Need some advice on a new purchase...

[TwoSteppin4140]

I'm about to be a proud new Thinkpad owner, however it's quite tough to pull the trigger when I have some lingering doubts, which hopefully y'all can cure!

Here's the config I've got:
ThinkPad T Series T60 Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty (2613CTO) $1,219.00

-Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
-Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
-14.1 SXGA+ TFT
-ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
-1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
-60GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
-CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
-ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe
-9 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
-Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty



I do want to upgrade to Vista within the next 6 or so months, and would like to use it at its fullest capacity. Additionally I will be using MS Office extensively as well as moderate Dreamweaver and Adobe CS use in addition to the usual iTunes/Firefox/E-Mail...

So, I guess what I'm wondering is this...is this a good config? My budget is pretty much capped at 1,200 - I'd like to go lower if I can. What changes (if any) should I make? Much, much thanks!

[ronan_zj]

get at least 3 years warranty.
In most case, laptop will not have any problem in a year.
For instance, i replaced my LCD screen about 1.5 years after purchase. and change a new keyboard 3 weeks ago.

[TwoSteppin4140]

get at least 3 years warranty.
In most case, laptop will not have any problem in a year.
For instance, i replaced my LCD screen about 1.5 years after purchase. and change a new keyboard 3 weeks ago.

As of now, that'd put me over my budget. However, I was told you can upgrade the warranty anytime within the first year - which is what I plan to do...after I graduate and have a job.

Are those replacements common? I thought Thinkpads were rock solid?

[christopher_wolf]

Those aren't common problems at all and some like to either order and pick which type of keyboard they want and, sometimes, niggling problems with the screen if any are present. Average lifespan for a Thinkpad with no issues out of the box is generally in excess of 3 years, so the warranty should cover you quite well if you upgrade, say, a year and a half later.

[TwoSteppin4140]

Those aren't common problems at all and some like to either order and pick which type of keyboard they want and, sometimes, niggling problems with the screen if any are present. Average lifespan for a Thinkpad with no issues out of the box is generally in excess of 3 years, so the warranty should cover you quite well if you upgrade, say, a year and a half later.

Awesome.

Another question...

For the "average" user (my needs above), which config will provide the best "bang for the buc" (all else being equal)...Because, the price on my current config won't actually change...

60 gig 5400 RPM HDD and 2.0GHz proc

OR

60 gig 7200 RPM HDD and 1.66GHz proc

[blynch]

I'd say the 2.0 ghz processor, since that model has 4MB L2 cache vs. 2mb L2 cache on the 1.66; thats twice the L2 cache which should be noticeable-the processor speed doesn't matter as much. Maybe the most cost effective path would be to get the 5400rpm hard drive and then later upgrade the hard drive after hybrid hard drives start coming out the first half of next year. Personally I'm am just getting the 40gb 5400rpm hard drive and replacing it with a $100 80gb 7200rpm hd from newegg. The 7200 should help considerably with boot time and hard drive intensive tasks.