would not regret
If you want cheaper but excellent alternative, T500 with ATI graphics. I am typing on it right now. And you can buy used one with broken screen and put your existing USXGA in it, direct replacement. And on top of that, you can use docks too, same connector. And keyboards are interchangeable as well
Just my 2 cents

[brchan]

A T520/W520 should be a big performance upgrade to your existing T61p, and will offer a better display, assuming you go with the FHD display. I had an old T61p 15.4 model with the same 1900x1200 resolution display. The pixel density and ratio were great, but the colors and contrast, although good, were a bit dull and dark compared to the FHD displays.

[ajkula66]

I'd also suggest W520 as a T61p replacement. Make sure it's got a FHD screen, QC CPU and 4 RAM slots, that way you'll be future-proof for a few years.

[Khipata]

W520 is PERFECT, whereas I would avoid T520 due to the keyboard... Yes, it has better specs but T500 has way better keyboard and build quality is better, also it is significantly cheaper, especially if you will find working machine without screen or broken screen. I got one of my T500 for $60 (cracked screen) and bought USXGA for $30 (Thanks Ajkula66 for finding LCD panel for me), so for $90 I have excellent machine for every day use

[Sleepy664]

I've had a W520 for around a year now and it is almost perfect. The benefit-cost ratio can not be beaten I think.

It seems a little bit fragile in comparison with a Dell Percision or HP EliteBook but otherwise it holds up very well.

There was some annoying keyboard flex but it but it can be sorted out by slightly bending the keyboard so it presses against the rollcage. No serious issues yet.


Or if your T61p fails, get another one

[Qing Dao]

If your T61p fails, just buy a T500 motherboard to replace it. Selling the 2x4GB DDR2 would pay for the new motherboard and new 2x4GB DDR3.

[brchan]

Putting a T500 motherboard into a 15.4" T61 does not seem ideal: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=96893

The main issues are that although the motherboard PCB is very similar, the magnesium frame requires dremel work, and the port layout is different.

[ZaZ]

I looked at the 440 recently and just hated the buttons, also the relatively low res screen.

The T440p, which can had with a quad and FHD IPS LCD, and trackpoint mod might be worth a look.