Thinkpads Forum

Thanks for looking. My school is offering the following 2 setups (the only setups i would consider, others are a tablet, and macbooks) in the fall flyer.

I am trying to decide which to get, and if I decide on the T60p, I am guessing by all the news I should order ASAP.

T61,
Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM (2 x 1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 120 GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Dual Layer
Graphics: 128 MB NVIDIA NVS
Screen: 14.1” WXGA (1280x800)
Weight: 4.7 lb
Battery - 6 cell (~6 hrs new)
Integrated LCD Camera

T60p,
Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM (2 x 1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 160 GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Dual Layer
Graphics: 256 MB ATI Fire GL 5250
Screen: 15.4” WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
Weight: 6 lb
Battery - 6 cell (~5.5 hrs new)

IF I knew I could wait and get the T61 with a better screen, and possibly a 256mb video card (and retain the school discounts, just add some cash to the $1395), I think I would pick that one.

If not, think I like the T60p for the better screen resolution. The price includes a 3yr Thinkpad Protection warrenty also.

Any suggestions?

That's a tough call. Having only 1280x800 on a 14.1" screen is a waste, whereas the T60p (which does have an adequate screen) is massive and heavy. If you don't mind the weight, I would say go for the T60p, but if I were you, I would look elsewhere for a Thinkpad that suits my needs better.

Another thing. Lenovo.com has huge sales several times a year. During those sales, the prices can actually beat the prices you get through your school. And you would not be forced to choose from only two configurations.

BTW, it's interesting that the weight for the 14.1" T61 is stated as 4.7 lbs, lighter than Lenovo's figure, 5.0 lbs. I hope it really is 4.7 lbs.

The T60s won't disappear when the T61s come out. I was still ordering T43s about two months ago. Don't think that you have to rush your decision on that basis.

That said, the prices don't seem to get any better on the older models unless they have a targeted sale, usually just on a handful of models. In fact, the prices on T60s just went up about 8%, but most folks didn't notice because the change to CTO makes it more difficult to compare prices on the same model at different times.

-darren

In any case, I would rather get a regular 4:3 screen

I actually prefer widescreens, so lets not debate the FS vs WS thing, heh. But a 1280x800 resolution, I think would trive me nuts over time.

expecially consideirng I'm used to a 1950x1080 resolution when using my desktop. And wish I had more there.

did you say what the display resolution was on the T60p..??

FWIW, its really dumb, if you want the best display, to get a 1050x1680 vs a 1200x1600 flexview..

i put a HEX on lenovo for dropping that display..
(and not the hexadecimal type of hex, either )

lewtz wrote:expecially consideirng I'm used to a 1950x1080 resolution when using my desktop. And wish I had more there.

Then wait for the 14.1" 1680x1050 T61p to come out, and order one directly from Lenovo.com.

Yes, I agree with the others, you could just wait to order straight from Lenovo.

Just imagine what potential the T61 had - if it was slimmer, had less of an edge around the screen, and the screen was a WS flexview, the MBP would have ACUTE competition Shame this potential wasn't realised

lewtz wrote:Thanks for looking. My school is offering the following 2 setups (the only setups i would consider, others are a tablet, and macbooks) in the fall flyer.

I am trying to decide which to get, and if I decide on the T60p, I am guessing by all the news I should order ASAP.

T61, $1395
Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM (2 x 1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 120 GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Dual Layer
Graphics: 128 MB NVIDIA NVS
Screen: 14.1” WXGA (1280x800)
Weight: 4.7 lb
Battery - 6 cell (~6 hrs new)
Integrated LCD Camera

T60p, $1599
Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz
Memory: 2 GB RAM (2 x 1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 160 GB (5400 RPM)
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Dual Layer
Graphics: 256 MB ATI Fire GL 5250
Screen: 15.4” WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
Weight: 6 lb
Battery - 6 cell (~5.5 hrs new)

IF I knew I could wait and get the T61 with a better screen, and possibly a 256mb video card (and retain the school discounts, just add some cash to the $1395), I think I would pick that one.

If not, think I like the T60p for the better screen resolution. The price includes a 3yr Thinkpad Protection warrenty also.

Any suggestions?

thats a great price with the 3 year thinkpad protection warranty.

depends you care about bigger screen but heavier weight

Both universities I have attended had discounts with Lenovo/IBM. At least in my experience the prices really were not anything special. Maybe we just didn't have good contracts, I don't know.

My experience has been that during sales the Lenovo direct price is better then the the school's price. However, I will say that my experience been thus:

Lenovo.com will offer the same system for about $100 cheaper then going through the school. However, the warrenty through the school is three years while the 3 year warrenty through Lenovo could be $200 more.

Overall, I have never really had an issue with warrenties only a year long. My experience has been if a component is going to fail it will fail within that first year. So, normally I don't care about extended warrenties. Now if the warrenty on the school's system include accidental damage that is pretty good and something to consider.

Overall, I have purchased two laptops since I have been at grad school. One for my wife (T60p) and one for me (Z61p). We got a substantially better price on a sale at Lenovo.com (due to a bunch of upgrades) then we could have through the school.

1280x800 resolution is a piece of sh*t. Even old Thinkpad 600 has more pixels in screen. Where this world is going to?

bim wrote:1280x800 resolution is a piece of sh*t. Even old Thinkpad 600 has more pixels in screen. Where this world is going to?

It is just a matter of preference most people want WXGA, because it is the cheapest, and have no need for anything better. But, Lenovo does offer WSXGA+, and rumours are in the summer they will reintroduce WUXGA on their T series.

But, if you look around most manufacturers laptops come with XGA or WXGA -- you have to pay extra if you want something better.

bim wrote:1280x800 resolution is a piece of sh*t. Even old Thinkpad 600 has more pixels in screen.

1280x800 = 1,024,000
TP600's 1024x768 = 786,432

BTW: At the universities around here, the 3-year warranty that comes with the Academic models includes on-site service by a Lenovo technician stationed full-time at the school which is a step above the standard warranty.

-darren

dsalyers wrote:Both universities I have attended had discounts with Lenovo/IBM. At least in my experience the prices really were not anything special. Maybe we just didn't have good contracts, I don't know.

My experience has been that during sales the Lenovo direct price is better then the the school's price. However, I will say that my experience been thus:

Lenovo.com will offer the same system for about $100 cheaper then going through the school. However, the warrenty through the school is three years while the 3 year warrenty through Lenovo could be $200 more.

Overall, I have never really had an issue with warrenties only a year long. My experience has been if a component is going to fail it will fail within that first year. So, normally I don't care about extended warrenties. Now if the warrenty on the school's system include accidental damage that is pretty good and something to consider.

Overall, I have purchased two laptops since I have been at grad school. One for my wife (T60p) and one for me (Z61p). We got a substantially better price on a sale at Lenovo.com (due to a bunch of upgrades) then we could have through the school.

Can you tell us how you got this price?
I'm not seeing this price. When I configured it using the shareholder discount, the school discount was about 250 cheaper

Those prices are unbelievable, as is the battery time. T60p 6-cell battery w/5.5 hours?

Are you sure the offer is legit? Can't be too careful these days...

nandaiyo wrote:Those prices are unbelievable, as is the battery time. T60p 6-cell battery w/5.5 hours?

Are you sure the offer is legit? Can't be too careful these days...

It's through a school. Academic discounts are huge. My T42P was 33% off list.

If you start comparing prices and warranties at different schools, I'll shut the thread down. We've been down this road before with a lot of nyah-nyah-my-school-is-better which is one reason that EPP and student discount price discussions are not allowed in the forum.

nonny wrote:road before with a lot of nyah-nyah-my-school-is-better

She's not kidding.

Schools... such sweet memories... it's a shame I am already out of school...

furrycute wrote:Schools... such sweet memories... it's a shame I am already out of school...

yeap the biggest worries in school was about tests

pianowizard wrote:

bim wrote:1280x800 resolution is a piece of sh*t. Even old Thinkpad 600 has more pixels in screen.

1280x800 = 1,024,000
TP600's 1024x768 = 786,432

Ouch, that hurts. To the original question: Choose better display.

yeh please, lets no compare prices and such and get the thread shut.

On to other news though, I called Lenovo and they did tell me that more options for my school will come open mid-May. So guess I'm waiting till then to see whats up.

Whats wrong with comparing prices here? You cant buy them from these places, so its really just speculation. For example, my school charges about $2000 for the T60p listed there, which makes me jealous...

Of course, we have a 4yr warranty and 4 years of full insurance added into that price, not to mention free OS and Office upgrades for those 4 years. And I cannot forget, the onsite IBM center, or the very good resnet program we have here.

jjesusfreak01 wrote:Of course, we have a 4yr warranty and 4 years of full insurance added into that price, not to mention free OS and Office upgrades for those 4 years. And I cannot forget, the onsite IBM center, or the very good resnet program we have here.

Which is precisely the type of comparison that leads to arguments about which school offers the best deal and "why doesn't mine?".

James

Removed prices, hehe but in response, yeh my school has all the crap also. software,os, whatever upgrades and onsite repair. Our warrenty is only 3 yrs standard though. Guess they want it all to break our senior yr, and us buy a new one. [censored]. :p

Anyhow btw the two listed, which do you think is more powerful? The t60p?

jjesusfreak01 wrote:Of course, we have...

Arguing with the admins and then blatantly doing what we've asked you not to do is generally not the best path to follow...