Thinkpads Forum

Ordered my T61p (6460 6XG) on the 23rd of July. Should have shipped 17 Aug, but on the 16th they let me know they need LCD stock and would receive it on the 31 Aug. Then it should sip 3rd Sep. I sit in South Africa, so shipping takes about 7 days and then you wait for customs. I can get an HP 8510w that's almost the exact spec as the T61p, but it has a T7700 CPU instead of the T7500, and also 1x2GB RAM, not 2x1GB, which makes upgrading much easier. The HP is also about R2280 ($325) cheaper than the Lenovo, and I can get it within 1 day.

What should I do. Wait, or get the HP. How is the HP build quality. Is the Lenovo really worth the wait, for lower specs and more expensive. My current notebook has an broken LCD, so I work via external screen. Really crap.

There really isn't a lot technical difference in the specs (except that you can get the HP with V5600 as an option) and the HP should be fairly well-built as well, even if it doesn't have the roll cages. And it looks like the 8510w is aggressively priced, at least in South Africa.

So it may be that the biggest thing you give up with the HP is these support forums -- there really isn't anything like these for the other notebook manufacturers. Notebookreview.com is out there, but while they have forums, they are, hmmm, different.

All that said, assuming the money is not an issue, I would wait for a few weeks to get the one I really want -- I did that with my X61 as well.

I am looking at the specs of the HP on this page. The HP comes in two resolutions, WSXGA+ and WUXGA. Is the model you're considering cheaper than the WUXGA T61p just because it has WSXGA+? Compare the specs on that page with T61p's specs in the Tabook downloadable from this site to see which one meets your needs better. If I were in your situation, I would go for the HP. The two units weigh about the same. The HP has four USB ports vs. the T61p's three, and I do need more than three every now and then. The HP is cheaper and I can get it sooner. And I've never used an HP laptop before, so it would be fun to try something new. But don't let me influence your decision!

Hi

I would take the HP, build Quality is good, perhaps not as good as Lenovo but still very good.
Does the Lenovo has HDMI? the HP has...
The Batterie runtime seams much higher,
don't know why Lenovo doesn't get these too.
the best would be to compare both side by side in a store.

cu

pianowizard wrote:I am looking at the specs of the HP on this page. The HP comes in two resolutions, WSXGA+ and WUXGA. Is the model you're considering cheaper than the WUXGA T61p just because it has WSXGA+? Compare the specs on that page with T61p's specs in the Tabook downloadable from this site to see which one meets your needs better. If I were in your situation, I would go for the HP. The two units weigh about the same. The HP has four USB ports vs. the T61p's three, and I do need more than three every now and then. The HP is cheaper and I can get it sooner. And I've never used an HP laptop before, so it would be fun to try something new. But don't let me influence your decision!

This is the specs for the HP I'm looking at.
8510w Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4G) 2048MB DDRII 667MHz 1 DIMM 120 GB 7200rpm LightScribe DVD+/-RW DL SuperMulti - Fixed Bluetooth Module Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n mini-pci card Fingerprint Reader Integrated Smart Card Reader Integrated TPM Security Module 15.4 WUXGA WVA NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M 256MB Windows XP Pro 3~3~0 8510w Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4G) 2048MB DDRII 667MHz 1 DIMM 120 GB 7200rpm LightScribe DVD+/-RW DL SuperMulti - Fixed Bluetooth Module Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n mini-pci card Fingerprint Reader Integrated Smart Card Reader Integrated TPM Security Module 15.4 WUXGA WVA NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M 256MB (512MB TurboCache Windows XP Pro 3~3~0

Hope this help with the decision

hmm i would go for hp. it seems there is quite a bit of people in this forum who use them. im sure you could get some help in the off-topic section

I had a chance to feel HP 8510p (not w) side by side to T61p. Comaparatively, the build quality on thinkpad was better, the keyboard feel was top notch (as always), if you're new to thinkpads you should note, thinkpad's keyboards are one of the main features that lures thinkpad fans to keep coming back to these machines again and again.

Anyways the HP machine kept whining (heat/noise) when put to use with intensive heavier loads, on the other hand T61p remained clean as a whistle no matter how much it was tortured with.

I hope it helps somehow in your decision making process. Lastly good things do come with some wait and IMHO it's worth it.

I have a T61p 15.4". I ordered a T61 for my dad on July 12, after several delays and a new "maybe" date of Sept 3, I cancelled the T61.

I went to the Sony store and got him a Vaio. The specs on the Vaio are lower - slower disk, slower processor, vista home premium (vs Ultimate),. The Vaio has a built in camera - also 15.4 - lower rez screen.

I set it up for him and I am impressed - boots faster than my T61p and the screen is gorgeous - brite colors.

He did not need all the features on the T61 - he needed a machine sooner. I know there are many variables, but I have been very dissapointed with the screen on the TP61p and the lack of perceived speed on it.

With the matching specs you describe plus the HDMI and one 2GB memory, I would choose the HP

I'd just like to say...

I know you are talking about a T61.... But since it was a comparison with an HP, I thought I'd chime in.

(1) I have a T60p.... 2007-94u.... I'm having "extended warranty --on-site service" over tomorrow to look at (a) SERIOUS Heat Problems; (2) Audio out Problems; (3) Video Card issues

(2) not the first issue with the machine.....

(3) Prior to this,.... I had a Completely dead T43p... that's how I got this T60p.... Lenovo "SWAT Team" couldn't fix the T43p problem..... They actually sent it back to me broken... didn't even check it first... I was so glad I had "on site service"...


With the port limitations, naturally I have a Dock for the T60p... except it has an audio out signal problem......

a replacement arrived today... great --except it's got a different problem... Joy... Trading bad for different bad.... and not the first time

WHEN I BOUGHT THE T60p, I bought my wife a HP dv9000t... Same basic config (a bit lower), but a 17" screen.... 100gig drive, intel 1.86 dual core (nVidia 256mg card) .... 2gig RAM, Bluetooth, etc... PLUS it came with the ports I needed to pay extra for the T60p dock in order to get.....

Personally.... I like prefer working on the T60p keypad, and looking at the screen... It's sweet....

But I bet I've spent three weeks on the phone with Atlanta about this machine...and now a visit..... (or a mail them your computer, if you don't give them the money)

My wifes HP?...... I've never called HP tech support --not once.... it just keeps running.... NO PROBLEMS.....

Keyboard and screen aren't as cool, fit and finish isn't as tight.... ... they aren't --but they aren't a huge issue

THE FLIP SIDE IS..... THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE HP MACHINE... NONE.... ZERO.... IT JUST WORKS... NOT ONE CALL FOR TECH SUPPORT... NOT ONE "WAIT ON THE PHONE TREE".... NOT ONE "WE'LL NEED TO MAIL YOU...."..... NOT ONE, "WE'LL BE OUT TO YOUR HOUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM"

Maybe with the T61 Lenovo Learned... What HP seemed to already know... Good looks + High Maintenance = Unreliable Pain in the Butt, and lots of customer Frustration, Time loss, etc. ....

versus.... Rock Solid and Better than just OK" looking business class machine.... "You ain't a beauty, but hey you're all right.... "

I'm actually here today trying to solve the audio problems..... on the dock... have a good day