Thinkpads Forum

I have a few questions before place the order( T60 1953EAU, 15.0 inch XGA (1024x768) TFT with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, 512 MB, 40 GB 5400 rpm, 6 Cell Li-Ion Battery, 3 years warranty), around $1300.

1. is that much cheaper to get the new 100GB 7200rpm from Newegg? and the same or better quality as from lenovo? the one from lenovo costs $180.

2. try to get 1GB memory from Newegg, also concern about the quality.

3. for 15.0 inch XGA (1024x768) TFT with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, is it good enough for programming?

4. any other deal recommend? I am asking for 15" display and updatable.

IMO the intel graphics sucks..

also, you might want at LEAST the 1050x1400 display..
for programming i would think that you want more realestate than less..
besides the 768x1024 is NOT an IPS (flexview) display..

i DO sell memory here, but whatever you get make sure you have a return right..

if the $$ are not much different, it is probably better the get the HDD from lenovo rather than elsewhere as you will get the mounting tray and lenovo/ibm warranty..
much superior than the hitachi warranty which can take weeks to turn a dead drive around and as with most anything these days, TIME is of the essense..

if it were me i would get the best graphics and display i could afford..

i personally use a T60p (2007-94U) and an X60s..

But the display problem is: I need 15", and there only has two choices:
15" XGA (1024x768), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) FlexView with IPS technology, 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400.

The first one is too low, and the second one is too high(also can't afford it)

One inch should not make the much difference. If you are at all able to go to 14.1" there is a sale on 512 ram, radeon X1300, 1.83 core duo, 1400x1050, and 80 g hard drive. That's what I ordered, an extra gig of ram is probably what I will do. But personally, I never play games on a laptop, so I think the graphics will be "good enough" for me as well. Its also just over 5 pounds.

As a programmer myself: more real estate the better. Either larger screen, or higher resolution. Ideally both.

Thanks for all the information. I also saw the labor day sale for 2623D6U, which has similar configuration.

Sadly Lenovo only has two choice for 15": 15" 1024X768, and 15" 1400X1050 with IPS, but IPS technology asks me to pay much more:(

15" 1400X1050 without IPS would be perfect for me.

Now I am comparing 2623D6U and 2613EAU and have another two questions:
1. 5400rpm may hold up task? I just saw that somewhere in the forum;
2. 64M ATI X1300, 128M ATI X1400, any big difference? (mostly for programming and computing, seldom for pleasure, such as DVD etc...)

IMHO, if you go for 1024x768 don't bother with the 15" model -- the 14.1" is very good at that resolution, less expensive and much more portable. If you go for a 15" model definitely go for the higher resolution otherwise you're wasting money. Note also that dual monitor support is built in in all models.
For programming and general business tasks, the Intel graphic adapter is more than adequate. For gaming it performs rather like what was state of the art for PCs about 3 years ago. Thinkpads are workhorses but definitely not high end gaming machines. It is also fine for general purpose image or video editing or DVD playback (note: no SVHS output on the T60). On my 14" 1953, the ideal viewing angle is rather narrow and brightness becomes uneven if you stray from ideal the angle, either up/down or sideways. But the screen is excellent at eliminating spurious reflections--I simply cannot work with one of those "cool" screens that act as headache-inducing mirrors.

I am a software developer as well. If you are like me, at least 80% of the time you are programming at one desk (either your home office desk, or your work desk). I think in this scenario, it is much better to buy a 14.1" SXGA model for the cases when you are NOT at your office programming. That screen is really good--I have not-so-great eyesight and it is still good enough for programming to me.

If you find the screen is too small, and/or you can scrape together $200 more, then get an 19" or 20" external monitor that you can use in your primary programming location. Another benefit is that, when you upgrade to your next system, your big monitor will still work with it.

I actually wish I would have picked up an X60+external monitor instead of the T60.

briansmith wrote:I am a software developer as well. If you are like me, at least 80% of the time you are programming at one desk (either your home office desk, or your work desk). I think in this scenario, it is much better to buy a 14.1" SXGA model for the cases when you are NOT at your office programming. That screen is really good--I have not-so-great eyesight and it is still good enough for programming to me.

If you find the screen is too small, and/or you can scrape together $200 more, then get an 19" or 20" external monitor that you can use in your primary programming location. Another benefit is that, when you upgrade to your next system, your big monitor will still work with it.

I actually wish I would have picked up an X60+external monitor instead of the T60.

Great advice. I have my T60 for almost a month, and i got the 14.1 " display. It would be a BIG mistake to go for the 15" since the resolution is much lower.

Try to do what brainsmith said: get a 14" T60 or X60 + nice external monitor. I'm thinking and saving up for a 20" viewsonic lcd.

BTW I'm also a programmer, think about your eyes before It's too late.

I moved to the USA 1.5 months ago and started using a 14" 1400x1050 T60 screen and my eyes are starting to feel tired (I used to have a 19" CRT monitor @ 1280x1024.

I cant say I regret getting a T60 but really consider a X60+external monitor + keyboard. The size of the X series is incredible!

Thanks for all the kind suggestions.

I will go for T60 2623D6U,1.83 Core Duo, 512M memory, HD 80G 5400 rpm, 14" screen, ATI X1300 (it's about $1300, looks like a great deal for me) + nice exterior display.

Now move to hunt for nice exterior display somewhere, another big task:).

new4lenovo wrote:But the display problem is: I need 15", and there only has two choices:
15" XGA (1024x768), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) FlexView with IPS technology, 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400.

The first one is too low, and the second one is too high(also can't afford it)

if you don't want to pay so much for IPS but you really want 15" then try R60 series.
it has:
15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) without the extra cost of IPS and you also get 128mb ATI, 2.0 ghz, 512 ram, 40gb hard drive for $1217.50 or something like that. and the difference in weight and width between 15" R60 and 15" T60 is not that much.

That's my same machine I ordered, after debating highly. The total in Texas came to $1407 I think (with tax, but free shipping, so just pertend you're paying shipping and you'll fell better). I'll try to post a review when I get it, probably a linux-on-laptops tutorial too.