Finding the perfect ThinkPad

[Growly]

Guys, I'm losing it.

I posted about one or two months ago asking for advice on whether I should wait for Santa Rosa - which most people said I should, if I could. The other wisdom was to buy what I could when I could, which is starting to sound more and more an option...

[background]I've wanted a thinkpad since I was a wee lad - they always seemed to demand respect whenever someone opened the sleek black lid. Now I finally have an opportunity to buy one - but which one?[/background]

I know what I'd want to buy, for sure. Unfortunately, the particularities of Lenovo have meant that the exact configuration I want is not available here in New Zealand, and until today I was only able to find it on the U.S. site (which, strangely enough, I no longer can).

The main ingredients were

1. a C2D T7600
2. 15" SXGA+IPS (FlexView) display
3. FireGL V5250

Then I read about Santa Rosa, and it seemed silly to buy an NZD$4,500 laptop when an entirely new chipset would come out in less than half a year - and I know it doesn't add too many features, but 800MHz just seems to much bigger than 667 :S Realistically, I can't see it making much difference - but I felt I owed it to myself.

ANYWAY - now I've started University, and I'm screwed. I need a laptop. I need an IBM. I need a T60. For a while I went looking for second-hand T43s, but couldn't find any of acceptable specs at an acceptable price, anywhere. Garrrrrrr!!!!!! YARRRRRR!!!!!

I can find T60s configured with FlexViews, T7200s, and X1400s, or I can get a widescreen T7600 with the FireGL, or I can get a 14.1" lamo panel with the T7600 and FireGL.

None of the combinations are perfect, even less with the highest specced one either being too small (14.1") or too fat (15.4").

I NEED ADVICE!

Also, what major differences are there between the T60 and T60p that aren't obvious to the non-thinkpad-forum-trolling eye?

Thanks guys - appreciate it as always.

[Growly]

Ok, so the 15" displays are getting harder and harder to find. They don't feature at all in the T60p section of the latest tabook. Should I cry? Yes.

Should I buy it anyway? Probably.

Unless anyone has any really strong convictions against the 14.1" machines...

(I could do widescreen... but... well... ew really. It's just not thinkpad in my eyes.)

[Growly]

So I've just had another look - and they're not looking too heinous.

Now all I need is someone to make my mind up for me.

[Alltweed]

1) Try calling a lenovo rep. They may have a preconfigued unit or one not listed on website

2) Check with other resellers like Cost Central

3) If all this fails - You would not be dissappointed with 14.1 SXGA+.

[cxls]

You can still find T60s with FlexViews? Wow, I thought they were basically out of stock at this point.

[ibm meister]

This is a configured unit 15.4 wsxga+ with Fire GL v5250 on the employee website. Only one I have found with this config. You just have to worry about LG/Samsung issue. Outside of employee site, if you call a rep you will get about 10% off web price bringing below $2k WS is slim and LIGHT compared to FAT and HEAVY 15"

ThinkPad T60p (TopSeller Program)
8744J2U
Customize & buy
Your price
$1,679.20*
Web Price
$2,099.00*
Ships within 8-10 bus. days**
Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Genuine Windows Vista Business
2 GB
100 GB
Intel® Core 2 Duo T7200 2GHz
15.4"
1680x1050
256MB ATI Mobility FireGL V5250
5.71-6.19
UltraNav
Ultrabay Slim
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
None
Three years parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR
Fingerprint Reader Client Securtty Solution

[Hanson]

I would get the Flexview while it is still available. I have the impression that Lenovo is cutting costs where a majority of customers would not notice (e.g. warranty coverage reduced, high quality screens being discontinued, reduced return periods) in order to compete with other competitors in the retail market and turnaround their struggling North American market.

I would jump on one, but I have a T43 that is only a year and four months old with reliable components (NMB Keyboard, Boe-Hydis 14.1 SXGA+ LCD, Panasonic battery that has lost 0.08Wh in the past 6 months). I can't justify myself into buying another laptop so soon.

[pianowizard]

Unless anyone has any really strong convictions against the 14.1" machines...

Actually, I strongly recommend you to get a 14.1" machine. The other two sizes are way too heavy, unless you're planning to leave your laptop on your desk permanently.

[Growly]

Wow - thanks for the replies guys.

I've called the Lenovo reps, and they say that
a) they have nothing to do with Lenovo in North America and so can't advise about importing
b) they don't have any T60 configured as I wanted
c) they just don't care

Which is nice.

I had a 14.1" T23 a while ago (which died within a year - it was second hand when I got it, and I managed to burn it over two overseas trips in the duration), which wasn't a bad size... but I would've like VERY MUCH the 15".

Unfortunately, the only ones now configured with them are either a) scams or b) not as high spec'd. (Thanks for the heads up ibm meister - but once again I'd have to sacrifice over-the-top useless CPU performance figures.)

I've recently seen a T43 on sale, for about USD$980 (pretty good compared to what I've been seeing them for around here). If I can secure the warranty then that might be my best bet...

... otherwise I really doubt I'll be able to find a 15"er around now. Especially with how co-operative those reps are... "wait till the next model refresh to see if maybe it'll come out," they say, "I don't know when that will be," they say. I've also pretty much given up on waiting for Santa Rosa.

*sigh* [censored]. Thanks again guys.

(And you make a good point pianowizard - I have to scale a substantial hill on the way to university every day.)

[Hamid]

Do you really need the FireGL card? If you really like the 15" that much, maybe it would be worth taking a look at notebooks wth 15"IPS / SXGA+ / X1400 configs.

Hamid

[Growly]

Well, I suppose I don't need the FireGL... but then again I could argue I don't need the screen either... but then I want both, so there.

Grrrr.

[gator]

actually, a 14" t60p with a nice 22" widescreen and the advanced mini dock is a fantastic setup. I wish I had done that instead of getting the Core Duo 15" SXGA+ last august But I am very happy with my 15" thought it is tad heavy to carry everyday (which I don't). Think about a 14" too if you want a FireGl card - imho, the 14" is the mobile champion!

[Growly]

Well I just called Lenovo.

Basically it boiled down to:

"There's no way we can customise them [despite the fact they have a 15" chassis with the IPS screen], you can't order from outside Australasia, and if it's not listed there you can't buy it."

So it looks like I'll be getting the 14.1"er - hopefully I won't regret not getting Santa Rosa - and hopefully they don't reintroduce them in like 5 months, because then I'll be a very angry little man.

[seeplus]

I imagine you'll be happy with whichever model you choose. These are solid systems, about which you'll likely not have to worry for years (with an extended warranty.)

gator is right (about investing in an external LCD as well,) I went for the 15" sxga IPS, and I still attach it to my 23" Sony (using an advanced mini dock) whenever I can.