Which Thinkpad Should I get

[john1in2]

I am a longtime Thinkpad T series user, love the old school thinkpads.

I'm thinking of getting a newer model that is higher performance. I want to use Windows 7 64 bit OS and some video editing applications.

What thinkpad is for me? I was thinking T400, T500 (T410/T510?) or even the W series, but the T61 actually looks like it could do the job. And the R series has some good machines too.

Lots of choices- what would you recommend? I just need something for fill in video editing it will not be the main machine. I would like to get the cheapest model that I can get away with.

[underclocker]

It depends on the budget and screen size that you want. $400 and under, go with a T61, R61, R400 or R500 (look for a C2D in the R series). For $400-$700, go with a T400 or T500. Above $700 go with a T410, T500, T510 or W500.

The beauty of the T410 models is that the six cell battery is flush with the back of the laptop. Only the four cell batteries are flush with the T400 or T61. The 14" T61, T400 and T410 are nearly identical in size and weight - the first two with four cells, the T410 with a six cell.

I really like the T410i. It's a value-oriented T410 configuration, but still very fast and capable. Here is one on eBay with great spec's, including a webcam, for only $729 delivered - still under warranty --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0465527147

However, for the least expensive model, check out a 14" R61 or T61, sometimes complete machines appear on eBay in the $250 range.

Right now I'd say this R500 for $234 delivered is a great deal. It doesn't have an internal wifi adapter, but is wifi upgradeable (meaning the antennas are there). A wifi adapter is as little as $10 (the seller does include a PC Card N adapter). Also the machine is a Celeron 2.0 (actually very fast and 64-bit OS compatible) and only has 1GB of RAM ($15 for another 1GB). So for $259 you are very good to go, plus the machine is under warranty for another two years! Here's the link --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0473769766

[john1in2]

Thanks. I came across a local T61 for $400 so I bought it with Windows 7 64-bit. I upgraded the memory to 8 GB and its off to the races! Its actually very capable for video editing with Adobe CS5 and I am impressed overall. I got the more reliable version with the intel graphics board (less performance but lower power consumption and improved reliability).

In a few years I may upgrade to the T410/510 or W series. I like to stay a few years behind the curve just to save money. Plus these older machines are still very good.

In the meantime this computer is very nice. There is nothing like the T series, 10 years and counting (I think)...