Get a T61 or just stick with my T42P? Is this a good deal?

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muffd · #1 Post by **muffd** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:12 pm

As usual, I was scouring craigslist for deals on a Thinkpad and came across this: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/sys/749649873.html

LenovoT61.Core2Duo,80G7200SATA,1GDDR2,DVD/CDRW,15.4"WdScrn,WiFi. - $575

IBM Lenovo Thinkpad T61 Laptop. Intel 2.00 GHz Core 2 Duo CPU. 80 Gig 7200 RPM Hard Drive. 1 GB of DDR2-667MHz memory. 15.4” BrightView, non-glare WXGA Widescreen LCD. Has Combo CDRW/DVD player. 3-2.0 USB ports, 56K modem, Gigabyte Ethernet for broadband, 5 in 1 multimedia card reader. Has Intel 802.11A/B/G Pro WiFi built-in. This laptop was built for business and gaming and is fast! It has the 9 cell extended life battery that takes 100% charge. It is under Lenovo international warranty until 10/12/2010. Comes with 90 Watt charger.

Of course I don't care for all the stupid software this guy loads on it since I have my own. I do some minor photo editing, little video stuff here and there. Nothing hard core since I have a desktop for most major tasks.

Always, your input is much appreciated.

FYI, I currently have a 2374-Q76 with 2gb ram, 250gb hd and 15" UXGA screen.

#2 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:18 pm

Comments;

1) the screen resolution is much lower than your current T42p (and it's not FlexView)

2) 15.4" T6x's are huge and heavy, esp. with 9 cell batteries; this machine is not sleek at all

3) The price is too good to be true, so be careful, however, if it works out, you could flip it for a profit

4) The longer you wait, the more machine you'll get for your money. So, if your machine works for you now, it's not a good idea, IMHO

qviri · #3 Post by **qviri** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:20 pm

It seems pretty on par with the price, maybe a bit on the cheap side. Strong points are the CPU, 7200 rpm hard drive (though it's not faster than your 250 GB 5400 rpm), and the warranty. Weak points are the RAM (but ridiculously cheap to upgrade) and the optical drive. The screen resolution is a large departure from your UXGA. Notably absent from the specs are the graphics type -- assume the lowest specs.

muffd · #4 Post by **muffd** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:24 pm

Hi Underclocker,
Thanks for giving me that input. I have found two more deals that I am curious about.

IBM Thinkpad T60 2GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB, 100GB, CD-RW/DVDRW - $650

T2500(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 100GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

OR

Laptop IBM T60 series 2623DBU --This one I can probably get for $500
T2400(1.83GHz), 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 15in 1400x1050 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X1300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Thanks again

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:40 pm

muffd wrote: Laptop IBM T60 series 2623DBU --This one I can probably get for $500
T2400(1.83GHz), 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 15in 1400x1050 LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X1300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro

Thanks again

This one has a flexview LCD and would be closer to what you are used to. It would be my choice of the (2) machines. If you are looking for portability vs. a desktop replacement, then the first machine is the right choice.

#6 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:46 pm

I agree with Harry, grab the second one. In fact, my main rig is a T60 with very similar spec.'s.

Actually, at $500, you'd probably have a dozen or so forum members ready to take it if you don't.

P.S. 2GB of RAM for that machine will occasionally sell for $20 on eBay (1GB x 2 sticks).

muffd · #7 Post by **muffd** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:32 pm

Man, I really don't know which one to get. I just received emails from both parties. The first laptop is under warranty until May of next year while the second one had just expired. I'm not sure if this should really play a role in my decision making right now but I've got this thing for warranties right now. I've seen alot of issues and would like that insurance you get with an IBM warranty.

Two people now have both recommended the second laptop as their choice. I thought the first would be better since it seems it has a better video card. I'm not a big gamer but I just like to have the capabilities of better hardware. Maybe I'm not getting something here.

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:11 am

Yeah, the differences in the video card is negligible between the machines. What you are not getting is that the second machine has a MUCH better LCD. It would be like night and day if you had the two machines in front of you and you compared LCD's. Warranty is a personal choice.

Troels · #9 Post by **Troels** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:02 am

The GPU you have now is not much slower than the X1300. Due to this alone i'd rethink it again if it was me.
You'd also lose 64 MB of dedicated GPU memory.

About the T61 laptop. When the GPU isn't mentioned, other than it's built for gaming, which doesn't tell anything - you can be sure its the X3100 Intel integrated, which your current GPU and X1300 already trounces.

In my opinion, if you want to feel the upgrade to the greatest extent, go the T60p or T61p route, which both are significantly faster than what you have now.

I'm not really feeling the difference between a PM735 and T2500 to be honest, unless it comes to simulations. For gaming and everyday use, i could be tricked into believing that the PM735 was a T2500, unless of course the game heavily depends on two cores, which actually some do today.

muffd · #10 Post by **muffd** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:10 am

Hi again,
After reading more and more posts, I'm starting to think I shouldn't even get a newer Thinkpad and that my T42P is good enough for what I do. Guess I'll think this one throughout the day and figure out what is the best route to go. Worst case I guess is I'll have an extra Thinkpad my wife could possibly use.

leland · #11 Post by **leland** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:25 pm

I would go for the first one myself. Warranty is key, and I personally prefer the 14" size over the 15".

Then again, I'm sticking with my T42p until it finally dies. Personally I don't think you get much with the upgrade to the T6X, except a new toy. Then again there is some definite value in a new toy

Also, I'm not sure I would buy a used lappy. I'm personally quite particular, and unless the warranty is the uber one where you can get the thing retrofitted before expiry, I think it's a bit of a risk. Why not get a $500 junker -- at least that one will be brand new and have a guaranteed year warranty?

msidd · #12 Post by **msidd** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:04 am

What's wrong with the T42P? I think you have an excellent machine there and see no reason to upgrade. Many guys with T42/T43 run Vista on here so if that's an issue for you than it's not.

I would stick with the T42P.

Get a T61 or just stick with my T42P? Is this a good deal?

Get a T61 or just stick with my T42P? Is this a good deal?

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