Need help in selecting a thinkpad to buy.

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Magic Wonder425 · #1 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:23 pm

Sorry, but this a slightly lengthy read.

I've been checking the Lenovo website but can't really understand what series I should be shooting for to purchase. I was thinking of either getting one from the R series or T series. I was told to get a flexview screen because it was well worth the money, but I didn't see that mentioned in any of the descriptions. Is it a custom option I have to request?

Also, I only see a select number of T-series models (60, 61, & Mobile Workstation), but is there something else I am able to choose from besides those? or am I restricted to those two choices?

Honestly, I don't know what would suit me best (that's why I'm here, lol). My main purpose for getting one is college, but that would only be a small fraction of its use. Other times I'd be downloading files, listening to music, surfing the web, or playing games.

I'm trying to make a good selection here since my desktop's been becoming worse every day. Does anyone have some information or suggestions that can help me out?

#2 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:41 pm

OK, first of all, Flexview is an IPS display, and as good a display panel as you can get on a notebook computer. Available in UXGA (1600x1200) and SXGA+ (1400x1050) resolutions on the T60 models, it is not (yet?) available on the T61. You can also get a similarly good quality on the X60 tablet -- the SXGA+ display there uses FFS technology, which is effectively the successor of IPS.

Your choice of model series really depends on your priorities: cost vs portability (weight, size) vs screen size/resolution vs performance.

The Lenovo direct pages allow you to do quite extensive customization to the base models, but delivery times will be much longer than for ordering preconfigured models through resellers.

If you order from Lenovo direct, be sure to take advantage of offers such as the Visa rebate (through http://www.visa.com/).

Magic Wonder425 · #3 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:38 pm

Ok, first, thank you for the quick reply.

Now you say the X60 Tablet uses the IPS successor technology of IPS (Flexview being the IPS display) and is a similarly good quality. I would assume it would be better if it follows after the IPS or am I wrong?

As for model series, I'm not bothered with carrying something of average size, as long as I can put it in my bookbag and go, it's good.

Cost-wise, 1500 I would hope to be my personal max including tax and warranty, but if it's 2000, I think I still would get it. Screen size, 15 inches is most preferrable, but performance is my major focal point when I purchase one. I can tolerate a small screen, but if it runs poorly, then I'd just be annoyed.

Thanks for the rebate too.

#4 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:47 pm

I haven't seen a direct comparison of FFS and IPS -- and the former is only available on the X61 tablet, whose 12.1" display I now recognize is too small for you.

If you want IPS, then, you should look for a T60 or T60p model, and those will have the display sizes you are looking for as well. Take a look at this thread, and you can pick up a T60p with a 15" UXGA IPS display for a very nice price:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=46324

Since it's a pre-built configuration, you can get it immediately. And if you are looking more performance, you can easily upgrade it to 2 or 3 GB, a Core 2 Duo CPU and/or a larger 7200 rpm disk (it already comes with a 100 GB 7200 rpm drive). And at $1669 (including a three-year warranty) it's a very nice deal.

Magic Wonder425 · #5 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:24 pm

That's a pretty sweet deal, is the T60p model just a more recent version of the T60 or is there something specific that separates the two?

#6 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:41 pm

The "p" denotes a high-performance model. In this case you can get the UXGA display (not available on the base T60) and the V5200 high-performance graphics processor.

Magic Wonder425 · #7 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:32 pm

Cool, thanks, you've been a lot of help. I don't think I have any other questions at the moment.

I've done customized models to see how much the total becomes.....it's a big chunk of cash.

Definitely considering the one you spoke about.

*EDIT: If the T60p is available and I go all out on some of the features, it rounds out to $2,600. The Visa rebate and their discount before the 30th takes off $500. That's the price assuming I get the full warranties.

Magic Wonder425 · #8 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:35 pm

How much would it cost adding a gig of RAM to a T60p?

They're not selling them anymore so if I get one from onsale.com, it's $1600. I'd just have to get more RAM and maybe Windows Vista.

#9 Post by **tomh009** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:50 pm

You can get a 2 GB module for not much over $100; that will max out your memory capacity on the T60p. The T60p at onsale.com also includes the three-year warranty.

Later on, once the prices drop, you can pop in a Core 2 Duo T7600 ...

Magic Wonder425 · #10 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:27 pm

Alright, thanks.

Magic Wonder425 · #11 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:35 pm

Alright, after much thinking and deciding, I think I'm going to buy this.

http://www.onsale.com/shop/detail~dpno~ ... ebook.aspx

I'd probably upgrade the RAM to 2GB and upgrade the processor as well. Before I order anything though, I have a few questions if someone can help me out.

- Does this have Flexview? I just want to make sure.
- It has a 3 year warranty, now is that service upgrades & protection services? I wasn't exactly sure when I looked at it.
- Now I probably know this answer, but does it come with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint? I was assuming no when I read it.

Might as well try for this since getting a regular T60 would be a very similar price. Also, I haven't heard so many hot things about Windows Vista so this already comes with XP which I'm very comfortable with.

#12 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:22 pm

Yes, that is the fabulous Flexview IPS display.

The warranty is just a warranty -- ThinkPad Protection is more like accident insurance, and this model does not include it. Nor is Microsoft Office included -- they would definitely mention it if it were.

Personally, I think you won't get a big difference for the relatively expensive CPU upgrade. I'd get the memory now, and then, in a year or so, if you are hungry for more performance, buy the then-inexpensive CPU for the T60p.

Magic Wonder425 · #13 Post by **Magic Wonder425** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:09 pm

Ah, well that sucks since it has no Thinkpad Protection. Thanks again, you've been a lot of help.

Need help in selecting a thinkpad to buy.

Need help in selecting a thinkpad to buy.

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