Thinkpads Forum

I ordered a T60 earlier today (2007-63U) . Shortly after I found out I could get the 2007-68U with a 7200RPM HD for under $50 more.

Does anyone know what model HD the 5400 and 7200 is? Any idea on the performance difference? Do you think should cancel my existing order and order the 68U?

I ordered through an Ohio State Alumni page. If I decide to make the change what is the best way to go about doing so? I tried calling, but everything seems to be closed until Monday and I doubt I will be able to call on Monday.

Generically speaking , I just put a 7200 in my t30 that had a 5400, huge difference.

Get the 7,200 HD. It will be faster. For the difference in $ you will kick yourself if you don't make the change. At full retail there is only $80 difference. It will cost you at least $200 to make the change later.

As far as I know, these are the drives:

63U - Hitachi 5K100
68U - Hitachi 7K100

Go HERE to see the tested differences.

I just ordered a 200768U and can't wait to get it!

bg4533 wrote:Does anyone know what model HD the 5400 and 7200 is? Any idea on the performance difference? Do you think should cancel my existing order and order the 68U?

Hitachi (formerly IBM) TravelStar is the model (7k100 I think) for 7200 and I'm pretty sure it's the same for the 5400. Threre's definitely a connection for the two former IBM global divisions (IBM Global Storage Technologies, I think was bought by Hitachi several years back and then, last year, IBM Global PC by Lenovo).

Big performance difference. Do a good defrag with a 7200 and you'll REALLY appreciate the extra spindal speed (especially across 100GB).

If you just ordered, I would cancel and snag the factory 7200, dude...unless it'll add delay but I don't think it would.

Thanks for the responses. I am really blowing my budget on this laptop. I plan on throwing an extra 1GB of RAM in it too. I bought a Dell 6000 a few months ago and returned it because I didn't like it (quality was a big issue). I figured I wouldn't be happy unless I went all out. I guess I'll cancel and reorder the 2007-68U. Or maybe I should really splurge and get the 2007-86U

Definitely try to buy the best computer that you can afford.

Wanna save a ton of money, add the ram after you order it. Ram from IBM or really any maker is wicked expensive. Just order up some nice Crucial after you get it and save a couple hundred.

But the difference in spinning speed of the hard disc, doesn't this mean that the notebook will be noisier, the notebook will get hotter and the battery will not last that long?

I was trying to decide between 2007-63U and 2007-68U as well, but previously my choice fell on the 63U because of my above concerns.

AssPenny wrote:Wanna save a ton of money, add the ram after you order it. Ram from IBM or really any maker is wicked expensive. Just order up some nice Crucial after you get it and save a couple hundred.

Yeah, I had no intention of ordering RAM from IBM. ZipZoomFly has 1GB sticks of Corsair PC5300 for $99. Crucial seems to be going more for $170 or so. I have had a bit better experience with corsair in the past, so I think I will stick with them.

The 7200RPM will likely be a bit louder, hotter and use more power. This isn't as bad as you would think though. Modern 7200s aren't much worse than modern 5400s and are actaully better than some of the older 5400s. The Thinkpad can be ordered stock with a 7200, so they must not think a little extra heat is an issue. I have heard 7200RPM drives will make a few minute difference on battery life. You also might get your stuff done a little faster though too.

I emailed the acct rep listed on my order confirmation and he replied back. He said a packing slip has already been generated and my order can't be cancelled. If I want the 68U I can return the 63U when it arrives and order the 68U. This seems really quick. Does it mean my order will be shipping soon? Now the tricky question....Is it worth returning the 63U when I get it and reordering the 68U? Should I call up and try on the phone to cancel?

bg4533 wrote:I emailed the acct rep listed on my order confirmation and he replied back. He said a packing slip has already been generated and my order can't be cancelled. If I want the 68U I can return the 63U when it arrives and order the 68U. This seems really quick. Does it mean my order will be shipping soon? Now the tricky question....Is it worth returning the 63U when I get it and reordering the 68U? Should I call up and try on the phone to cancel?

Well...I originally stated that you should change if it's not going to delay your order. Personally, I would think this is a sign of it shipping (packing slip and all) and wouldn't look that gift horsey in the mouth.

I'd keep it for at least a couple of weeks and see if you keep thinking to yourself, "Man that HDD is sure kinda slow." or even "Man, I wish I had more screen resolution and could generate OpenGL objects quicker than I can" and send it back then.

You probably won't say those things and will probably be quite happy with your purchse, dude!

Good luck!

Well...I just received notification that the 2007-63U shipped. Thats quicker than I expected. I'll post some comments when it arrives.