Thinkpads Forum

Woo Hoo, I got shipping notification on my T61 today!

I got it with the Vista Home Premium peload but I am toying with the idea of reformatting (after imaging the factory load) and doing a clean install of XP Pro. My machine is 2.0 Ghz, 3GB, integrated graphics.

I really have 3 concerns:
Speed
Stability - I tend to load up the laptop with apps: video, audio and graphics software (Vegas, Sound Forge, Photoshop and ancillary programs). No exotic hardware, though.
Also, I really know my way around XP, but fumble around in Vista whenever I have to do IT work on my HTPC that runs it.

Any experience/opinions out there about Vista/XP on this machine? I reckon no matter which one, it'll scream compared to my beloved T23, but I want to get the most out of it.

Thanks

well the system was designed with Vista in mind but surely XP will fly on it also. The main factor will be if any of your apps or the user benefit from any Vista features. I certainly loved XP but now with Vista i love this machine even more (until probably Windows 7 comes out )

Aloha Nolonemo!

I had the very same question. But it only took me 20 minutes and i had that Vista garbage wiped off my TPad forever. It will never again touch the clusters of any drive in that Awesome Lappy. In fact, I didn't even bother to save it before zapping.

I installed a special customised stripped out version of my XP Pro and it FLIES. Lenovo provides all the drivers perfectly. It is so fast that we have to be extremely careful when doing anything on it as you may delete or manipulate stuff in ways you weren't ready to do. This has something to do with it being the fastest system we have, way faster than even our P4 desktops. Guess it takes some getting used to. I've been experimenting with various flavors of Linux and they both work so well on this system it is phenomenal.

The pluses of all this are: XP will take up less space and run everything you need and more for *any* IT work. Less bloat makes for more space, better stability and increased speed. Of course we all must learn (ugh) Vista for support purposes but i refuse to use it on my own production systems. I just 'play' with it using CRU DataPort drive bays when i need to "broaden" my knowledge.

I use most of the apps you mentioned along with some others, and i can assure you, that they will all run well on this with integrated video. I've also switched the main drive to the 320 GB WD Scorpio and installed another one in the Multi-bay which will give you over 600 GBs in the Lappy at the same time. They never get hot and run like crazy. Combined with another 320 External, it is mind boggling what you can do with this amazing TPad. I also can vouch for the LG external Slim GSA-E50L and i've used other full size external DVD burners in external enclosures. I opted for the Combo drive for the multi-bay so it can read disks faster when needed. No need the DVD burner multi with so many external capabilities. Just make sure you get a good USB Hub

I hope you enjoy your new TPad !!