Question regaring the performance of T60

[ronli_84]

Hi everyone,

I am considering to buy a T43 right now. However, seeing how the T60s are coming out at a rapid pace, I am wondering how much performance difference are there going to be?

Since I am planning to install Vista onto this system after it comes out, is it still a good buy to go for a T43, or wait for a T60

How much performance difference (in terms of mild gaming and vista readiness) will there be if I can only afford:

T43 Pentium M 750 1.86Ghz, with x300 64MB
T60 Core Duo T2300 1.66ghz, with x1300 64MB


Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[christopher_wolf]

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

Well; what are you going to be running on it? If it is Vista and various Office applications, then (unless you are doing some huge number crunching in Excel or a Database) you aren't going to notice much of a difference; a Memory upgrade to maximum might even level out the performance. However, the T60s just came out...So you might want to think about getting one of those after the price has come down a tad, maybe later on in the year; remember, though, the Intel will release the Merom platform later on and I am pretty sure IBM/Lenovo is planning on making a Thinkpad including that as well. So it comes down to; 1.) How long do you want to wait? and; 2.) What will you be doing on the Thinkpad and how will those applications benefit from a T60 versus a T43 per unit cost?

[ronli_84]

Heh, I have always been viewing the thinkpad forum regularly. Though I haven't registered until now.

My usage for the laptop will include:

frequent tasks: word processing, browsing websites, watching movies, doing programming assignments
rare tasks: doing moderate gaming

I don't really have an immediate need for a laptop yet, as I have a desktop that can do all the above jobs. However, as moving back and forth from my residence, I am looking for more mobility on my computer system.

As stated by some posts that I saw before, it seems like waiting for a new technology to emerge is a never-ending task. So I just want to know how long do you think that the T43 can stand doing the above tasks for at least the upcoming two years. Will it be sufficient once Vista comes out?

Also, the Merom platform has always confused me, can Merom CPUs use the same platform as the Yonah? (ie can I upgrade a T60 with a Merom CPU once it comes out?)

Again, thanks for your help and suggestion.

[christopher_wolf]

I think the T43 can hold out on doing this things for quite a few years to come, there is only so much you can do to something like Word until it actually becomes ridiculous in terms of resource usage; so I don't think Office 12 would be much of a burden at all; certainly not the latest version of Office. You might get more out of Vista itself on the T60; as to how much more you would want to get out of Vista depends on how useful you will find the little features. Moderate to heavier gaming can be done on the T43 quite well, as I have tried it and found it fast, easy, and efficient.

With regards to the Merom; I don't know. Intel may decide to do another socket change and that quickly renders a Merom upgrade to a Yonah socket near to totally impossible; since I have my T43, I am waiting to see what can be offered on the, possibly T61, Thinkpads with the Merom chipset. Although I must admit, the T60p is *very* tempting.

[ronli_84]

Thanks for the advice.

May I ask when did you buy your T43?

I am currently living in Canada now and I have an EPP code from one of my friend.

I just want to know if the following spec is a good deal:

ThinkPad T43 (DGU)

Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86 Hz)
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition
• 60GB Hard drive (7200 RPM)
• 512MB memory
• CD/DVD Burner(DVD+/-RW)
• x300 64mb
• 14.1" SXGA+ TFT (1400 x 1050)
• Gigabit Ethernet & Modem
• Wireless 802.11 b/g
• 1-Year International Warranty

Receive an extra Battery, extra AC/Adapter, and Leather Carrying Case

For $1699 Canada, for $60 more and without the gifts above, I can get a 3 year warranty.

And also, do you think I can get a similar spec T60 (mainly the screen SXGA and discrete graphics) for a similar price?

Thanks for the reply again.

[christopher_wolf]

I bought my, wonderful, T43 in the late summer of 2005; it was a good deal for me as well.

That looks like a pretty good deal for that T43 in Canada; I already had most of the other IBM Thinkpad accessories, so I would go for the 3 year warranty in this case. Those little "gifts" though are mighty tempting.

[abvc]

if the new t60 doesnt look as gay as today, i'd recommend it straight away. best way is to order both, and compare.

[leif]

frequent tasks: word processing, browsing websites, watching movies, doing programming assignments
rare tasks: doing moderate gaming

In your situation, if you have the time to wait for the T60 coming out, I recommend that you should wait for someone's review about the T60 and then decide to the right one to you.

T60 is coming out. And this won't take you much time to wait. If I were you, I will wait for it.[/b]

[Aroc]

For maximum Vista lovin', you'll want a Merom platform based unit (looking like a T61 or T61p at this point). If you got the money for a T60p, so for that. Otherwise they might be similar. Given the price premium for a T60 right now, maybe get a T42 ot T43, then upgrade to a Merom based unit when those come out? Those T61s will probably have even better video. Although if you do get a T42 or T43 (with 9600 or x300 graphics) make sure you get a smoking deal on it. You might as well if you are buying older tech.

Microsoft has suggested the X300 64MB in the T43 will be able to run the Aero Glass interface. But not that I will. I don't even run the Luna interface in XP. I always turn off the eye candy and effects. I was never much for them anyway. The speed increase is just a bonus.

I, too, will get a copy of Vista at launch. It will go on my T43.

[Troels]

Technically both the older generation (X300, 9600, 9700, X600) and the new X1x00 series will be outdated when DX10 will be out, i.e. the difference is the speed. Personally i think it is about getting a little late jumping onto the already large DX9 band wagon, and that Ati & nVidia are currently milking the cows with more speed.

Ronli,
The frequent tasks you do will not require a fast GPU - i.e. no difference between a T4X and T60(p). What games exactly do you play? The X300 generation will still handle many of today's games fine.
Do you multi-task a lot?

[WilsonF]

I've tried Vista on a T42 with the high-end Radeon and a T43 with the X300. Both run Vista fine. Although I haven't compared battery life, my guess is that the Vista Aero Glass UI will put some extra power demand on the display adapter, but I don't know how much that may reduce battery life.