Buying Advice: Computer for University

[RasmusP]

I hope it is alright to post it in this forum. The post mostely concern the T-series.

I will be getting a Thinkpad for September, when I start at the University. However, I am uncertain of which one to get. I am considering a T60p with Flexview, a 14" -- preferably 4:3 -- T60p/T61p or a X60s/61s.
I will be biking to school every day but I will have the computer in a backpack (probably a Crumbler). When I get to the university desk space is not a problem. I will be biking up to 5 km a day, depending on which part of the city we will be getting an apartment. I am hoping that I can leave most of the literature at the school on weekdays.
Another note: This will be my only computer. I do not want to go through the trouble of having a desktop. Thus, it needs to be able to do a bit of gaming -- at least Civilization IV. I have been wanting to play this game for ages but have never had a computer which could run the game. It must have dedicated graphic card. It must have a lot of space. In time I am hoping to have 2×100 GB. And it must stand the challenged of tomorrows computing -- I am hoping it will last me through university (five to six years). Following is my thoughts of each model:

T60p with Flexview:
I would really like to have this due to the screen, of course. These pictures and the fact that I can get a screen with the UXGA resolution makes me want to get this Thinkpad. The screen is a big factor to me as the computer will be my working instrument no. 1. I will be using it countless of hours, thus it must be a pleasant screen. Another plus is that is 4:3. I prefer this over widescreen.
On the other hand I am afraid that it is to big to carry around, or that it will not fit in a backpack. Since I will be biking, I need it all to fit nicely in a single back. I use a 15" Acer Travelmate at the moment, and I do not think it is that big. When I used it for school last year I though it was fine, but I also had a car at that time.

T60p/T61p 14":
This does seem like the sweet spot. It is smaller than the 15" IPS, and it got the Ultrabay that the X60 lacks. I think the Ultrabay slot is one of the most useful features of the Thinkpad. I will definitely be easier to carry around than the 15" Thinkpad, and hardware wise they can be identical.
Hopefully, resolution will get a bump up when the T61p lands. As I stated above, the screen is probably the most important part of the computer, and I really like this IPS screen. If a 14" IPS screen was around I would definitely be getting that one.


X60/X60:
I played around with one of these yesterday day, and it was quite fancy. After a while I even got used to the smaller keyboard. I would love to have the size of X60, but on the other hand I would have to give up a lot of the "extras" the T-series features. Mainly the ultrabay and the gaming capability. I would probably get a lot more work done, though
With the docking station I could get a lot of the features that the X-series otherwise lack. Also, to get a descent resolution I would probably need the tablet version.

I am mostly thorn between the 15" Thinkpad with great screen, and the smaller 14" Thinkpad. My heart tells me to get the 15" IPS model but logic tells that the 14" would be more practical. I also like relatively small computers. I am torn!
If money was not an issue I would get the 15" T60 and an X60, but I do not have that kind of money.

Does any of you have experience or comments? I would really appreciate some inputs.

Thanks for reading this. I realize there is quite a lot. I hope the text has not been to dull, due to my limited English vocabulary.
-Rasmus

[Ivan Ivankovic]

Another note: This will be my only computer. I do not want to go through the trouble of having a desktop. Thus, it needs to be able to do a bit of gaming -- at least Civilization IV.

well, if you want this, then T60p would be your best choice.
Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM will be enough for years to come (of course, you can always add some more RAM).
As far as HDD is concerned, you'll get a >100GB 7200rpm HDD (Usually 100 or 120GB). If you don't think that's enough, then buy an aditional one (I don't know how the HDD upgrade works in laptops) or get an external USB drive (my recommendation).
I have T60p with FlexView, it's brilliant.
And it's very "transportable".

[RasmusP]

Hi Ivan,
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I would get C2D processor and 2 GB of RAM plus 100GB 7200 RPM Hdd.

As far as HDD is concerned, you'll get a >100GB 7200rpm HDD (Usually 100 or 120GB). If you don't think that's enough, then buy an aditional one (I don't know how the HDD upgrade works in laptops) or get an external USB drive (my recommendation).

I would get the Hdd Ultrabay "adapter" and plug in another 100 Gb 7200 Rpm hdd for my music collection and photos.

[ucsdmike]

if you are planning to take it to class...

smaller screens means more battery life, less weight, less volume.

here's my suggestion for your school laptop. go for a 14" bare bones t60 or or 12" x60. get a gig of ram (low ram = more battery life). get the slowest core 2 duo (slower processor = more battery life). 5400 rpm drive = more battery life too.

with the extra $1000-$1200 you save, get a small desktop pc (maybe a mini pc), with a 19" monitor that puts any laptop monitor to shame. problem solved.

[Ivan Ivankovic]

if you are planning to take it to class...

smaller screens means more battery life, less weight, less volume.

he still need his eyes, though...
Rasmus, what are you going to study? My guess is Computer Science. If you're gonna do a lot of programming, then go for the 15" FlexView screen, it's a miracle.
It strains your eyes less.

here's my suggestion for your school laptop. go for a 14" bare bones t60 or or 12" x60. get a gig of ram (low ram = more battery life). get the slowest core 2 duo (slower processor = more battery life). 5400 rpm drive = more battery life too.

oh come on...he said that will be his ONLY computer and that he want's it to last. what you're suggesting will be OK for a year or so... (he wants to play games,remember?).
I'd say go for T60p. You'll get an immense processing power. as far as battery is concered, I'm sure he has a power outlet on university.

[RasmusP]

get a small desktop pc (maybe a mini pc), with a 19" monitor that puts any laptop monitor to shame. problem solved.

I not that big a fan of desktops anymore. I can't really say why. . . It is just hard to get a desktop as satisfying as a good laptop.
Also, I doubt battery power will be a big problem.

Rasmus, what are you going to study? My guess is Computer Science. If you're gonna do a lot of programming, then go for the 15" FlexView screen, it's a miracle.
It strains your eyes less.

I will be studying economics at AAU. It has a nice blend of math and politics without the darn profs and sociology. I have thought of CS, but I only know LaTeX and some web languages (HTML, CSS etc).
I won't be doing programming, but I will still have to write and calculate. And I will still be using Emacs. All of my notes and reports will be electronic documents.

I'd say go for T60p. You'll get an immense processing power. as far as battery is concered, I'm sure he has a power outlet on university.

I am certain there will be plenty of outlets . I will be taking a 7/8/9 cell battery just in case, though.

[RonS]

I would go for the 14.1" T60. It's very easy to carry around and had great battery life. You can always pick up a Mini or Advanced Dock and work with a nice big DVI LCD display at your desk.

[Ivan Ivankovic]

All of my notes and reports will be electronic documents.[/quote]
FlexView it is...
I shall say no more.

[RasmusP]

I would go for the 14.1" T60. It's very easy to carry around and had great battery life. You can always pick up a Mini or Advanced Dock and work with a nice big DVI LCD display at your desk.

That is an option I did not consider. On the other hand one could argue that one would not need another screen with an IPS screen.
This is definitely a possibility I will consider.

Ivan, you do love your IPS screen, don't ya

Does anybody have any better pics comparing the 14" 4:3 and 15" flexview? I have only found these comparing a R50 with Flexview and a T60 14".

[asiafish]

I have the 14" SXGA+ T60 and while not a Flexview, the screen is very nice. I also have a 19" LCD on my desktop for long sessions, and consider the laptop with dock to be the ideal solution.

Don't forget, working at your desk you will also want a proper desktop keyboard and mouse. On a flexview model you would still want those, and to put the laptop on some sort of stand. The biggest ergnomic problem with laptops isn't the keyboard or the screen, its the fact that the two are so close together, forcing you to either reach up to type, or look down to view, neither of which are ergonomically correct.

My office and home both have docks wiht desktop keyboards, mice and monitors. When out and about I use the built-ins, and when at another room I frequently stay in I have a desktop keyboard, mouse and a stand to raise my laptop to proper viewing angle.

As for screen quality, the regular screens may not compare to flexview screens, but they aren't horrible. If you've never used a flexview screen (or even if you have), a regular one will still get the job done. I wouldn't give up the 14" form factor for the flexview screen.

[Ivan Ivankovic]

Ivan, you do love your IPS screen, don't ya

well, I'm being perfectly "objective" here. lol
but really. after I've seen what you need from your laptop you should get a T60p with FlexView. it'll last for years, it's fast and it's transportable (well...put at least a "little" muscle to it. )

[asiafish]

An X series is portable. A 14" T series is almost transportable. 15" is more like luggable.

[RasmusP]

The best would be if they upgraded the screen of the standart X. The resolution is to low. Also a drive would be nice. Acer and Sony has drives in their 12".