Thinkpads Forum

Hello all,

I recently ordered a Thinkpad t60p, but after doing a bit more research, I'm considering changing my order... any opinions on the matter would be greatly appreciated. I'm not too technologically competent, and pretty much all I know about notebooks comes from reading these and other forums.

I'm trying to decide between the t60, t60p, and the new t61. The specs for the three are pretty much the same (2.0 ghz processor, 2 gb ram, 100gb 7200rpm harddrive), save for the monitor and graphics card. Here are the differences and roughly how much the respective computers cost:

T60p: 14.1" SXGA+ TFT, ATI FireGLv5250 (~$2000)
T60: 15" SXGA+ TFT Flexview Display, ATI Mobility Radeon x1400 (~$1900)
T61: 14.1" WXGA+ TFT, nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (~$1600)

I'm planning on using the computer for programming, school related stuff (word, powerpoint, etc), and a moderate amount of gaming (CS:S, WoW). The only reason I'm considering the T60 is because I've heard a lot of good things about the Flexview screen. However, this will be my first laptop, so I don't know how noticeable it will be for me. Money isn't too much of an issue, but on the other hand I don't want to spend needlessly on upgrades that will be hardly noticeable. Please advise!

Hi

T60p for 2000$ and T61 for 1600$ there's 400$ in your pocket which you can spend on more memory,faster HDD.Unfortune noone knows about T61 quality I mean comparing Nvidia and ATI GPU , screens etc..but we know that you can use more memories in T61 than in T60 and you have latest processor.It's your choice.

Regards

T61 advantages:

(1) Newer processors can use faster RAM when it comes out.
(2) Roll cage technology for screen as well as planar board.
(3) Able to use Intel Turbo Memory for 20% increase in hard drive through put including faster VISTA booting.
(4) Media Card Reader or Smart Card reader.
(5) Firewire connection.

T60 advantages

(1) 15 inch Flexview 4:3 screen. (you might prefer 4:3 over 16:10)
(2) Longer battery life.

I prefer the IPS screen to the regular screen, but I'm going to opt for a WUXGA 15.4" wide screen on an new T61. I'm hoping such a computer will be offered by July. I think the T60 your looking at is first rate.

The Flexview is a lovely screen, but if it's your first laptop and you are on a student budget, I would probably tend toward the T61, especially as it will be lighter for you to carry around, and more rugged (thanks to the LCD roll cage).

But all three are great choices, it's just a question of matching their features to your personal priorities.

I think you should consider more about the Quadro NVS 140M.
It's hard to say whether it has higher performance than the X1400
and NV's mobile graphic card is always heater than ATI's..

Quadro on the T61s at the moment is easily better than the old X1400.

nomissa, if you plan on carrying the laptop a lot, the 15" T60 is bulky and almost 1 lb heavier than the other two. The T61 is newer, cheaper and slightly lighter than the 14.1" T60, so I think that's the best choice. However, as masterus said, the T61 is so new that we don't really know how good its quality is yet. Perhaps you should wait for about a month and see what the reviews say, and then decide.

If you will be carrying it around to class a lot, pianowizard is right - it's really nice to have a 14" just for portability. I'm saying this, however, having only seen the 4:3 14.1" and not the widescreen. Also, consider that the T61 may not get as good battery life as the T60 line -- something to consider especially if it means carrying around a spare battery.

If your Thinkpad will spend most of its life on a desk, then the 15" Flexview is the way to go, IMO.

Get the T61. for all of the reasons cited above, plus it has newer CPU/memory/chipset technology. And it's $400 less and lighter. Take the $400 and use it to buy another computer in 3 years (you'll want/need a new computer by then, trust me).

No reason to over-spend on your first notebook.

Aroc wrote:No reason to over-spend on your first notebook.

A simple but possibly the best advice for a student buying their first first laptop. No one gave me this advice when I bought my first laptop and I still regret the purchase (a $1,700 Dell Inspiron 8200). The $1,600 is still a bit on the steep side for a first-time buyer, but is at least better than the other two that the OP is considering.