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Help me choose a ThinkPad :)

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:31 pm
by nothsa
Hi,

I've been browsing through the specs of various thinkpad models (mainly Z and T series) and can't find one with everything I'm looking for. I was initially very excited by the T60/T60p until I found out that it had no S-Video out and no card reader. While I will barely ever use those 2 features, I'm sure I'll be very happy that I have them when the day comes that I need them.

Here's a list of what I would prefer:

14" / 14.1" display (to increase battery life)
Centrino Duo/Core Duo
FireGL (or another ATI solution)
S-Video out
Card reader (pref. with MS support)
WWAN (preferred, but not essential)
DVD Drive (cuts out the X-Series)


Can anyone tell me if any laptop would fulfill the list above, or which laptops come close. I want to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything.

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:55 pm
by BillMorrow
get the TABOOK.pdf here:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

it will have all the current thinkpad models..

as you say, it sucks that the T60 does not have an s-video out..
and a card reader..
but these are business laptops and i think the card reader is not a business need..
a PC card card reader will work just fine..

the S-video out is more something that they SHOULD have..

but again, a PC card would work for that, too..
for those times you need it..
and you can always get a mini-dock which will have, the S-video at least.. :)

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:02 pm
by nothsa
BillMorrow wrote:...and you can always get a mini-dock which will have, the S-video at least.. :)
Unfortunately not :(. I checked the T60 docks and they add a DVI-D port, but not and S-Video port.

Re: Help me choose a ThinkPad :)

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:08 pm
by jjesusfreak01
nothsa wrote:Hi,

I've been browsing through the specs of various thinkpad models (mainly Z and T series) and can't find one with everything I'm looking for. I was initially very excited by the T60/T60p until I found out that it had no S-Video out and no card reader. While I will barely ever use those 2 features, I'm sure I'll be very happy that I have them when the day comes that I need them.

Here's a list of what I would prefer:

14" / 14.1" display (to increase battery life)
Centrino Duo/Core Duo
FireGL (or another ATI solution)
S-Video out
Card reader (pref. with MS support)
WWAN (preferred, but not essential)
DVD Drive (cuts out the X-Series)


Can anyone tell me if any laptop would fulfill the list above, or which laptops come close. I want to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything.
The best Lenovo Thinkpad to fit your needs would be a Z61. The upside is that the better models come with card readers (MS included) and an SVideo port. They also have ATI cards, the P model has a FireGL 5200. Unfortunately, you will be stuck with a 15in screen if you go for one of the models with the graphics cards. That said, Thinkpads have really great battery life no matter what.

Re: Help me choose a ThinkPad :)

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:25 pm
by nothsa
jjesusfreak01 wrote:That said, Thinkpads have really great battery life no matter what.
I was hoping to get 4 hours at least. Does anyone with Z61 (15" screen) experience have a rough idea of the battery life with the 6- and/or 9-cell options?

Re: Help me choose a ThinkPad :)

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:34 pm
by dsigma6
nothsa wrote:Does anyone with Z61 (15" screen) experience have a rough idea of the battery life with the 6- and/or 9-cell options?
You'll get a much better response if you post that model specific question in the Z Series area.