T43 vs T61

[syrenab]

I have an opportunity to buy T43 or T61 at approc same price.
I currently have T$2 and T43.
Any suggestions which is better buy?
Bill

[Fixed_Rider]

I have a SATA moded T43p for my daughter with an SSD and it is a very capable machine, but I would give the nod to the T61 as it is a dual core cpu and no 2gb ram limitation will make relevant for a few more years.

Edit: this assumes running a form of Windows as the OS, with Linux you may stretch it a bit longer.

[Cigarguy]

T61 is much more capable.

[ajkula66]

You might just want to check of which variety the T61 in question is...

If it's equipped with nVidia graphics...it might be a time bomb.

Get the full 7-character model number as well as the production date from the bottom sticker, and let us know...

[robert213]

If it's (T61) equipped with nVidia graphics...it might be a time bomb.

Is the T43 immune from the Southbridge problems of other T4x machines?

[Neil]

@robert213 Not immune, but much less likely to happen.

@syrenab I would need to know the full seven character TYPE number for BOTH machines before I could begin to tell you which I would prefer to use. I currently own machines of both types.

[syrenab]

These are the models I am considering
T61 - 2008GEU
T60 - 200757U
t43 - 2687DDU
What are your recommendations?
Bill

[Neil]

BTW, none of those Type numbers are T61. There are two T60 and a T43:

ThinkPad T60 (2008-GEU)
T5600(1.83GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X1300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

ThinkPad T60 (2007-57U)
T2400(1.83GHz), 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HD, 15in 1024x768 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X1300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

ThinkPad T43 (2687-DDU) Modify Clear
P M 750, 512MB RAM, 60GB 5400rpm HDD, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X300, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

Of those three, I would probably choose the T43 just because I really like the FlexView screen, and don't really need the faster dual core CPU etc. of the T60 series. But if portability is important, then I might want to go for the first T60 because of it's smaller size. I really don't like the 15" XGA setup of the second T60, so that would be out for me. But, that's just my opinion and your needs and desires may be totally different from mine.

[pianowizard]

What are your recommendations?

The 15" T60 is very low-resolution, and you should get it only if you have poor vision.

The 15" T43 has the best screen quality but uses PATA hard drives and is slower than both T60's. Get it only if you use this as your primary computer and stare at its screen the whole day every day.

If neither of the above applies to you, get the 14" T60, which is the lightest and by far the fastest among the three. Also, since it already has 1GB of RAM, you may not need to upgrade it.

[syrenab]

Thanks to both of you for your candid opinions. I will review carefully before making up my mind.
I guess I forgot , the T61 is 2687DDU].
All the offered units come with 1 or 2 GB of RAM
Bill

[Neil]

the T61 is 2687DDU

That's the T43 Type number. None of the numbers you have are for a T61.

[syrenab]

Sorry about that, should be
7661-CTO
Bill

[ajkula66]

Sorry about that, should be
7661-CTO
Bill

You'd need a serial number and production date from the sticker on the bottom in order to decipher this machine's original specs properly.

It's a 14" widescreen T61, but that's pretty much all I can tell.

[TTY]

7661-CTO

The number 7661 denotes what Lenovo calls the "type". Among the T61 ThinkPads, that are listed in the Lenovo Personal Systems Reference (tabook 336) from March 2008, i have not seen any, that are of the same type, but have different graphics chip manufacturers. All T61 ThinkPads of type 7661, that are listed in tabook 336, have Intel GMA X3100. So i suppose that the T61, which you have been offered, also has Intel GMA X3100. In such case, the graphics chip wouldn't be an argument against buying the T61.

[pianowizard]

syrenab, if these machines are on Craigslist, I recommend you to give us links to these ads, so we can provide better feedback. You may also want to tell us why you aren't happy with your current T42 and T43. For example, if you find your T43 too slow, then it would make no sense to get another T43.

[syrenab]

Thanks to all who responded. I finally selected the T43p with 2.3Ghz Intel and 15" screen and it works perfectly and is fast enough for me.
Bill